This description of the Erie Basic Educational Skills (BES) Program provides examples of the achievements made by the Erie Public Schools and Head Start toward BES and Responsive Educational Program goals. Staff positions, staff responsibilities, the curriculum, and programs initiated and carried out in the Erie Public Schools are described. The…

The changing role of computational skills is discussed. A level of computational skill desirable in light of predictable future needs is proposed, and four reasons for advocating that level are discussed. (MN)

This scheme for a core curriculum rejects central control over the precise body of knowledge taught or the teaching methods used but advocates some control over experiments in education and the early assessment of their results. (Author/SJL)

Teacher expectations are a powerful factor in the attainment of basic skills. If teachers expect their students to attain basic skills, they are more likely to do so. If teachers do not expect students to do well, that expectation is often fulfilled. (Author/CM)

Abandoning conventional assumptions about skills hierarchies leads to a new set of curricular principles focusing on complex, meaningful problems, embedding basic skills instruction within more global tasks, and connecting instruction to students' experience and culture. Teachers can then model powerful thinking strategies, encourage multiple…

One of a series of documents produced by a nationwide network of early childhood education specialists, teachers, parents, and Head Start staff, the document contains a language arts skills continuum to be used as a tool for individualizing instruction for students learning basic educational skills. A comprehensive set of learner objectives for…

Two educators describe the changes in a severely retarded, multiply disabled 12-year-old resulting from a functional curriculum approach. Assessment of his life needs and skills produced a new curriculum with emphasis on age appropriate interests. (CL)

Directed to teachers and teacher trainers who want to infuse career-related principles into their existing basic skills curriculum (language arts and mathematics), this report presents strategies and ideas for both the primary and intermediate levels within the elementary school. The first section addresses the need for materials to help…

An application for a proposed South Umpqua School District (Oregon) Experimental Schools project is provided. The project will personalize and intensify those instructional processes dealing with basic education and career preparation. The goals of the project are: A. Operational Processes--personalization of instruction, parent/patron…

Discusses communication games and activities which can be used to teach speaking and listening skills. Proposes and applies a set of criteria for evaluating such curriculum materials. Examines communication games used in referential communication research and suggests their inclusion in the curriculum. (JMF)

This document summarizes the first report of the Study of Academic Instruction for Disadvantaged Students, a 3-year investigation of curriculum and instruction in elementary schools serving high concentrations of poor children. (The first report constitutes volume 2 of a projected series). Recent scholarship, theory, and experimentation in the…

This overview was designed to illustrate how elementary education is a total program based on the natural growth and development of children. Ten humanistic goals are identified as of fundamental importance for a fully educated person, and the responsibilities of the school in achieving these goals are discussed. Three educational objectives are…

Reviews the research that led to the movement toward literature based reading programs for children and describes the current status of the movement nationally. The discussion also addresses problems within the movement, including program evaluation; basalization of literature; cumbersome literature guides; acquisition difficulties; inadequate…

More than 15 years after its publication of influential national standards in mathematics, a leading professional organization has unveiled new and more focused guidelines that describe the crucial skills and content students should master in that subject in elementary and middle school. The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics released…