A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

APPLICATION NO      :    R215G30042 APPLICANT           :    Arkansas Department of Education                          State Education Building, Room 107A                          4 State Capitol Mall                          Little Rock, Arkansas  72201-1071 CONTACT PERSON	    :    Brenda Turner TELEPHONE	    :    (501) 682-4397 AWARD TO DATE       :    $1,022,829 PROJECT PERIOD      :    07/01/93-06/30/96 

The ultimate goal of this project is to improve student performance in English, Fine Arts, and Social Studies which integrates History, Geography, and Civics toward meeting the National Education Goals. The foundation of the project lies in the belief that fundamental change must take place in what is taught, how it is taught, and how we measure the results. The development of curriculum frameworks is the critical step in the overall restructuring of English, Fine Arts, and Social Studies education. To date, Arkansas educators and administrators have completed curriculum frameworks for English Language Arts and developed working drafts of curriculum frameworks for Fine Arts and Social Studies. Currently selected school districts are developing and piloting local curricula guides based on each of the frameworks which will be used to redefine what is taught and to suggest innovative teaching strategies. A cadre of English, Fine Arts, and Social Studies teachers are being trained to serve as ombudsmen to districts in the restructuring process. The work of these teacher leaders is being coordinated through the regional service cooperatives. Finally, the project is developing a system of portfolios and performance assessments that will measure student progress in thinking skills curriculum and is conducting professional development workshops to disseminate these assessments to teachers throughout the state.

The following summarize the overall objectives to be accomplished during the three-year project:

1. To develop model curriculum frameworks in English, Fine Arts, and Social Studies which integrates History, Geography and Civics.
2. To identify up to six districts which will develop model curricula based on the frameworks.
3. To disseminate framework and model curriculum guides to all districts.
4. To provide technical assistance to districts assuring adoption and/or adaption of curriculum guides in all districts.
5. To design and field test performance based assessment strategies that measure student proficiency within the thinking skills curriculum.
6. To design and implement a model in-service and pre-service training program linking frameworks, curriculum development, instruction and assessment.

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