Asserts that Catholic schools throughout America continue to make remarkable contributions to our nation's intellectual and moral growth. Highlights the impressive results of Catholic schools in teaching, student learning, graduation rates and retention, moral development, and the alleviation of resources for public schools. Presents the text of a…

Argues that the use of Total Quality Management, School Development Planning and Office for Standards in Education Inspections intensifies teachers' work and encourages schools and teachers to "fabricate" themselves for the purposes of evaluation. Uses data from a secondary school to illustrate these points. (DSK)

Presents eight papers delivered at a symposium on the impact of the Dearing Report on geography instruction in the United Kingdom. The Dearing Report reviews higher education and charts the course of curriculum and instruction for the next 20 years. The papers address standards, regional applications, and criticisms. (MJP)

Reports on a 1996 Ministry of Education study on the teaching of history in Quebec. Criticizes the study for perpetuating leftist biases in favor of multiculturalism and globalization while censuring the study of Western civilization as evidence of Eurocentrism. Discusses the implications of, and reactions to, the government report. (MJP)

Analyzes a data set of music education in the maintained schools of England to (1) establish an authoritative national picture and (2) determine effective school-specific strategies that could be replicated. Focuses on music participation from age 14, when music is no longer part of the National Curriculum. (CMK)

This article decries the negative effects of the standards movement and nationwide high-stakes testing on the teaching of creative writing as teachers teach to the test and formulaic writing is preferred over truly generative writing. The relationship of good writing to good thinking is stressed. (Contains references.) (DB)

An analysis of SAT-9 scores since passage of Proposition 227 indicates that scores increased for all students, not just for English-learning students; scores increased for most districts regardless of the programs implemented; it was not possible to isolate the impact of Proposition 227; and SAT-9 is not an appropriate measure for assessing…

This study reviews the literature on the evaluation of bibliographic instruction in academic libraries from 1980 to 1993. Four main issues are discussed: (1) the reasons why librarians are evaluating; (2) to what degree they are evaluating; (3) what specific aspects they are evaluating; and (4) which methodologies are being used. Contains 89…

The American Federation of Teachers has developed a series of documents to help educators develop appropriate achievement standards or to describe the standards of other countries. Ordering information is given for these documents and kits for setting standards in particular disciplines. (SLD)

Evaluations of rural and small schools done by stakeholders provide a broader base of involvement than those done internally by persons with a vested interest or potential conflict of interest. Presents tasks for initiating a stakeholders' evaluation, groups considered to be stakeholders, evaluation standards, and elements to include in a school…

A study presents a post-hoc evaluation of the use of accommodations in the Washington Assessment of Students Learning of 4th and 7th graders in 1998. Results indicate that while the use of accommodations appeared to be consistent with state guidelines, increased training opportunities and revisions in reporting procedures are advised. (Contains…

Describes the development and teaching of a telecourse survey of U.S. history. Discusses the methods of quality-control used in the production of course materials, the integration of telematerials with traditional textbook lessons, the types of students suited to telecourses, and some disadvantages to telecourses for students. (DSK)

Presents the first in a series of articles discussing the implementation of North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement's Performance Accreditation framework in a school setting. Offers statistical information on Holgarth Middle School, a fictitious school "located" in a suburban area in a Midwestern state. (NB)

Reports on the design and formative assessment of a synchronous distance education demonstration project designed to bring experts to participants at their work locations through Internet technologies. Following evaluation results, a more robust model was designed to increase interactivity before, during, and after the live-broadcast training…

Highlights significance of adult literacy programs in Botswana and Zimbabwe. Concludes that the traditional approach to adult literacy is dominant in both countries, despite differences in national contexts and despite the fact that this traditional approach is largely ineffective. (Contains 51 references.) (NB)