An Internet Location Dealing with School Reform in England

In this chapter, we've mentioned that the effective reforms implemented at some of the schools around the world might serve as useful examples for schools with similar needs in different countries. As a teacher, you can use the Internet to learn the details of how exemplary school reforms have been implemented in other nations. Gathering this specific information can help you and your colleagues decide whether elements of international reform could be readily transferred to help meet the needs of students at your own school.

As an example, you could try learning more about the reforms in elementary schools that were described in this chapter. Go to the Internet location of the United Kingdom's "Department for Education and Skills Standards and Effectiveness Unit" at http://www.standards.dfes.gov.uk. Among the choices you can make on the first screen are those involving the government's literacy and numeracy reforms. Under either heading you can read about the intent of the reforms, examine the curriculum frameworks teachers are to use in their classrooms, and download lesson plans suggested for teaching particular objectives and materials.

You also can find descriptions of practices at exemplary schools by clicking on "Beacon Schools" at the bottom of the first screen. The next screen says you can find schools "similar to your own" that emphasize "areas of particular interest to you or your school." Then, for example, click on "Case Studies" followed by "Nunthorpe Comprehensive School" to read a short question-and-answer interview about how this school improved student achievement.

You may have a special interest in some of the documents at the page listing "circulars" sent to schools in England (http://www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/circulars). For example, the information in "Schools Causing Concern" explains what is to be done with low-performing schools, and the information in "Social Inclusion: Pupil Support" describes "law and good practice" involving pupil behavior and discipline. Some of the questions you might consider as you explore this site include the following:

1. Do the curriculum frameworks used for literacy and numeracy resemble those used in school districts where you live?
2. Do the practices described at Beacon schools apply to reforming schools in general? Would they make sense at schools in the United States?
3. Would you like to teach at English schools emphasizing policies and practices described at this Internet site?
4. Do you believe this site provides concrete help for teachers and administrators in England?

You might also want to keep up with developments in school reform and the controversies surrounding it in England by going to the Electronic Telegraph at http://www.telegraph.co.uk; at the bottom of the first screen enter search terms such as "school reform."



If you wish to research other exemplary reforms described in this chapter, here are some web sites that might help you get started:

Contemporary Research on Five Educational Issues
This U.S. Department of Education has compiled this summary of Japan's educational system.

Education Week
http://www.edweek.com/ew/vol-20/42france2.htm and http://www.edweek.com/ew/ewstory.cfm?slug=42french.h20 These two articles from Education Week describe how U.S. early childhood educators are studying the success of France's early childhood programs.

The Educational System in Germany
You can read this entire case study report from the U.S. Department of Education online.

Six Nation Education Research Project
This ambitious project is studying schools in the U.S., China, Germany, Japan, Singapore and Switzerland. Topics include several mentioned in the chapter, such as vocational education, and math and science learning.