Discusses results of the World Economic Forum's "Global Competitiveness Report 2001-2002" wherein the U.S. ranked second. Also discusses research on errors in standardized tests and on the relationship between nutrition and cognitive ability during test week. (PKP)

Discusses New York case involving harassment of a female high school junior by three other girls culminating in physical attack that results in serious brain injuries to the girl. Girl's parents sued school officials for negligence. Jury finds that the vice-principal acted in reckless disregard for girl's safety and awards parents $11.2 million…

The principal of a large Boston elementary school encountered 10 barriers to high student achievement. Examines why he and his staff struggled with those barriers for most of his 15-year tenure at the school. Believes the turning point came when Massachusetts mandated high-stakes tests. (MLF)

When the Cincinnati Public Schools devised a reform strategy for improving student performance, it became clear that the district's traditional budgeting system was inadequate. Traces the district's process of moving to a system of student-based budgeting linking funding equity and flexibility to accountability and excellence. (MLF)

Argues that standards-based education reform has shifted the focus of school finance from equity to adequacy. Requires an explicit connection between the funding provided to schools and the results produced in terms of student learning. (Contains 19 references.) (MLF)

District staff members and teachers in the Northern Lights School Division of Alberta designed a formal reading curriculum for kindergarten. In the first year, all 141 kindergarten-age students were included in the study. Their progress equaled that of students in average first-grade classrooms, and none of them failed. (Contains 14 references.)…

Middle and high school teachers are taking the time to teach about reading in their disciplines implementing an approach called "Reading Apprenticeship," a partnership of expertise, drawing on what teachers know and do as readers in their disciplines and on adolescents' unique strengths as learners. (MLF)

Working with the National Council of Teachers of English, South Carolina has taken the bold step of focusing professional development in reading on teachers, rather than programs. The state created the South Carolina Reading Initiative (SCRI), a multi-year, research-based professional development model. (MLF)

Second-graders and a new teacher came up with an approach that showed him how much fun reading can be. The students voted on reading privileges; peer pressure maintained discipline; students shared books that their parents had read to them and invited "guest readers" to read with their class. (MLF)

Thirteenth Bracey report on the condition of public education begins and ends with the No Child Left Behind Act. Includes commentary on vouchers, charter schools, high stakes tests, Edison Schools, and educational assessment. Includes recipients of Bracey Golden Apple Awards, such as "The Breath of Fresh Air, Geoffrey Nunberg Award." (Contains 50…

Offers an update on global education programs from around the world, in the hope that American educators will seek dialogue with their international peers. (Author/MLF)

Describes a Nebraska case where a signing bonus awarded to a new teacher was contested by the teachers' association. Provides a two-part legal reminder to school authorities. Does the state have a collective bargaining law that mandates bargaining in such situations? If so, negotiate the matter into a clearly provable agreement. (Author/MLF)

Describes seven features of effective summer schools from recent Southern Regional Education Board report with examples of state legislation in support of each of these features. For example, summer school should be an integral part of a year-round program of extra time and extra help. Includes description of relevant Kentucky, California,…

Describes several critical factors of a high-performing school system such as the system holds itself accountable for the success of all its schools. Provides school district examples of critical success factors in action. Includes districts in Colorado, Washington, Texas, California, New Jersey. Discusses the role of strategic and authentic…

Elementary teacher describes the use of stories about justice, liberty, and heroism involving African Americans to teach students racial tolerance. (PKP)