In this article, Catherine Snow, Twakia Martin, and Ilene Berman describe professional development institutes offered in 2001 and 2002 by the Harvard Graduate School of Education and the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices to familiarize state-level policymakers with research on adolescent literacy and to guide states'…

In this article, Michele Moses and Lauren Saenz explore a growing trend in education policymaking--the ballot initiative. Specifically, the authors question whether information presented to voters is sufficiently substantive to permit educated decisionmaking about influential policies. Their study, a content analysis of print news media related to…

The article draws from 199 sources on assessment, learning, and motivation to present a detailed decomposition of the values, theories, and goals of formative assessment. This article will discuss the extent to which formative feedback actualizes and reinforces self-regulated learning (SRL) strategies among students. Theoreticians agree that SRL…

This article argues that there are global pressures for modernization of the education workforce that produce broadly similar policy responses and pressures on the teaching profession. It suggests, however that these "travelling" policies are mediated by the "embedded" practices and cultures of different systems to produce particular "local"…

A review of the articles on modernization in Australia, England, New Zealand, Scotland and the USA demonstrates and discusses the complexity attached to the concept. This also enables a better understanding of the contention and controversy that surrounds the concept and its application to educational policy and practice. Modernization policies in…

In this article, four urban high school students and their student leadership and social justice class advisor address the question, "What are high school students' perspectives on the 2001 No Child Left Behind Act's (NCLB) definition of a highly qualified teacher?" As the advisor to the course, Garcia challenged her students to examine their high…

The study was undertaken with the objective of assessing groups influence on management style as related to University governance with University of Agriculture, Makurdi as a case study from academic staff perspective. The management style of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi between the period September 3, 1996 to…

Provides sociological analysis of recent documents on social education in Scotland. Argues that sociological theory underpinning prescriptions for social education takes no account of social inequalities and social conflict in both education and society. Explores contradictions between social education and meritocratic individualism. Discusses…

Regional surveys of 32 Scottish schools, case study of 153 fourth-year pupils in 1 school, and post-school sampling of 68 individuals revealed similarities in organization but differences in aims, approaches, and attitudes toward leisure education. School-sponsored programs had little influence on leisure time use of adolescents or in post-school…

Demonstrates that while the concept of special educational need as set forth in Scotland's 1981 Education Act may be useful in day-to-day decision-making, it is too vague and value-laden to sustain the extremely formal structure laid down in statute. (NEC)

Outlines current bilingual provisions, practices, and programs for the teaching of Gaelic at the preschool, primary, secondary, and higher educational levels of Scotland. Discusses curriculum development, resources and support structures. Classifies government policy toward bilingual education as one of "benevolent neutrality." (NEC)

Discusses issues that need to be addressed if Scotland is to nationally implement a system of workplace accreditation: standards, assessment, assessment records, equipment, timing, and module fit. Concludes that unless educators, who possess formal assessment expertise, take the initiative, development may forge ahead without them. (NEC)