Reviews the positions of the National Education Association on merit pay and on establishment of independent teacher certification boards and explains how those positions contrast with Myron Lieberman's proposal (EA 519 376) for the creation of national educational specialty boards to recognize outstanding teaching. (PGD)

Suggests that teachers establish educational achievement expectations for their students, that administrators review these expectations for appropriateness, and that teachers who exceed reasonable expectations be rewarded from special state-disbursed supplemental funds. (PGD)

Describes the Committee for Economic Development; its interest in education; its conviction that carefully designed, high quality education will enhance the nation's economic development; and its reasons for recommending educational reform from the bottom up, emphasizing liberal education, and urging funding of enriched preschool experience for…

A fictional "look back" at changes in education from 1985 to 2005 predicts that the "excellence" movement and the "microcomputer revolution" will have peaked in 1985 and given way to a "productive schools reformation" based on more practical uses of many new forms of technology. (PGD)

Fictional account of changes in educational technology between 1985 and 2005. Focuses on appropriate uses for and teaching about computers, the need for developing thinking skills in students, and the need for developing policies regarding educating for an age of biotechnology. (PGD)

A fictional letter "written" in 2005 laments the success of educational movements that, in the name of productivity, have placed increasing authority over curriculum in the hands of central government, leading to a homogenization of thinking and a dulling of creativity. (PGD)

Asks what changes can be expected in the curriculum by the year 2005, and whether that curriculum will include the study of the technological transformation that is making new modes of teaching and learning possible. (PGD)

Notes the harm caused by exaggerated reports of violence in schools, clarifies the distinction between violence and discipline problems, provides a perspective on the actual extent of these problems, describes factors encouraging good school discipline, and suggests reasonable approaches for governments and schools to take. (PGD)

Describes cultural factors negatively affecting black students' abilities to achieve success in school according to prevailing standards, and suggests using the differences between black culture and "school culture" positively to develop new means of educating black students that will enhance the students' chances of success. (PGD)

The second half of a dialogue between two fictional teachers examines the significance of statistical significance in research and considers the factors affecting the extent to which research results provide important or useful information. (PGD)

Describes the Graduate Urban Education Program collaboratively developed by the school of Education at Florida International University, the Dade County (Florida) Public Schools, and the United Teachers of Dade for teachers in Chapter 1 elementary schools. The program helps teachers apply their professional training sucessfully in the urban…

Describes the first year of a program conducted by two Oregon institutions of higher education that "warranty" their teacher education graduates. The program provides support to graduates and their employers, encourages collaboration between the teacher education program and local schools, makes the teacher education faculty accountable, and…

Cites several factors undermining the value of "warranty" programs intended to ensure that teacher education institutions will stand behind their graduates and provide support to the districts that employ them. Suggests shifts in focus that could make first year teacher support programs effective. (PGD)

A survey of Wisconsin school districts showed that teacher resignation rates were quite low. Smaller districts faced the highest number of resignations. Resigning teachers tended to be rated by their supervisors as above average. The study results suggest that fears of "teacher flight" may be exaggerated. (PGD)

Citing the rising frequency of automobile recalls as proof of the decline of the automobile industry, this article humorously proposes six suggestions for reforming the industry. The suggestions are remarkably similar to recent proposals for the reform of schooling. (PGD)