From universities' experiences, medical schools can learn innovative techniques of curriculum assessment and teaching, how to handle diversity issues, and ways to expand the definition of scholarship. In turn, medical schools can teach universities the importance of fiscal and regulatory accountability, benefits of interdisciplinary efforts,…

As the public questions faculty productivity, college public relations professionals need to take steps to respond appropriately, including rereading the institutional mission statement, learning what's happening in the classroom, revising strategies for communicating with key audiences, finding new communication outlets, reaching alumni, and…

Describes the work of the Division of Innovation and Development of the Office of Special Education Programs of the U.S. Department of Education. The following are four areas of program concentration: (1) professional practice issues; (2) education of individuals with disabilities; (3) educational technology; and (4) emotionally disturbed…

Presents the case against private school choice, exploring myths and facts about public and private education. Private school choice would not increase accountability and would not bring about healthy competition for students. In addition, private schools do not outperform public schools to the extent one would expect. (SLD)

Discusses technology-planning processes in schools and presents two case studies of districts who used data findings to support steps for technology implementation. Highlights include planning teams; system assessment; goals focused on student learning; teachers' use of technology; staff-development programs; student/computer ratios; changes in…

Details Florida's accomplishments and challenges as policymakers and educators focus on increasing student achievement through higher student and teacher standards, assessment, and accountability mechanisms. Already recognized for its articulation procedures, Florida continues to improve and expand partnerships and agreements between and among…

The "ideal" principal is facing a world of decentralized school structures, increasing and changing environmental boundaries and roles, less homogeneous schools, closer contact with stakeholders, and a market-driven view of education. Principals should view themselves as environmental negotiators, not merely school-system managers.…

Process/product instruments of the 1970s attempt to evaluate teaching based on classroom observations. Performance-based teacher assessment is an ineffective, inappropriate method that does not truly assess teaching. Alternative methods (portfolios, student evaluations, peer evaluation, dossiers, and 360-degree feedback) support professional…

Precedents from litigation on state graduation assessments provide insight into the potential legal arguments challengers may raise with regard to mandated content and performance standards for all students. Clearly documented, fairly administered procedures that adhere to professional recommendations will be the hallmark of defensible standards.…

Education remains a top priority in governors' 1998 state-of-the-state addresses. Most governors favor increased school funding, dedication of some budget surpluses to new school construction and long-postponed maintenance and repair, and funding for technology. Many advocate early schooling, reading programs, smaller class size, school choice,…

A study investigated use of various test accommodations for 3,025 third-graders, 2,990 seventh-graders, and 796 eleventh-graders with disabilities in Missouri. Three accommodations (extended time, small-group administration, and read-aloud) accounted for nearly all of the students using an accommodation. Students using one accommodation were…

Over the last fifteen years, many states have implemented high-stakes tests as part of an effort to strengthen accountability for schools, teachers, and students. Predictably, there has been vigorous disagreement regarding the contributions of such policies to increasing test scores and, more importantly, to improving student learning. A recent…

The No Child Left Behind Act has had a pervasive effect on American education in its drive to bring about improvement in student achievement through assessment and accountability. In its standards-based approach to reform, measurement by standardized tests is everything. In this article, the author discusses the issue of private school…

Eleven elementary schools were selected randomly from a typical medium sized city of Japan. Parents of pupils who were attending the schools were surveyed. A small proportion of agreement with, "The reality of lives of persons with intellectual disability (ID) should be told more widely to the public" was interpreted as a typical…

The Education Action Zone programme in Gauteng province, South Africa, has been widely seen as a very successful school improvement initiative, with particular significance as it represents a unique model of top-down, bureaucratic accountability as a vehicle for turning- around dysfunctional secondary schools. In this article I evaluate the impact…