Reports that the developmental process for national standards for K-12 instruction in the arts is nearing completion. Discusses issues and criticisms relevant to the national standards movement and to music education. (CFR)

Examines experiences and perspectives of four women who have exited urban school district superintendencies. Sources of disenchantment with the political aspects of the role are discussed. Increased attention to recruitment and retention of women and other underprivileged groups are advocated. (SLD)

Describes efforts in Mississippi to reposition its 15 public community colleges to enhance their ability to provide work force training, adult literacy education, and information and communication technology programs. Discusses the colleges' assets, the use of the media to strengthen effective programs' images, and resulting increases in funding.…

Twenty case studies of state educational decision making from 1971 to 1991 are analyzed to portray the changing nature of Minnesota's education policy system and to consider whether the often cited "structural linkage" typology remains explanatory. The reformist tradition continues in Minnesota in spite of revenue problems and societal…

Examines language, culture, and the curriculum from a linguistic perspective. Comments on the nature of language and its relation to society. Juxtaposes these ideas with the aims of governments trying to control a culturally diverse population. Claims that the imposition of "proper language" is one way governments silence minority…

Examines research findings concerning information technology's importance and impact in English studies and instruction in the United Kingdom. Emphasizes how English teaching and politics are always closely related to one another. Reaffirms the value and importance of research. (HB)

There is growing consensus about schools' roles as the national agenda emphasizes economic and social improvement via school reform, prioritizing relationships among schools, families, agencies, and health organizations. As schools are being reinvented, educators are examining the impact on physical education, particularly the relationship between…

Argues that teacher education in general lacks using personal testimony as a form of pedagogical reflection and interrogation. Asserts that, through the use of personal and public narrative, teachers can overcome their postmodern cynicism and discover an enlightened, modernistic set of ideals and ethics to convey to their students. Contains 36…

Challenges ways in which a positivist view of science has led to hegemonic discourse on writing to learn science and highlights contradictions in this discourse. Argues for pedagogy that draws on critical, feminist, and hegemonic pedagogies and incorporates affective, creative, critical, cognitive, and diverse language practices set within…

The article to which this essay responds advises risky practices that trouble traditional distinctions between science and not-science (things not scientific in nature), particularly its argument to politicize science as a way to organize teaching. Raises questions about science as a regime of truth in a place where such questions carry much…

Reviews definitions of basic writers and basic writing over the last 20 years. Argues that basic writers are not defined only in terms of institutional convenience. Offers future directions for basic writing research, suggesting that to learn more about basic writers, researchers must return to studies of error informed by basic writing's rich…

Presents Mina Shaughnessy's 1976 speech, given at a time when great financial crisis threatened to result in the wholesale disestablishment of basic writing programs. Notes grave perils, and outlines some of the truths uncovered through the experience of Open Admissions in higher education, truths that are indestructible despite retrenchments and…

A former professor, current professional organization administrator, and scholar discusses the nature of changes occurring today in higher education, focusing on the contemporary academic climate, politicization of academic life, and what is happening to general education and the liberal arts. Topics discussed include cultural and ethnic diversity…

Notes the California's Reading Task Force's heavy emphasis on phonemic awareness (PA) evaluation and training. Argues that although evidence shows that phonemic awareness will emerge by simply reading, California's school libraries--ranked near last in the nation--would require a massive commitment to rise to the task. Argues (in an ironic tone)…

Parents can help the United States separate school and state by separating their own families from state schooling. If the government cannot be trusted to tell the truth if it ran the newspaper, it cannot be trusted to tell students the truth in its schools. There is a movement to separate school and state supported by educators, scholars,…