The National Curriculum is perhaps the most important element of the United Kingdom's Education Reform Act of 1988. Although there are many challenges in describing and assessing the skills, knowledge, and understanding that each child is expected to develop, the national curriculum's early implementation has won wide support. (MLH)

The William and Mary Mentorship program for gifted and talented students in grades 8 through 11 matches student interests with selected college students for 1 semester. The program is in its fifth year of operation and has been evaluated through analysis of formative and summative data. Recommendations for implementing such a program are included.…

A cyclical process model for implementing England's National Curriculum was developed by a British school for pupils with moderate learning difficulties. The model focuses on curriculum audit, time allocation for various subjects, framework for curriculum organization, support program for teachers, developing subject rationale, recordkeeping,…

A rationale is presented for developing gifted education projects that are differentiated from the regular curriculum. A specific activity, called "Let's Build a Sailboat," is described to illustrate guiding principles for success in student project development. The project taught planning and management skills to junior high school gifted…

Since March 1989, Boston has attempted to implement three elements deemed successful for successful school choice programs: fair assignment procedures, an effective parent information system, and interventions to help certain schools become more competitive. The Boston experience shows the difficulties involved in reforming a monopoly governed by…

Introduces an effort by the Alliance for Environmental Education to establish a network of environmental education centers. Describes the components of a model of the network. Explains the evolution of the network strategy. (CW)

Basic steps in organizing and implementing Fun and Fitness Day are outlined. This event, jointly planned by local schools and Triton College, provided 1800 elementary students with health-related fitness testing and a day of fun and competition. (IAH)

Discusses the use of the seminar approach in elementary classrooms. Makes practical suggestions for implementation and outlines areas in which teachers need administrative support. Includes an interview with a sixth-grade teacher who has been using the method for two years. (FMW)

A discussion of the development and implementation of a multicultural teacher education program at California Polytechnic State University explores problems encountered in: defining multicultural education; encouraging continuity between the teacher education program and the public schools; and refining the multicultural competencies that…

To implement shared decision-making, a Colorado school district needed three years to venture through the cage door, scare the cat away, and experience an increase in involvement from district constituents. Blocking can occur because of outdated policies reflecting centralized control, perceptions of the principal as prime manipulator, master…

This article describes a health promotion demonstration project which addressed the health problem of hypertension, as related to variables of excercise, weight, blood pressure measurement and reduction, medication compliance, and nutritional practices. Participants (N=18) were senior citizens who were associated with a small, rural, predominantly…

This paper describes the process of adapting a sexual abuse prevention program called the Children's Self-Help Project for use as a curriculum for hearing-impaired children. The program, which was implemented with students from grades two through high school, involves dialogue between children and presenters, plays, skits, and individual…

Using computers only for word processing, drill-and-practice, and computer literacy wastes expensive technology. After allocating funds for computers, the Shawnee Mission (Kansas) School District established a study team to investigate district computer use and develop an integrated system. Success depended on planning, commitment, training,…

Discusses the decision by Florence-Darlington Technical College to waive its Scholastic Achievement Test entrance requirement for nursing degree applicants over 24 years old who could successfully complete the science component of the associate degree nursing curriculum. Discusses effects of the policy change on grades, attrition rates, and…

The process for a successful multimedia conversion project is examined. Topics include initial conversion discussion and decisions; questions to consider in the planning phase; avoiding problems in the beginning; working the plan and planning the design; a list of prices; and evaluating the performance. (AEF)