The concept of "curriculum alignment" is based on the principle that, if instructional accomplishments are to be reliably obtained, three things must line up: instructional objectives, testing systems, and classroom instruction. The task of aligning a curriculum is described as requiring four attitudinal approaches: (1) Teachers and…

This series is intended for music educators and features speeches and articles by leaders in music and arts education on a wide variety of current issues. This publication deals with the move of the music education profession to a position based on aesthetic considerations. The study of music structure and history must be encouraged to enhance…

The National School Recognition Program was established in 1982 to identify and call attention to a group of public secondary schools that are unusually effective in educating their students with available resources. This document presents 146 effective practices adopted by schools in various areas, including: (1) clear educational goals; (2)…

This document describes educational outcomes assessment at Austin Community College (ACC) in Texas, identifying three levels: (1) classroom; (2) course or program; and (3) institutional. ACC's assessment process provides information to enhance the quality of teaching and learning as well as the quality of services offered in support of these…

This document describes what Palomar Community College District (California) is doing to address a pressing need in higher education: the need to produce more and better student learning in exchange for the state's education investment. The need is especially crucial in regard to the greater number of under-prepared students who are entering…

The National Priorities, published in 2001, highlight important outcomes of education in Scotland. National Priority 5 sets a clear expectation that teachers will "encourage creativity and ambition" in their pupils. "A Curriculum for Excellence" (Scottish Executive, 2004) also stresses that pupils need to be able to "think…

This book, which focuses on actual practitioners' experiences, outlines a systematic approach to improving individual workers' performance as part of an overall strategy for organizational change. Frameworks are provided for conceptualizing and implementing exemplary training practices. In addition, steps in achieving the practices and pitfalls to…