Teachers and principals don't always agree about the effects on education of accountability systems based on high-stakes testing. Mr. Jones and Mr. Egley look at the implications of these differing perceptions and suggest some strategies for creating a climate in which teachers and administrators can move forward on improving student learning.…

After "A Nation at Risk" was released, the state of American education was widely discussed, and not just by educators. The 1980s produced a number of reports on the status of science education that complained of declining science and mathematics achievement, falling enrollment in the subjects, and a shortage of qualified teachers. All the…

High school reform has now been on the national agenda long enough that people can begin reaching conclusions about the effectiveness of various approaches to it. This article discusses several strategies of high school reforms which includes: (1) improving school climate; (2) strengthening curriculum and instruction; (3) raising graduation…

Discusses seven potential benefits of the use of microcomputers in education, including more active learning, less mental drudgery, and learning nearer the speed of thought; also covers seven limitations, including the difficulty of using microcomputers, rapid changes in technology and lack of standardization, and a scarcity of good computer…

Educators in Springfield, Massachusetts, see connections between the current school reform agenda and their own program of Community Service Learning. Staff see the program as a way to increase student learning, enrich the curriculum, and foster the spirit of caring and lifetime service. (MLH)

Believing that educational reforms are overdue, the author proposes three radical solutions: only validated instructional programs should be implemented, results of systematic public assessments of pupil achievements in learning should be published annually, and teachers should periodically submit evidence of learning achievement in their classes.…

Considers the sociocultural factors that discourage the appropriate teaching of reading and writing. Discusses how the lay community would have to be involved in an improved language arts curriculum that individualized learning tasks, encouraged developmental interaction among individuals, and integrated learning across subjects, media, and types…

In this article, the author explores how two schools in Nebraska perceive time as they teach and assess student learning. Parker Middle School views time as fixed and sees its teaching and assessing as in perpetual conflict because there is not enough time to do both. Arbor School views time in a more fluid way, allowing teaching and assessment to…

This article, presents a discussion about Connecticut Superintendents' Network. Established and facilitated by the Connecticut Center for School Change, a school reform organization, the Network is grounded in a theory of action concerning professional development for administrators. The Network's goals are: (1) to develop superintendents'…

Risk arises from foreign competitors and our educational mediocrity. Nevertheless, causes for optimism exist in the commission's recommendations on curriculum content, standards and expectations, school time, teaching, leadership, and fiscal support. Neglected themes of the commission's report include lifelong learning and compatibility of…

The National Education Association's approach to improving public education is founded on John Dewey's vision of democratic schooling and rational decision making, as the experience of Pinellas County, Florida, shows. This article describes the district's efforts to implement the Mastery in Learning project, a shared decision-making model.…

Excellence in undergraduate education became the first goal of SUNY President Shirley Strum Kenny's broadly-based five-year plan. Its capstone is the report "Reinventing Undergraduate Education." Kenny thinks freshman education can be improved by initiating block scheduling, interdisciplinarity, mentoring, and experiential and…

While television's potential as the nation's "great educator" is expanding, messages about schooling come across as colorless and forgettable. The "Learning in America" series had limited mass appeal. The "real" stories (George Bush as "Education President," school control, and the future of teaching) are neglected. Cable TV could make the…

Exposes four myths that undermine efforts to improve writing and writing instruction in U.S. schools. Discusses the importance of teacher attitudes and proposes five methods for encouraging teachers to use and demand good writing. Explains three ways students can use writing to enhance subject matter learning. (Author/PGD)

The Education Commission of the States has identified several crucial factors that ensure successful school improvement programs, including political support, pressure for improvement, belief in students' learning ability, high-quality programs, state-level implementation strategies, and adequate resources. State agencies must also promote school…