The American Association of School Administrators and Partners for Quality Learning have introduced a new initiative to train district officials, principals, teachers, and parents in the principles of outcomes-based education.
The groups plan to sponsor seminars for school leaders aimed at developing outcomes-based plans and dispelling myths about the often controversial approach to schooling.
Partners for Quality Learning is the new parent organization of the National Center for Outcome-Based Education in Phoenix and the Center for Outcome-Based Education in San Francisco.
O.B.E.--which has been popularized as a link to the national standards movement--emphasizes setting guidelines for what students should know and be able to do.
Some conservative groups have criticized proponents of the approach for trying to instill values instead of focusing on results.
More information about the seminars is available by calling Sandy Clark, A.A.S.A. senior associate director for professional development, at (703) 875-0727.
The A.A.S.A. last week announced the winners of the Leadership in Learning Awards, which are sponsored by the national administrators’ group and the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association.
Three public school superintendents were awarded $4,000 each this year for developing programs to improve student achievement in urban, rural, and suburban districts.
The winners, honored at the A.A.S.A.'s annual meeting in San Francisco, were: Gerald E. George of the Glendale Union High School District in Glendale, Ariz.; Cheryl Morris Brothers of the Happy Valley Elementary School District in Santa Cruz, Calif.; and George A. Goldstein of the Sewanhaka Central High School District in Elmont, N.Y.
The National Association of Secondary School Principals is asking its members to nominate students for the All-U.S.A. High School Academic Team, which is sponsored by N.A.S.S.P. and the National Education Association.
USA Today is helping to organize and fund the program, which honors 20 students who have excelled in various subjects, according to the N.A.S.S.P.
The deadline for nominations is March 12; the team members will be named in May.
More information about nominations is available by calling USA Today at (703) 558-5613.
--JOANNA RICHARDSON
