In recent case studies, teachers' strong endorsement of National Board standards highlights the importance of encouraging policies that will increase participation and success rates and contribute to their equitable distribution. However, teachers face significant problems due to inadequate information and wide variations in available support…

Countless good ideas, research, and reforms (silver bullets) have yielded only modest improvement, suggesting problems of research (dogma, design, duration, and domain) and problems of distribution--expanded teacher responsibility. This article recommends revamping teacher education, remediating or firing incompetent teachers, and reducing class…

Cites excerpts from three peer-reviewed studies on the Milwaukee voucher program that contradict John Witte's arguments in a September 1999 "Kappan" article. Results (incorporation of low-income families, parents' satisfaction with private/parochial schools, and student improvement on math achievement measures) justify the program's expansion.…

Howard Fuller misinterpreted the author's remarks regarding feasibility of expanding the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program. Since parochial schools were not included in the original math achievement study, results cannot be generalized to a broader voucher program. Fuller also distorted the 4th-year math effect found by other researchers. (MLH)

Developed and constructed by individual teachers, Foxfire is an active, learning-centered approach that defines an interactive relationship among teachers, learners, and curriculum and involves learners in deciding how they will learn, assess what they learn, and apply their knowledge meaningfully. Tenets and implementation steps are discussed.…

Public education is not highly supported by the American public, who put economics first. The GI Bill and Cold War era prove that point. Schools have suffered from bad press, ultraconservatism, provincialism, teacher nonprofessionalism, commercialism, gambling, student fundraising, misplaced government/parental priorities, an uninviting work…

Few great ideas to guide school practice are totally new. Conscientious educators have hit some good chords over the years; the challenge is recapturing that music and building a (pedagogical) symphony around it. Philosophical ideas about teachers' views of children, curriculum, teachers, and organizational structures are discussed. (MLH)

What occurs in most schools and colleges is a ritual pretense lacking substance. Test scores and memorized facts mean little. John Dewey felt that education must be a continuous expansion of a web of connections and understanding that continues throughout one's life. Wisdom is education's true goal. (MLH)

Productivity growth (and its connections with schools) may be mysterious, but experts continue to document an expanding U.S. economy. A University of Wisconsin study described in the Fall 1999 "ERS Spectrum" found a mismatch between teachers' actual and recommended grading practices. Maybe the literature is unreasonable. (MLH)

A protracted case involving a high-achieving ADHD student who was judged eligible for Section 504 assistance, but not for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act assistance, demonstrates confusing overlaps between programs, problems with overidentifying students as disabled, and the high costs of "legalizing" special education. (Contains 12…

Teachers' eyes glaze over when conversation turns to how international trade agreements might affect public education. Industry Canada says GATS (General Agreement on Trade in Services) will open up new markets in postsecondary education without damaging elementary/secondary education. MAI was deflected, but WTO agreements pose threats. (MLH)

Inner-city schools are faced with an expensive task: retrofitting older school buildings with the electrical outlets and wiring necessary to provide students with Internet access. Educators must resolve to raise needed funds, establish and support community-access centers, and develop programs that teach Internet access options. (MLH)

According to Annenburg Institute consultants, all education community members need the responsibility and authority to take appropriate leadership roles. Effective schools develop a shared vision, determine clear priorities, promote continuous professional learning, link schools to community assets, provide strong accountability, and reorganize…

The superintendent of Coventry (Rhode Island) Schools explains how he converted annual town meetings from uncivil, interminable budget-slashing sessions to expressions of community support for student-centered reforms and a construction/renovation bond issue. The board grasped assessment difficulties by taking state-mandated tests for…

An assistant principal describes longterm benefits from her mentoring relationship with the principal of Santa Monica (California) High School. Chagrined at her principal's close, hands-on supervisory style, the assistant principal gradually gained experience and confidence. She learned that leadership is about serving others, compassion, and…