Argues that teachers should spend their time on finding and sharing their passion for teaching rather than on looking for something practical that works in the classroom. (PKP)

A mother and daughter share their insights on what American schools can learn about cooperative, student-centered, problem-solving approaches to instruction from the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the Harry Potter books. (Contains 11 references.) (PKP)

Discusses contents of new publication released by the International Technology Education Association: "Advancing Excellence in Technology Literacy: Student Assessment, Professional Development, and Program Standards," intended to provide the means for implementing technology standards published in 2000 ("Standards for Technology Literacy") in K-12…

Describes the Yellow School Bus Project, a community program jointly sponsored by religious, civic, fraternal, business, and nonprofit organizations in Durham, New Hampshire, to provide homeless children with supplies and clothes to help them succeed in school. (PKP)

Describes undetected and uncorrected vision problems for children in poverty associated with juvenile delinquency and poor academic performance. Discusses success of a project offering vision screening and free glasses for at-risk students in Tucson, Arizona. (PKP)

Describes five types of curriculum differentiation identified in tracking research based on analysis of case study databases of the Third International Mathematics and Science Study. Case studies include interviews with educators, parents, and students in Germany, Japan, and the United States. Compares parental influence on student tracking…

Analyzes complex Minnesota case wherein the state intermediate, appellate court upheld (2-1) juvenile court's order that a high school student expelled for making a bomb threat pay the district's tutoring costs and attorney's fees. (PKP)

Suggests books for summer reading for Department of Education officials involved in closing all 16 ERIC Clearinghouses or touting the superiority of a Christian education, standardized test-makers, planners of the Gates Foundation, and the creator of the Algebra Project. For example, suggests that standardized test-makers read William Bennett's…

Discusses Utah's competency-based education bill (S.B. 154). Includes graduation requirements, role of local boards, task force charge, alternative teacher certification, state education summit, state board of education role in the bill's implementation. (PKP)

Questions value of high school curriculum unit titled "Investing in Your Future," designed by Canadian investment industry to teach students about the stock market and how to invest in it. (Contains 21 references.) (PKP)

Argues that American corporations support the education standards and high-stakes testing movement to serve their global economic interests. Calls for strong teacher opposition. (Contains 34 references.) (PKP)

Analyzes 13 different recently published research-based lists of the characteristics of effective professional development. Finds little agreement on criteria for "effectiveness," equivocating statements, and oversimplification. Calls for reaching agreement on "effectiveness" and providing clear descriptions of important contextual elements of…

Provides assessment-driven, six-stage professional development model that links adult-learning goals with student-learning outcomes. (PKP)

Case study of professional development linked to the teaching of reading and writing at a small elementary school in Harlem. Draws following implications for school, district, and state policymakers: Make time for teachers to collaborate, provide instructional demonstrations, provide literacy training focused on the "Big Ideas," and hire…

Describes two recent trends in professional development: (1) external teacher professional networks aimed at improving teacher content-area instruction, collaboration, and leadership skills and (2) internal school-reform networks focused on developing change structures and teacher forums. Includes two change-oriented elementary schools in…