Investigating the Influence of Standards : A Framework for Research in Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education

by WEISS IRIS (ED)

• ISBN13: 9780309072762
• ISBN10: 030907276X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-01-01
• Publisher: Natl Academy Pr

Summary

Since 1989, with the publication of Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for Mathematics by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, standards have been at the forefront of the education reform movement in the United States. The mathematics standards, which were revised in 2000, have been joined by standards in many subjects, including the National Research Council's National Science Education Standards published in 1996 and the Standards for Technical Literacy issued by the International Technology Education Association in 2000.There is no doubt that standards have begun to influence the education system. The question remains, however, what the nature of that influence is and, most importantly, whether standards truly improve student learning. To answer those questions, one must begin to examine the ways in which components of the system have been influenced by the standards.Considering the Influence provides a framework to guide the design, conduct, and interpretation of research regarding the influences of nationally promulgated standards in mathematics, science, and technology education on student learning. Researchers and consumers of research such as teachers, teacher educators, and administrators will find the framework useful as they work toward developing an understanding of the influence of standards.

Table of Contents

Executive Summary	1	(10)
Introduction	11	(6)
Standards for Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education	17	(12)
The Context in Which Standards Evolved	18	(2)
Developing National Standards in Mathematics	20	(2)
Developing National Standards in Science	22	(2)
Developing Standards for Technological Literacy	24	(1)
Commonalities Across the Mathematics, Science, and Technology Standards	24	(5)
A Framework for Investigating the Influence of Education Standards	29	(10)
An Overview of the U.S. Education System	29	(2)
One View of the Education System	31	(2)
The Elements of the Framework	33	(6)
Curriculum as a Channel of Influence: What Shapes What Is Taught to Whom?	39	(10)
Curriculum in the Education System	39	(5)
Implications of Policy Decisions	39	(2)
Development of Instructional Materials and Programs	41	(1)
Selection Mechanisms	42	(2)
How Standards Might Influence Curriculum	44	(2)
The Curriculum Channel and Nationally Developed Standards	46	(3)
Teacher Development as a Channel of Influence: How Do Teachers Learn What and How to Teach?	49	(10)
Teacher Development in the Education System	50	(5)
Teacher Preparation	50	(2)
Certification and Licensure	52	(1)
Ongoing Professional Development	53	(2)
How Standards Might Influence Teacher Development	55	(2)
The Teacher Development Channel and Nationally Developed Standards	57	(2)
Assessment and Accountability: What Kinds of Assessment Are Used and for What Purposes?	59	(12)
Assessment and Accountability in the Education System	60	(7)
Accountability	60	(2)
Classroom Assessment	62	(1)
State and District Assessment and Accountability Policies	63	(1)
College Entrance and Placement Practices	64	(1)
Impact and Unintended Consequences of Assessment	65	(2)
How Standards Might Influence Assessment and Accountability	67	(1)
The Assessment and Accountability Channel and Nationally Developed Standards	68	(3)
Contextual Forces that Influence the Education System	71	(8)
Who Affects the Education System from ``Outside''?	71	(4)
Outside Forces Affecting Decision Making	73	(1)
Outside Forces Affecting Components Within the Education System	74	(1)
How Can Nationally Developed Standards Influence Those ``Outside'' the System? How Might They, in Turn, Influence the Education System?	75	(1)
Contextual Forces and Nationally Developed Standards	76	(3)
Using the Framework	79	(18)
The Framework in Review	79	(4)
How the Framework Can Be Used	83	(11)
Situating Current Studies	86	(2)
Examining Claims and Inferences Reported in Current Studies	88	(4)
Generating Questions and Hypotheses for Future Investigations	92	(2)
Aspirations for Framework-Driven Research on Nationally Developed Standards	94	(3)
References	97	(28)
Appendixes
A Participants at the Workshop on Understanding the Influence of Standards in K-12 Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education	109	(4)
B A Framework for Investigating the Influence of Nationally Developed Standards for Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education	113	(2)
C Biographical Sketches	115	(10)
Index	125