The Indiana State Assessment System, new for the 1995-96 school year, will emphasize student-constructed answers in both language arts and mathematics in grades 3, 4, 8, 10, and 12. Optional classroom performance assessments will be available for grades 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, and 11. Local diagnostic tests will be available at the same grades as the…

Messy, real-life problems provide the starting point for learning in a radically transformed instructional environment. In problem-based learning (PBL), students in educational administration classes--aspiring and current principals--jointly decide how to deal with the problems and learn leadership skills by facilitating collaboration and building…

Illinois' school-reform act of 1985 authorized the development of an Administrators Academy for training principals to evaluate teachers and for training superintendents to evaluate principals. Renewal of school administrators' certification was contingent upon attendance. Some practitioners, educators, and state association directors began to…

This paper describes a project at the Lone Star Elementary School in Jacksonville, Florida developed to jointly investigate the effects of specific computer technology and training on: (1) teaching and learning in a first and second grade classroom; (2) the professional development of directing teachers and teaching interns; and (3) the university…

These three newsletter issues provide organizational news from the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition, the organization that administers the program that awards the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential to caregivers. Each issue provides a CDA profile of an exceptional educator or caregiver and a listing of CDA training…

A 3-day working conference on adult mathematical literacy took a first step toward ensuring that all adults acquire the mathematical skills they need to function on the job and in society, to achieve personal goals, and to support their children's education. Participants were adult educators involved in numeracy-related instruction, teacher…

As part of an effort to improve the image of Mercer County Community College, in New Jersey, a faculty member conducted interviews of 15 colleagues and 4 students to determine their perceptions of the college. Participants were asked about their present attitudes towards the college, their views when they first began, what the college does best,…

"Strong leadership" is almost always listed as an attribute of successful schools. To learn the views of outstanding school leaders, each regional representative of the U.S. Department of Education (USED) convened a meeting of 25-30 local educators well known for their leadership in sustained school-improvement efforts. The groups were composed of…

This report on professional development of English teachers discusses the Dimensions of Teaching as a basis for the judging of performance in the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards [for] Early Adolescence/English Language Arts (NBPTS EA/ELA) assessment. The report focuses on how the professional literature on Models of Teacher…

Portfolios are increasingly being used to demonstrate competence and to show development needs among employees in organizations. This book explains what a portfolio is and how it links with the current training revolution taking place through the introduction of National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) in Great Britain. It shows how portfolios…

TEAMS Distance Learning is an Educational Telecommunications Network service of the Los Angeles County Office of Education (California). It provides live, interactive instructional telecasts for students in grades two through six and their teachers and parents across the United States and in Canada. This evaluation summary consists of an overview…

The need to respond to changing student clientele, new educational technologies, and increasing demands to do more with fewer resources presents serious challenges for two-year college faculty and can negatively effect faculty vitality and commitment. Faculty vitality, however, has been shown to be significantly related to the vitality and…

This practical handbook focuses on interpersonal skills that will increase the effectiveness of recent library school graduates, paraprofessional librarians, and aides who have assumed the role of managing small public or school libraries. It describes numerous techniques that librarians can use to become better leaders and offers specific…

These 4 issues of the English Leadership Quarterly comprise volume 16, published during 1994. Articles in number 1 deal with practical advice, and include: "The Law of Privacy and the Writing Teacher" (Ben T. Allen); Beware of Teachers Who Laminate Their Lesson Plans and Other Useful Suggestions about Teaching" (Robert Perrin);…

This paper deals with the policy parameters of establishing distance education networks in New Zealand. The current decentralized educational system is described, including the role of the state through the Ministry of Education, funding and resource allocations, and staffing. Discussion includes the contracting out to third parties for the…