There's been much commitment and extensive legislation intended to make schools inclusive for all students but not much real progress in improving student outcomes. The authors review and assess several schools that have succeeded at making schools inclusive and effective for all students, including those with disabilities and draw some inferences…

A veteran writer of teaching cases for use in teacher education classes walks readers through the process. Basic ingredients include a friendly colleague to serve as sounding board, viable case material, an interview subject, interview notes, case design, a writing and rewriting process, formal release, study questions, and a teaching note that…

Summarizes findings from an in-depth study of improvement efforts in Chicago elementary schools, drawing on case studies of over 25 school communities, analyses of administrative records, and survey data gathered from 400 principals and 12,000 teachers. Of the schools most in need of change, one-third have developed strong democratic participation…

The research reported here is part of a larger effort focusing on how schools in Florida are responding to a new accountability system with many of the same provisions as NCLB. It briefly describes publicly reported information on school performance in Florida since the inception of the A+ Plan, and then, using evidence gathered from case studies,…

The most significant development in education since World War II has been the growing professionalization of teachers and teaching. This article traces this development from the original bureaucratic supervision model through the 1970s "advocacy revolution" to the recent push for full empowerment. Pioneering efforts in selected districts…

Describes the case of Casey Jesson, a hyperactive child ordered by the state of Hew Hampshire to ingest Ritalin or forego a public education. Despite adverse side effects and the perils of drug dependency, there is greater parental and educator acceptance of Ritalin than ever before. Scientologists are sparking an anti-Ritalin campaign. Includes…

In a Lilly endowment study, field notes and interviews with two elementary teachers reveal that caring relationships between teachers and students played a large role in encouraging students' academic and social development. Teachers can promote caring by helping their students in ways they value and by using stories, symbols, rituals, and…

Little empirical evidence suggests a causal link between standards and enhanced student learning. This article defines types of standards, presents five theories of action, discusses reforms in Maine and Philadelphia, and summarizes two small case studies suggesting how standards can affect everyday student learning. (Contains 25 references.) (MLH)

Compares two first-grade teachers' hands-on approaches to teach measurement concepts. One, a constructivist, allowed students to figure out the dimensions of a Mayflower ship outline; the other immediately showed kids how to use a yardstick to estimate a whale's dimensions. Although initially more confused, the first class got more out of their…

Summarizes the status of assessment reform, based on visits to 14 schools. Documents key characteristics of various performance assessments (portfolios, on-demand tasks, projects, exhibitions, and teachers' structured observations); determines which factors influence their development, implementation, and effectiveness; and analyzes interactions…

In recent case studies, teachers' strong endorsement of National Board standards highlights the importance of encouraging policies that will increase participation and success rates and contribute to their equitable distribution. However, teachers face significant problems due to inadequate information and wide variations in available support…

A survey of 28 teachers who participated in the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification process showed that most felt they had undergone a strong professional development experience. Unfortunately, teacher participation remains low. Many educators are unfamiliar with the process, lack access to support services, view board…

Uses four case studies to illustrate differences in task engagement in 12 students in two "exemplary" sixth-grade science classrooms. Not all students are likely to benefit from improvements in science programs that provide increased opportunities for meaningful learning. For students whose personal agendas were indifferent to achieving…

Literary case studies do not offer solutions to problems but allow readers to engage in life with other human beings and empathize, understand, and share responses with others. This involvement and willingness to admit human frailty and vulnerability provide a type of learning for prospective teachers not found in pedagogical textbooks. (five…

Examines effects of the 1990 Kentucky Education Reform Act from a caring, innovative elementary teacher's viewpoint. A court required KERA, the legislature created it, state officials regulate it, but teachers are directly responsible for working together to make reforms work. Unfortunately, the state has not provided enough direction to…