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Teacher Certification

 Poor results on a new teacher certification exam in Massachusetts (a problem in other states also) renewed the national debate concerning the proper way to train teachers. Critics argue that teacher training focuses too much on method and too little on substance. Supporters of teacher certification say that the problem is that school districts insist that teachers teach outside their specialties. 

Standards

 Is there a crisis in American education? Are standards the cure? Some observers say that standards can't hurt, but are only a part of the solution. Some fear that heavy emphasis on standards will turn classrooms into assembly lines where creativity will wane and "teaching to the test" will flourish, or that the emphasis on standardized tests will increase social stratification. Implementing standards will be difficult, but some observers suggest there may be compromises that all sides could accept.

School Uniforms

 An increasing number of public schools have adopted dress codes requiring school uniforms. Read a critique of this trend and an expert analysis of the pros and cons of uniforms.

Test scores versus IQ scores

 In February 1998, two reports gave different impressions of the knowledge and intelligence of American students. One report noted poor US performance on math and science; the other noted sharp improvements on IQ tests. In follow-up commentary, some observers, including Howard Gardner, questioned what these test scores teach us about students. Exactly what constitutes intelligence is also a matter of dispute.

Methods of math instruction

 Should math instruction encourage students to develop multiple approaches to answering questions or solving problems? Former US Education Secretary Lynn Cheney offers a critical appraisal; Professor Thomas Romberg of UW-Madision supports the new approach.

Computers in education

 Around the country, school districts are devoting more resources to instructional technology, particularly computers. An article in the July 1997 Atlantic Monthly argues that the benefits are not worth the cost. An article in FamilyPC holds out more hope for computers in classrooms.

(We welcome suggestions for other issues to post.)

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