This article was originally published in "English in Australia," number 5, 1967. The text is Professor A. D. Hope's presidential address to the Australian Association for the Teaching of English from April, 1967. It manifests his concern for the state of English teaching in Australia.

The power of the coloniser within colonial Australia is clear when we consider how central to the teaching and learning and schooling in Australia is the privileging of Standard Australian English. Prior to 1788, the peoples and the lands of this country were abound with languages. That was until the coloniser exerted their power and insisted on a…

This paper provided a synopsis of a presentation given at the Texas Association of Literacy Education annual conference in February 2018. During this presentation, several members of the English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR) and Spanish Language Arts and Reading (SLAR) review committees described the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)…

The recent movement in K-12 education toward common standards in key subjects represents an unprecedented opportunity for improving learning outcomes for all students. These standards initiatives--the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics (CCSS) and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)--are informed by…

The purpose of this report is to summarize the activities of the standard-setting meeting for the New York State Alternate Assessment (NYSAA) in English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics (Grades 3-8 and High School), science (Grades 4, 8, and High School), and social studies (High School). The NYSAA standard-setting meeting was held on June 11…

In August, IES worked with the National Science Foundation and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development to convene a technical working group to discuss research objectives related to college- and career-ready standards in English language arts and mathematics. Forty people (including researchers,…

This paper examines how virtual worlds and other advanced social media can be married with problem-based learning to encourage creativity and critical thinking in the English/Language Arts classroom, particularly for middle school, high school, and undergraduate college education. Virtual world experiences such as "Second Life," Jumpstart.com, and…

This study examined one public school system's change in its bell scheduling format from a seven period day to block scheduling. The data collected was from a three year period of the grade 10 students passing the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System exam. Students in Massachusetts must pass the mathematics and English/language arts…

The United States Department of Education recognizes and supports exemplary programs through the National Diffusion Network (NDN). Established in 1974, NDN is based on the belief that there are few problems encountered by schools that have not been solved successfully in some other location. The primary function of NDN is to disseminate…

This paper examines educational practice between 1450-1650, highlighting 16th century educationist, Peter Ramus, whose work is remembered in the "History of Western Philosophy" as fostering a "pedagogic marvel." Ramus' work has received scant attention from English-speaking educationists, and his niche within the educational…

A "global simulation" is a class activity allowing students to encounter situations that include love, life, and death in a simulated environment. This paper describes several possible simulations. Each one can be integrated into a variety of intermediate- to advanced-level curricula such as a conversation class, a culture and civilization class,…

The Maine Educational Assessment (MEA) has provided data to inform curriculum and instruction in Maine's schools for 16 years. The test results, student questionnaire data, and associated professional development opportunities have had a major impact on improving instruction, particularly in English language arts (ELA). In 1997 the legislature…

With the increasing curricular demands on teachers, many educators wonder if students find adequate opportunities to think. While visiting educators and students in Franklin County, Tennessee, a college instructor discovered a successful program designed to help students think in meaningful ways about their lives. The contest, established by Sir…

Presenting a framework for brain-compatible learning and literacy education implemented in grades K-5 in Carroll County (Georgia) schools, this group presentation describes brain-based education as being aware and familiar with the most recent research that is out there about how brains learn best and what facilitates brains' learning and…

The New Zealand Curriculum Framework identifies seven Essential Learning Areas, namely, Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Science, Technology, Health and Physical Education, and the Arts. These have been in the process of development since 1993, with the Arts section written in draft form in 1998 and released for consultation in 1999. Being…