Examines the effects of the post-Dartmouth English curriculum revolution in the Australian context. Argues the need for a reconsideration of the English curriculum in three areas: defining the subject of English, defining growth in English, and developing of curricular frameworks. (SRT)

Discusses recent developments in media education that reflect the concern of teachers at all levels about the ability of students to comprehend and practice the variety of media to which they are constantly exposed and through which they develop many of their concepts of the world. (SRT)

Describes the Colorado Writing Assessment Program, a testing program that provides two kinds of feedback to teachers and students: (1) a holistic score that measures the general quality of writing and (2) a set of scores on analytic scales that reflect students' achievement in four areas. Concludes that the program works. (FL)

Analyzes the on-line teacher network, Write for Your Life (WFYL), that sought to facilitate transformative experiences for its K-12/university participants that would result in changed practices across the network, and in increased learning for the students of those practitioners. Analyzes the dialogic "web" the teachers spun across five years.…

Describes the principal features of Great Britain's National Curriculum for English. Examines British educators' responses to this national curriculum mandate, paying particular attention to their criticisms, thus illuminating work in the United States in curriculum development and uncovering some of the problems in an approach that features…

Applauds the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) for maintaining its high principles in its attempt to develop national standards in English for the federal government. Suggests that NCTE acted wisely when it refused to be enticed by lucrative government contracts to bend its pedagogical principles. (TB)

Unpacks some of the problematic features of "objectives" as they are used within public school districts. Weaves together what has been learned from working directly with teachers with the historical origins of the professional practice of writing curriculum objectives. Discusses a language arts committee that was unable to produce a finished list…