Theory suggests that effective teachers should possess a vision for teaching, but the reality of teaching within the current educational policy climate raises questions about teachers' autonomy of their instructional decisions and ultimately their personal convictions for teaching. This exploratory study examines 11 teachers' visions of…

Globalization significantly influences the very notion of citizenship that is no longer universally seen as only a nation-related concept. Therefore, the discourse of global citizenship is getting more attention in programmatic educational texts and curricula. This study investigates how teachers use the conceptual framework of global citizenship…

Although researchers have studied the effectiveness of single-sex education (SSE), the findings have been mixed. This exploratory study reports the perceived goals and effectiveness of single-sex education based on interviews with a small group of educators involved with SSE in various ways. Research participants included a school principal and…

The purpose of this research was to determine how teachers and administrators in a successful North Carolina district perceived the purpose and value of a school improvement plan (SIP) and the planning process. The SIP is the accepted best practice for school-wide improvement, and the perceptions of the purpose and value of the process…

Educators have a responsibility to teach students not only to be knowledgeable and intelligent, but also to use their knowledge and intelligence in ethical ways; that is, to be wise. In this essay, I first describe why we need to teach for ethical behavior. Then, I discuss how we can teach for ethical behavior. Finally, I draw some conclusions.

The 2007 reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act in the United States has provided additional incentive to sustain attention on this law. Based on a review of the literature, this article highlights some objectives of the act and identifies shortcomings associated with the type of assessments the act endorses. Because these assessments…

Schools of education increasingly are using contingent faculty members to instruct students. Contingent faculty members bring expertise and knowledge. However, because they often are less aware of university expectations, their instruction can magnify program weaknesses and overshadow strengths. To strengthen program infrastructure, the roles and…

The International Review of Curriculum and Assessment Frameworks in 18 countries identified trends related to participation and engagement: responsiveness, inclusion, and curricular differentiation; key skills; and creativity development and citizenship education. Common economic and social pressures are leading to some convergence among nations.…

Charter schools play an important role in promoting school choice, thus attracting parents of children with disabilities. A number of charter schools, however, are unprepared to meet the needs of children with disabilities. This article explores potential reasons for this phenomenon and presents suggestions for charter schools and parents.

The first of Goals 2000, "all children in America will start school ready to learn," has been problematic to measure because of the ambiguity of "all,""start,""ready," and "learn." A more measurable and appropriate statement would be "all primary schools will be able to provide developmentally and academically appropriate programs geared to the…

The priorities regarding extracurricular activities are seriously distorted. For example, yearbooks, like sports, are becoming too expensive, time consuming, and mere public relations tools. Education and student enjoyment should be the first priorities for extracurricular activities. (SK)

Current reports and recommendations on needed improvements in American secondary education, part of a long history of criticisms of the high school and of proposals for its reform, were discussed. (Author/RK)

Discusses the development and application of a model of cooperation-competition in an undergraduate college class as well as its theoretical framework and programmatic implications. (Author/RK)

Raises several issues which impede a more fruitful discussion of programs that merge career preparation, socialization, and personal development of undergraduates; the confusion that has evolved among the terms "liberal arts college,""liberal arts," and "liberal education"; and the effects of a changing clientele on American college campuses.…

Suggestions for developing procedures prior to the implementation of local school control plans were discussed. (Author/RK)