As the world economy continues to evolve, businesses and industries must adopt new practices and processes in order to survive. Quality and cost control, work teams and participatory management, and an infusion of technology are transforming the way people work and do business. Employees are now expected to read, write, and communicate…

Describes the principles, aims, and structure of the new Western Governors University, a regional effort to provide timely, accessible education by offering competency-based degrees, using advanced educational technology to provide learning opportunities, fostering interstate and public-private cooperation in development of new instructional…

Profiles the implementation and accomplishments of the Allen Classical/Traditional Academy in Dayton, Ohio. The elementary magnet school integrated a character education program into its classical education curriculum. Discusses the specifics of this program including the use of a discipline plan and school uniforms. (MJP)

Reflects on the leadership role of a County Office Superintendent in bringing character education to students countywide. Reiterates the importance of systematic training, collaborative involvement with the community, and student recognition for program success. Includes information about the Character Counts! Program and addresses for receiving…

Examines possible reasons for the lack of issues-oriented instruction in social studies classrooms. Provides curriculum suggestions to remedy this, including exploring debatable issues that can be researched and are interesting. Includes 12 instructional strategies designed to maintain student interest and smooth over rough spots. (MJP)

Presents a crucial German essay, originally published in 1958, that defined and introduced didaktik to a new generation of educators. In this incarnation, didaktik represents an educational approach that incorporates critical thinking (as defined by Adorno and Habermas) into both content and instruction. Briefly outlines the essentials of didactic…

Describes the current South African university curriculum and degree structure, and proposes a new, more flexible model of academic progression that aims to improve articulation within the university system and between vocational/technical and higher education. The model is also intended to satisfy an emerging labor market need for more graduates…

Provides of examples of performance-based assessments in three categories: (1) projects; (2) performances; and (3) question strategy sessions. Describes a typical performance-based assessment project including setting up the project, peer evaluation, the class presentation, and the test used. (CFR)

The 1994 revised accreditation standards of the American Optometric Association's Council on Optometric Education (COE) are described briefly. The standards cover program mission, goals, objectives, and outcomes; administration; resources and facilities; faculty; clinical residency; curriculum; clinic management and patient care policies; research…

A framework is offered for institutions to use in identifying and overcoming obstacles to graduate student progress and retention. Seven aspects of graduate education that would have to be altered to reduce student frustration are examined: admissions, graduate curriculum, advising/mentoring, monitoring progress, financial support, institutional…

University collaboration with local public school systems in Birmingham (Alabama), El Paso (Texas), Hartford (Connecticut), Philadelphia (Pennsylvania), Providence (Rhode Island), and Pueblo (Colorado) have brought together a broad spectrum of stakeholders to work on systemic K-16 education reform with a focus on poor and minority children. (JB)

A Quality and Curriculum pilot summer school program paired teachers of remedial students, provided classroom volunteers, and arranged for teachers to attend sessions on reflection and learning in quality and curriculum each afternoon. Teachers then implemented new strategies with the summer school students. This article describes the program's…

Examines the beliefs of prominent thinkers regarding arts education and arts in learning, highlighting the importance of arts in everyone's education. The role of arts in cognition, equitable access to meaning, student motivation, and cultural representation are explored, with illustrations from visible national projects translating ideas into…

Describes a study that brought together university faculty and seventh-grade teachers to design and implement an instructional intervention to enhance academic learning opportunities for at-risk Hispanic students. Results show a consistent positive comparative academic outcome in reading comprehension, vocabulary, language mechanics, and language…

Discusses the introduction of a course titled, "Ethics and Psychology of Family Life," in Russian public schools. Asserts that teachers are not trained adequately in the content and educational strategies necessary to teach the course. Describes an inservice teacher education course designed to help. (CFR)