A review of four articles concludes that the work of literacy workers is not valued, partly because of its identification as "women's work." Challenges to its recognition are lack of funding, worker reluctance to organize for change, and overwork and part-time status. (SK)

This article describes performance-based assessment as expounded by its proponents, comments on these conceptions, reviews evidence regarding the technical quality of performance-based assessment, and considers its validity under various policy options. (JDD)

This article argues that neither the core curriculum movement or the multicultural education movement adequately address the problem of minority groups who do not do well in public schools. Minorities whose cultural frames of reference are oppositional to the American mainstream cultural frame of reference have greater difficulty crossing cultural…

This article examines the unique organizational structure of middle schools and the historical context leading to their development. A true middle school is described as providing personalized curricula for the learning needs of diverse learners through use of problem-oriented interdisciplinary teams and flexible grouping practices. (JDD)

Performance standards are a powerful means to begin the process of systemic educational change. An educational culture must be created in which standards become the internalized goals of everyone in the system. Principles for developing internalized standards are discussed, along with appropriate government roles. (JDD)

This paper on improvement of schools calls for a broad-based coalition of collaborating parties to articulate a clear moral educational mission and to promote for each community a healthy ecology of educational institutions directed toward this mission, redefinition of schools' role in this ecology, and redesign of teacher education. (JDD)

This paper suggests methodologies and guidelines appropriate for evaluating projects in the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Program. The paper aims to help projects carry out their evaluations, assist the Javits staff in determining the success of the evaluations, and aid in long-range program planning. (JDD)

Presents examples that recognize young children's technological prowess and support the case for including two significant curriculum perspectives: an intellectual-processes perspective and a social-expression perspective. Contains 34 references. (Author/PVD)

Identifies two frameworks that limit teachers' vision: (1) a transmission perspective on learning; and (2) a limiting conception of and anxious approach to technology. This study helped teachers break free of these restraints by providing an opportunity to become learners in a technological context based on developmentalist views of teaching and…

Describes results of questionnaire studies of children's ideas on which species most warrant conservation and why. When six animals meriting conservation were presented, children listed them in the following order: whale, panda, elephant, monkey, shark, and crocodile. The study showed that children tend to be most influenced toward the worthiness…

Suggests that contrary to popular perception, children are becoming increasingly alienated from the natural environment, especially for play. A study done in Leeds, United Kingdom investigates how the outdoor play of today's children differs from that of their parents' generation. Findings include issues for planners and landscape architects…

Argues that there is an urgent need to develop and agree upon a theory of knowledge able to direct human actions on defensible grounds, offers a brief statement of the essentials of such a theory, and summarizes the implications of accepting such a theory, particularly for teaching and for systematic criticism of intellectual performance at all…

Offers suggestions for a restructured preservice teacher education curriculum in South Africa and ideas for an integrated, thematic approach to teacher education. Outlines personal and professional characteristics of effective teachers, discusses the aims of teacher education, and proposes a three-year teacher education curriculum that includes…

Argues, based on a constructivist view of learning, that if knowledge is constructed rather than recorded as received, instruction must be viewed as creating learning environments that enhance the process of knowledge construction, and should guide, support, and accompany students in constructing an increasingly sophisticated understanding of…

Examines the concept of a "people's university" in the South African context, focusing particularly on the role of historically black universities. Argues that South African blacks feel universities in general do not reflect their views, values, and aspirations, and that black universities should be more representative in their governance…