Abstract
This paper looks at how a variety of factors influence the curriculum changes at colleges and universities and how the universities must respond to these influences. The paper also compares the regular GPA evaluation and general requirements, major, and electives method, with a more comprehensive and portfolio building approach.

From the Paper
"Changes in the requirements of employers in the nature of society and even in fads and trends all influence the design of college curriculum. Colleges and universities must keep pace with the times or suffer from decreased demand for their services, measurable as declining enrollments. Changing a curriculum to address these concerns is made more complex by the fact that colleges are being challenged to devise curriculum reform efforts that enhance their innate capacity to ensure that students graduating or completing a..."

Tags:education, colleges and universities, curriculum reform

Abstract
This paper examines the American curriculum today, noting that it can be viewed as having remained substantially the same in form within, while undergoing enormous pressures to change from without. From such experimental programs as the Dalton Plan, the Winnetka Plan, and the Gary Plan, and from the pioneering work of Francis W. Parker and, notably, John Dewey, which ushered in the "progressive education" of the 1920s and 1930s, American schools, curricula, and teacher training have changed in favor of more flexible and cooperative methods. These new approaches have been pursued within a school that is seen as an overall learning community. The attempt to place the nature and experience of the child and the present life of the society at the center of school activity has been a primary focus of this approach.

From the Paper
"According to several studies in the last 10 years, the use of newer forms of assessment have provided an increasing alignment between what is being taught and what is being assessed. Anderson et al. point out that if assessment continues to advance, teachers should no longer feel compelled to "teach to tests" because tests will be more in harmony with good teaching practices. In the past, there was clear evidence that teachers frequently narrowed their curriculum just to improve test scores. Therefore, students who are engaged in programs of instruction using quality literature as a basis for reading, comparing, reflecting, and writing will clearly have an advantage on new forms of reading assessment."

Tags:distance, education, SBDM, PAL, claassroom

Abstract
The paper explains that systemic reform in education is a concept that has emerged in education policy over the last ten years throughout many nations; regardless of the geographical setting, it embodies three integral components: 1) the promotion of ambitious student outcomes for all students, 2) the alignment of policy approaches and the actions of various policy institutions to promote such outcomes ,and 3) the restructuring of the governance system to support improved achievement. The author reviews five pieces of legislation designed to encourage comprehensive educational reform throughout the U.S. by appropriating federal funds to entice the states to join voluntarily in the reform movement and by supporting opportunities for all to learn and achieve, formative summative assessment, professional development of teachers and administrators, school-based management and accountability, systemic programs of school-to-work transition, safer schools, and educational research to support these provisions. The paper states that educational reforms in the United Kingdom are sufficiently different from the U.S. discussed above; of all the educational inequalities regarding policy-making, gender has shown the most dramatic shift in the United Kingdom.

From the Paper
"In order to ensure improvement throughout the educational system in the United States, the National Goals Panel was established in 1990 and recognized the need for the development of "new, clear and ambitious standards for the educational achievement of all students." A few months later Congress established the National Council on Education Standards and Testing, a committee that recommended the creation of a voluntary national standard and a voluntary national standard of student assessments. This Panel adopted a charter for a National Education Standards and Assessment Council (NESAC). The mission of the NESAC was to "ensure that the many standard-setting activities currently underway move forward expeditiously and reflect a broad national consensus about what American students should know and be able to do if they are to achieve at world-class levels.""

Tags:funding, gender, council, systemic, assessment

Abstract
The paper defines "curriculum" and states that the educational curriculum has undergone dramatic changes, reflecting the changes in culture today. The paper relates that the educational curriculum has undergone many reforms, as the classrooms of today are filled with students of diverse age, socioeconomic status, etc. and that their diversity is definitely greater today than at any other time in the history of education. This paper analyzes and outlines the reforms in the educational curriculum over the past 25 years and includes a discussion on diversity.

Outline:
Introduction
Definition of Curriculum
Curriculum Reforms
Diversity
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Diverse educational goals, as well as varying life and economic circumstances, produce different patterns in student attendance. What was at one time the traditional college student, a white male of 18 to 20 years old, attending a four-year, liberal arts college full-time, and living on campus, is now a minority student in higher education. In addition to those students, the current college population also includes significant proportions of older students returning to school due to changes in the economy, women's roles, and work environments. Over half of the undergraduate population is over 21 years of age, and 41 percent are over 24 years of age. Another difference is the socioeconomic status of current students. This ranges from those whose families are able to finance their education fully, to adults whose incomes must also cover family expenses, to low-income students who require financial assistance. Students from lower economic and societal classes during their youth have led many of today's college students to value vocational training over learning for learning's sake. As compared to the past, women currently make up the majority of most institutions' undergraduate student bodies."

Tags:education, curriculum, reforms, diversity

Abstract
This paper explores the concept of curriculum, which relates to learning that occurs in relation to any subject within the context of the school or because of it. The paper stipulates that curriculum is connected in the United States to the schools and the learning that is planned within a course of study or within the institution. The paper further contends that curriculum that is considered broadly pertains to the entire education of the student because it involves all aspects of the student's educational experience.

From the Paper
"The concept of curriculum relates to learning that occurs in relation to any subject within the context of the school or because of it. Kelly (1999) stipulates that curriculum is connected in the United States to the schools and the learning that is planned within a course of study or within the institution (p.10). Kelly (1999) further contends that curriculum that is considered broadly pertains to the entire education of the student because it involves all aspects of the student's educational experience (p. 10). However, curriculum is also defined by some in terms of each lesson that is created and causes information to accumulate over..."

Tags:education, reforms, curriculum

Abstract
The paper summarizes and presents in paragraph form the items for school reform listed in a survey. The paper includes nineteen pages of items covering nine general areas such as curriculum development, school climate, supervisory practices, and staff development. Together, these questions are designed to help a school identify its strengths and weaknesses.

From the Paper
"A school's philosophy, mission or `vision' statement should be a document created jointly by all stake holders in the school (staff, townspeople, parents, even students) that is accepted by all and referred to often in making all major policy decisions. Before any new program is added everyone asks whether or not it fits in with the vision. All staff members, administrators, students and the community share a sense of this vision."

Tags:reform, curriculum, renewal

Abstract
This paper addresses major innovations in educational reform since 1983 within the United States. This paper focuses on increased accountability in education as a negative aspect of educational reform.

Tags:EDUCATION / CURRICULUM THEORY AND ISSUES, educational reform accountability

Abstract
This paper provides a summary and evaluation of two different views on the best type of educational reform theories: constructivism and objectivism. The paper then provides a summary of the main points of the two respective evaluations of the views of David Elkind and Jamin Carson.

From the Paper
"Constructivism rests largely on the theoretical framework of learning and development established by Jean Piaget in the sense that it argues learners construct knowledge from their experiences and interactions. A simple explanation of constructivism might be that it assumes people learn best when they learn by doing. Advocates of constructivism as a teaching methodology, like David Elkind, maintain that it provides individuals with deeper levels of understanding and internalization. Based on epistemology, Elkind argues constructivism avoids the pitfalls of educational reforms based on political or social events..."

Tags:education, knowledge, learning, teaching, curriculum, Piaget, society, metaphysical, epistemological, theories, learners, reality

Abstract
The paper argues that interesting, inspiring and even entertaining curricula must be presented for special-needs children and that a multicultural approach should be the goal of schools and teachers. The paper explores the research on the need for a multicultural curriculum and looks at Banks' and McIntosh's stages to a fully multicultural curriculum reform. The paper focuses on a science curriculum for special education classes that will use the "hands-on" approach and also suggests a quiz on a science topic that can be given to students.

Outline:
Introduction
Generalizations / Overture
Curriculum Ideas
Curriculum Reform
Science Curriculum for Special Education Classes

From the Paper
"Banks' second stage is "Ethnic Additive Approach" (content added to the curriculum "without changing the mainstream or Eurocentric structure of the curriculum"). One example of this curriculum would be to add a Native American (Indian) unit that has been called "Westward Movement" so that not only are pioneers and explorers (like Lewis & Clark) taught, but also rather the Native Peoples who lived there prior to Europeans' advancement west are fully revealed and studied. In other words, a teacher adds an ethnic aspect to a unit that is already in place. This should be more than an "afterthought" (www.pinoyteach.com); it should be meaningful to children because they will likely perceive tokenism with regard to adding ethnic content.
"The third phase, according to EdChange (using Banks and Peggy McIntosh's ideas) is "Integration": teachers move well beyond heroes and holidays and add "substantial materials and knowledge about non-dominant groups" to the curriculum. There may also be an emphasis on books by women, or by authors of color. For example, what was the role of women in World War I? What were some of the slave hymns or songs that black folks brought from Africa? Banks' stage 3 (www.edchange.org) is called "Transformative Approach": this approach restructures the curriculum to incorporate "concepts, issues, and events" that are viewed in context with diverse ethnic and cultural perspectives. For example, a unit could be called "Encounter between Two Worlds" and would embrace the viewpoints of both the explorers (like James Cook) and the native peoples whose land the explorers arrived on (like Hawaiians)."

Tags:disabilities, diversity, integration

Abstract
The paper explains how "Breakthrough Leadership: A Way Forward" presents a restructuring plan of the way a school district is managed, curriculum is designed and instruction is implemented. The paper discusses, however, how there is no reasonable expectation that the ideal system set out in this book can actually be put into practice. The paper concludes that the book is a great idea, a great structure and a potential revolution in the making, but all the ideals mean relatively nothing in the face of the complex opposition to change.

From the Paper
"We understand that the nature of education, its very essence, has not changed significantly over the course of human history. The internal dynamic, the direct instruction method followed by practice is an essential element to our very fabric as humans - every culture has developed this kind of instruction and has perfected it for its use. Fullan, Crevola and Hill do nothing to change the status of this arrangement, they do not introduce new methodologies that change the core dynamic - other than to seek to facilitate the ability of the instructor to create curriculum that fits the needs of the students rather than adhering strictly to district-managed curricular programs."

Tags:curriculum, instruction, teachers, classroom