Asserts that general education revision committees are often unprepared for their task. Presents an analysis identifying four key issues confronting reformers--knowledge, student learning, faculty competence, and content--and describing how three models of general education (Great Books, Scholarly Discipline, and Effective Citizen) might respond…

Presents the responses of five people in the field of education (professors and assessment administrators) to the recently published position statement by the American Educational Research Association on high stakes testing in preK-12 education. The responses point out the contributions of this position statement and offer suggestions for…

Highlights recommendations of seven task groups of Maryland's Visionary Panel for Better Schools to align state and local educational systems to support teachers and students. The task groups covered accountability, achievement, assessment, leadership, learning, public support, and teacher quality. (PKP)

Describes meaning and six important features of local assessment systems in Maine. For example, assessments are administered across multiple grades. (PKP)

Reviews the status of classroom assessment, focusing on the review of four key research summaries that describe the dismal state of classroom assessment in the past century. Cites four important developments as reasons for optimism about the future of classroom assessment and details a five-part action plan for achieving the untapped potential of…

Discusses the positive and negative influences of high-stakes tests on mathematics curriculum and instruction in China. Suggests that educators should improve the design of the test questions, change the methods of testing, and reduce negative influences as much as possible. (ASK)

This discussion outlines some major developments in the learning society and explores their implications for educational practice. The future of education within powerful learning environments is considered for situations in which learning, instruction, and assessment are fully integrated. (SLD)

Presents an overview of the New Zealand national education system founded on the premise that the individual student is the center of all learning and teaching. Includes a brief discussion of educators' beliefs about children's learning, examines principles that guide assessment and how they translate into practice, and discusses issues of…

Analyzes two conflicting pieces of evidence--the high-ranking achievement of Australian primary students on the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), and the knowledge that the quality of primary science education in Australia has been poor for some time. Reveals strengths and weaknesses in Australian elementary science…

Describes elements of effective design and technology (D&T) teaching are as follows: learner autonomy, provision of an appropriate environment, resources to develop student capability, and motivation of students. Addresses considerations for teacher development and for designing activities and assessment. (SK)

Provides an historical review of state-level assessment research and practice and discusses current objectives and outcomes of state-level assessment policies throughout the United States. Considers possible explanations for the gap between assessment policy objectives and outcomes, and implications for urban institutions of higher education.…

States that applied research is the domain of faculty members, not just institutional researchers. Describes several ways in which faculty members at Harcum Junior College assessed the effects of their own teaching through a year-long assessment project that studied the effects of the Classroom Assessment Techniques (CAT) on students' learning…

Presents various options for schools to consider when shopping for education reform approaches. The Social Research and Demonstration Corporation was established to identify and test social programs and innovative social policy ideas that can improve the wellbeing of disadvantaged Canadians. Examples are presented of random assignment evaluations…

This third article in a series for an American Association of American Colleges and Universities project, "The State of Liberal Education," analyzes findings in five areas of inquiry conceptual foundations, curricular expressions, the phenomena and assessment of liberal learning, institutional mission, and the status and relevance of…

International comparisons of school effectiveness and outcomes have been used to suggest that British schools are underperforming and British students are underachieving, a view that permeated official publications in the 1990s. A review of some international studies and the difficulties of making international comparisons reveals no evidence of…