This document outlines the Spring 1999 draft of new social studies standards for the state of North Dakota. The standards in the document are based on previous North Dakota standards, national standards, and standards from other states. The primary reason for teaching social studies is to transfer and extend knowledge about the principles upon…

The Wyoming Social Studies Content and Performance Standards were developed in the recognition that social studies is the integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence. The mission of social studies is to help young people develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decisions as citizens of a culturally…

This study examined the relative efficacy of the Anchorage (Alaska) Pre-Algebra Test and the State of Alaska Benchmark in 2 Math examination as tools used in the process of recommending grade 6 students for grade 7 Pre-Algebra placement. The consequential validity of the tests is explored in the context of class placements and grades earned. The…

The purposes of this study were to investigate the role of benchmark writing samples in direct assessment of writing and to examine the consequences of differential benchmark selection with a common writing rubric. The influences of discourse and grade level were also examined within the context of differential benchmark selection. Raters scored…

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the selection of benchmark writing samples influences the assessment of students' writing quality. More than 300 grade 3 writing samples were scored in two separate rating sessions. Within each scoring session, raters used a different set of benchmark writing samples. Raw ratings were analyzed…

This study explored the relationship between Oregon high school students' performance in a standards-based system and their subsequent performance in the first year of college. Findings from 6,082 students from the Oregon University System and 12,519 from Oregon community colleges led to the conclusion that the 10th grade benchmark performance may…

This technical guide is a resource to help educators implement the adopted social studies standards for South Dakota. The guide to the standards includes the goals, indicators, benchmarks, and grade level standards. It is organized in grade level clusters according to benchmark levels: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. This format is provided as a…

This guide states that New Mexico's Language Arts Content Standards and Benchmarks are built upon the Competency Frameworks adopted by the State Board of Education in 1992. The guide further states that the first two content standards are comprised of Unifying Concepts that represent universal language skills that apply not only to language arts,…

Provides an overview of knowledge management and benchmarking, including the benefits and methods of benchmarking (e.g., competitive, cooperative, collaborative, and internal benchmarking). Arthur Andersen's KMAT (Knowledge Management Assessment Tool) is described. The KMAT is a collaborative benchmarking tool, designed to help organizations make…

One way to achieve a higher level of agreement on the nature of science (NOS) within the science education community is to embrace the two major documents, Benchmarks for Science Literacy (1993) and National Science Education Standards (1996). Both Benchmarks and Standards have many statements on the nature of science that can be used as the basis…

This report presents mathematics benchmarks organized into instructional sequences by topic. Each sequence is based upon an analysis of the order of content as it appears among a set of highly rated state standards. The report is intended to inform and guide state or district curriculum directors or others who, starting from content that is placed…

There is a growing awareness among educators and policymakers that the academic standards associated with college readiness are also necessary to prepare students to take advantage of opportunities in the workplace. A challenging K-12 college-readiness curriculum is also important for preparing students for citizenship. Such a curriculum, if…

Discusses seven research-based benchmarks providing a framework for the student-learning-focused reform of teacher education: knowledge and understanding based on previous experience, usable content knowledge, transfer of learning/the learning context, strategic thinking, motivation and affect, development and individual differences, and standards…

Examines the benchmarking of English language teaches in Hong Kong. Contextualizes the benchmarking initiative, which has been put in place to ensure that all teachers in Hong Kong have the necessary competence to teach English. Focuses on the representativeness of the sample used to field test the prototype of the benchmark assessments and to…

Discusses the concept of Total Quality Management (TQM), developed by W. Edward Deming and Joseph Juran in 1940s, and its applications for child care centers. Discusses how TQM focuses on customer satisfaction, measuring performance, benchmarking, employee empowerment, and continuous training. Includes a list of suggested readings on TQM. (MDM)