The first of two sections discusses two major factors compelling a rethinking of school finance: standards-based education and the shift from equity to adequacy in school-finance litigation. The second section summarizes five compilations of research findings related to these two factors. (PKP)

Based on the preliminary results of research conducted by the Consortium for Policy Research in Education and Stanford's Bridge Project, authors suggest several ways that K-12 schools and postsecondary education could integrate policies and data to improve student academic opportunities and success from kindergarten to college graduate 16 years…

Review of suit brought by high school basketball player against Iowa school district claiming the district was guilty of negligent misrepresentation. High school counselor advised student to take a communications course, saying it would satisfy NCAA core English requirements, but he later found out it did not, resulting in his loss of a…

Discusses 12 essential principles to help schools teach democratic values in a multicultural society. Derived from findings of the Multicultural Education Consensus Panel to review and synthesize research on diversity, principles are organized into five categories: Teacher learning; student learning; intergroup relations; school governance,…

Critical analysis of recent National Reading Panel report on teaching children to read based on meta-analysis of research on reading instruction. Asserts that because of problems with meta-analysis and interpretation, report's findings should not form sole basis for reading-instruction policy and legislation. Proposes four reading propositions.…

Describes early childhood education reform policies in England based on recent report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Explores implications of these government reform initiatives for early childhood education in the United States. (Contains 39 references.) (PKP)

Reviews evolution and cultural context of early childhood education services and policies in Italy since late 19th century. Describes several features of Italian programs. Suggests that United States early childhood education programs and policies could benefit from many aspects of the Italian experience. (Contains 25 references.) (PKP)

Examines early childhood education policies and programs in Sweden. Describes national social and political values that form foundation for Swedish early childhood education system. Discusses shortcomings of U.S. early childhood education programs. Draws implications of Swedish early childhood education experience for the United States. (Contains…

Reviews comparative study of early childhood education policy and services in 12 countries produced by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Discusses seven major cross-national issues and key elements of successful early childhood education policies. Draws implications for the United States. (Contains 11 references.) (PKP)

Discusses the state of the mathematics textbook market and the debate surrounding the efforts to improve mathematics instruction, including the standards-based mathematics curriculum supported by the National Science Foundation. (Contains 12 references.) (PKP)

Describes six characteristics of standards-based mathematics curriculum materials. Materials are comprehensive, are coherent, develop ideas in depth, promote sense-making, engage students, and motivate learning. Explains interrelationship among these characteristics. Draws implications for the teaching of mathematics. (Contains 20 references.)…

Critical review of California's standards-aligned mathematics textbook-adoption process. Concludes that emphasis on skills-based drills aligned with standardized tests will dominate mathematics instruction in California. Hopes the other states will not follow California's example. (Contains 31 references.) (PKP)

Describes facts and law leading to Third Circuit Court of Appeals decision to remand for trial a middle-school teacher's claim that suburban Philadelphia school district retaliated against her for advocating the raising of multicultural awareness, thus violating her First Amendment rights of free speech. Discusses implications for teachers and…

Summarizes findings and data about income level and equality of educational opportunities, conditions of Alabama school facilities, and factors affecting a student's level of academic orientation in high school. (PKP)

Describes five problems that contribute to causing schools to ignore their guiding statements and recommends six ways to solve them. Concludes with an example of an ideal set of guiding statements. (PKP)