Effective principals must deal with challenges (such as local, national, and international school comparisons) arising from global changes in economics, politics, and demography. Comparative NASSP-sponsored international programs in Russia, China, Ireland, and other countries provide advantages for practicing principals and insights for aspiring…

Argues that the International Reading Association (IRA) has an important and key role to play in the current volatile United States government policy environment. Looks at perceptions of literacy failure. Discusses the Association's involvement with the Reading Excellence Act, and outlines what the Association must continue to do to assure that…

Successful outsourcing is a learning process demanding careful planning, commitment, and heavy communication. The process also requires a strong leadership and a cohesive school board ready to weather a cultural change. Service employee options, contractors' managerial expertise, increased efficiency, and partnership opportunities are possible…

Finds that, despite the 1997 Arizona endorsement of arts standards as recommended requirements for graduation, secondary school theatre teachers profiled in this study are not accountable for, possess no ownership of, and make no investment in implementing the state's theatre standards on a systematic basis with students in their classrooms. (SR)

Uses a major reform, the Target Oriented Curriculum, to explore interaction of cultures and curriculum reforms in Hong Kong schools. The reform was adopted and enacted in contexts exhibiting very different cultures. The analysis stresses the fragmented, pluralistic, and changing nature of culture within Hong Kong society. (Contains 30 references.)…

Examines recent claims that Australian education is being deprofessionalized, and discusses how different theories of professionalism encourage particular focuses on and interpretation of empirical data. Suggests recent theoretical developments which view professionalism as discourse offer a way of rethinking professionalism and educational change…

Examines why multiculturalism's attention to difference expands on liberal democratic assumptions, arguing that our democratic society's commitment to equal educational opportunities legitimizes the implementation of multicultural education programs designed to create a culturally relevant pedagogy for students who are marginalized by the white,…

Reviews debates about political correctness, multiculturalism, and the Western Canon in education, analyzing why the Canon needs defending and what it says about education. The paper describes flaws in the arguments of those attacking political correctness and defending the Canon, suggesting that the case for multiculturalism and diversified…

Discusses reasons for the deep resistance students feel about assuming the role of self-conscious intellectualizer and contentious argument-maker that is demanded by academic courses. Argues that educators will miss the point if, in their dwelling on texts, canons, and political philosophies, they ignore or romanticize this resistance. (SR)

Presents a historical process model for the full integration of women into a male institution based on historical studies of several institutions. Draws analogies to current decisions at Virginia Military Institute and the Citadel, including predictions about ways in which the presence of women will affect the student life of these institutions.…

Compares and contrasts several models and approaches to citizenship education including those currently in use in Canada, the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Outlines the salient aspects of each approach including emphasis on skills or competencies, necessary knowledge for citizenship, and ideal conceptions of the nature of…

Attempts to understand the implications for education of an apparent paradox of the welfare state: a new culture of education has developed involving both individual autonomy and continuing attachment to public provision of education to ensure that autonomy. Compares England and Scotland to illustrate the complexity of the political debate. (DSK)

Explores ways that the study of special educational needs have changed in the last decade and a half of educational policy-making. Focuses on key theoretical changes and shifts of emphasis in substantive concerns. Notes tendencies to allow social and political values to guide educational provision instead of psychological or sociological…

Liberty University (Virginia) will send 3,000 students on a religious studies tour in Israel to visit sites important to Christianity. The program, the result of an alliance between Jerry Falwell and Binyamin Netanyahu, is designed both to show support for Netanyahu's policies and to raise the international profile of the university. (MSE)

Discusses the design and impact of Kentucky's statewide writing portfolio assessment. Describes how it was designed to influence writing instruction in Kentucky in positive ways. Evaluates its impact, noting progress toward overall goals, struggles with understanding "authentic audience," and the amazing staying power of the…