The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) establish a challenging text-complexity standard for all high school graduates to read at college and workplace text-complexity levels. We argue that implementation of the CCSS standard requires concurrent examination of historical student reading-growth trends. An example of a historical student average…

The Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts have prompted enormous attention to issues of text complexity. The purpose of this article is to put text complexity in perspective by moving from a primary focus on the text itself to a focus on the comprehension of complex text. We argue that a focus on comprehension is at the heart of…

Examines role of community in school-based school, family, and community partnerships. Presents a definition of school- community collaboration, identifies gaps in current knowledge, and analyzes survey data to learn more about types of community partners and the challenges schools face in developing partnerships. Discusses steps needed in…

The Third International Mathematics and Science Study Video Study of Teaching compared teacher development systems in the U.S., Japan, and Germany. Findings indicated that many American teachers believe they are changing the way they teach while they retain traditional practices. A research and development system was proposed for improving…

Identified preferred writing topics for 600 students in grades, 4, 6, and 8 and gender markers used to identify authors of 9 stories written by other students. Found that students situated girls' writing within primary territory; viewed girls as more competent, conscientious writers than boys; and associated the presence of violence with male…

Surveyed 200 superintendents in 15 U.S. states about parent involvement policies and programs. Found that the most commonly reported policies were to communicate with parents about their child's progress and school programs and to provide parents with opportunities to be decision makers. Districts with greater percentages of at-risk students were…

Maintains that, despite common criticisms of the American school system from politicians and business, schools are generally serving constituents' needs well. Suggests that attacks on the school system appear excessive and maintains that motivations beyond enhancing achievement must drive the enthusiasm for raising standards in American schools.…

Proposes an index of school performance to assess progress in meeting goals of academic achievement, equity of educational outcomes, citizenship, social ethics, and health. Details relative weights: core academic outcomes, 40 percent; citizenship, health, teamwork, and social ethics, 25 percent; school completion, teacher qualifications, and…

Argues that contemporary society is increasingly experiencing a loss of social capital. Maintains that this loss takes expression in the increasing tendency, as reflected in school reforms and restructuring, of regarding teachers' work in technical terms. Advocates regarding teaching as a social practice in which there is greater emphasis on…

Maintains that educators should broaden their conception of competence and their thinking about desired educational outcomes. Argues that schools must become places where all students, not just the higher academic performers, can cultivate their skills, feel competent, and experience success. Suggests strategies for implementing a broader…

Suggests a new conceptualization of homework as a task that infiltrates family and peer dynamics and the nature of teaching in community organizations and in school. Argues that homework has important benefits for peer communication, thereby increasing a sense of community. Asserts that students can develop an aptitude for future homework from the…

Introduces this special issue on non-subject matter outcomes of schooling. Provides a historical and current context for the argument that schools should emphasize non-subject matter outcomes more than they currently do. Includes discussion of the putative decline of public education, the debate on private versus public schools, and citizens'…

Discusses three classes of nonacademic outcomes to foster in students: (1) social, ethical, and civic dispositions; (2) attitudes toward school and learning motivation; and (3) metacognitive skills. Provides guidance about how to accomplish these goals. Suggests that this broader school reform agenda will promote dispositions needed to sustain a…

Focuses on girls' education through observations of two teachers believed to be moving toward creating a moral framework for structuring humane treatment, respectful social relations, and authentic learning for all students. Concludes with recommendations for how teachers can assume moral authority to create inclusive, caring, and participatory…

Contends that schools are obligated to address unique needs of homosexual youth because of their increased risk for suicide, abuse from peers, truancy, dropping out of school, and lower self-esteem. Proposes that schools develop a diversity room and have a diversity room specialist to meet needs of homosexual adolescents and to encourage a safe,…