Two Colorado math teachers attribute their participation in a professional learning community to their ability to achieve the highest growth scores of any tested level (3rd through 10th grade) in the three tested subjects (reading, writing, and math) in their 22,000-student school district.

What do young black males say about what stands in the way of their academic success? Rather than rely on scholarly researchers to answer this question, the authors talked with a number of black males between ages 13 and 22 in Washington D.C., and Milwaukee, Wis., to learn what they had to say. These young men rarely talked about schools or…

For 22 years, at 166 sites around the world, over 1 million teachers have been teaching each other in nearly identical National Writing Project summer institutes. This article discusses the lessons learned about teacher leadership, the qualities of worthwhile staff development, writing instruction, and educational reform's bumpy landscape. (MLH)

The twenty-second annual Gallup Poll surveyed parents and community members concerning national educational goals, school choice, parental control of public schools, examinations for promotion, grade retention and dropout rates, access to personal information about students, equal educational opportunity, desirability of teaching as a career,…

Outlines the definition, uses, and current trends in assessment of educational systems known as "educational indicators." Includes 22 references. (MD)

The role of the Associated Public School System--a national research and study council of 115 schools, with a 22-year history--in the validation of new school practices is crucial and growing in a period when everything is questioned. (Author)

Discusses some of the challenges presented by standards-based reform, problems in designing accountability policies that serve learning, creation of fair and equitable accountability systems, standards-based initiatives that serve teaching and learning, and support for teachers and high-quality teaching. (Contains 22 references.) (PKP)

Cedar Rapids (Iowa) has had a written selection policy and a procedure for handling challenged instructional materials since 1971. An analysis of 112 formally submitted challenges reveals that far more challenged books were retained in the schools than were removed (61 retained, 22 removed). (Author/MLF)

Discusses historical underpinnings of five "burnt water" paradoxes representing both destruction (burning) and life (water): professionalism, teaching and learning, market and standards, social justice and diversity, and change. Asserts that "burnt water" paradoxes are greatest challenges facing schools of education in 21st century. (Contains 22…

By examining the premises underlying conventional approaches to teaching disadvantaged students, educators can devise more challenging content and more effective instructional methods. Some important principles include maximizing time on task, establishing high expectations and a school climate supporting academic learning, and strengthening…

The shift from multiple-choice testing to performance assessment has brought a subtle shift in measurement philosophy. Selecting assessment tasks based on inherent value complicates inferences from test scores to nontest situations. A measurement-driven reform strategy relying on performance assessments to drive curriculum and instruction seems…

Past payment by results schemes have failed miserably. Britain's modified 150-year-old system was disdained by teachers, school managers, and inspectors; schools became learning-impoverished environments with test-driven curricula. In modern-day America, accountability concerns and mistrust are corrupting or crippling genuine improvement efforts.…

Drawing on case studies of six urban and suburban secondary schools in Ontario, Canada, examines characteristics and role of school leaders in supporting and sustaining educational reform. Discusses three implications for developing sustainable leadership. For example, education systems should see leadership as a vertical system that extends for…

The American people do not favor tax support for private or parochial schools. The issue of vouchers has been placed before the electorate 22 times since 1966, and the voters have rejected it 21 times. It makes little sense for state and national legislators to continue to press for unwanted programs. (MLH)

Short-term fixes may boost test scores without improving learning. Schools focused on higher standards and instructional reform should reorganize and condense state, district, and national standards; adopt a "less is more" approach; support collaborative improvement efforts; and link assessment to a high-quality learning environment.…