Defining, Developing, and Using Curriculum Indicators

We begin with a brief review of the lessons learned in the Reform Up Close study, a Consortium for Policy Research in Education (CPRE) project funded by the National Science Foundation, then discuss the central issues involved in defining and measuring curriculum indicators, while noting how our approach has developed over the past 10 years (1992-2002). This is followed by a discussion about using curriculum indicators in school improvement, program evaluation, and informing policy decisions

Acherontiscus caledoniae: the earliest heterodont and durophagous tetrapod.

The enigmatic tetrapod Acherontiscus caledoniae from the Pendleian stage of the Early Carboniferous shows heterodontous and durophagous teeth, representing the earliest known examples of significant adaptations in tetrapod dental morphology. Tetrapods of the Late Devonian and Early Carboniferous (Mississippian), now known in some depth, are generally conservative in their dentition and body morphologies. Their teeth are simple and uniform, being cone-like and sometimes recurved at the tip. Modifications such as keels occur for the first time in Early Carboniferous Tournaisian tetrapods. Acherontiscus, dated as from the Pendleian stage, is notable for being very small with a skull length of about 15 mm, having an elongate vertebral column and being limbless. Cladistic analysis places it close to the Early Carboniferous adelospondyls, aïstopods and colosteids and supports the hypothesis of 'lepospondyl' polyphyly. Heterodonty is associated with a varied diet in tetrapods, while durophagy suggests a diet that includes hard tissue such as chitin or shells. The mid-Carboniferous saw a significant increase in morphological innovation among tetrapods, with an expanded diversity of body forms, skull shapes and dentitions appearing for the first time.NER

Upgrading High School Math: A Look at Three Transition Courses

This issue of CPRE Policy Briefs focuses on the nature of instruction in transition math courses, the consequences of student placement in the new transition courses, and the linkages among course type, course content, and student achievement. The findings presented here are based on both qualitative and quantitative data gathered from seven high school across four districts in two states. We studied transition math courses in seven high schools in San Diego and San Francisco in California and in Buffalo and Rochester in New York. We chose schools that had high percentages of minority and low-income students, because the problem of dead-end classes for low-achieving students is most sever in such schools. The transition math courses were initiated as early as 10 years ago in Rochester, New York schools, and 3 to 5 years ago in California schools

P4_5 The Relativistic Ionisation Speed Limit

The paper explores a possible speed limit to be enforced on relativistic vehicles so as to not expose pedestrians to ionising electromagnetic radiation; a result of Doppler shifted light from the vehicle’s headlights. A maximum speed limit of 2.89 × 108 ms-1, 0.96 times the speed of light, was established.Â

P4_2 Using the Forks: The Energy Yield of a Lightning Bolt

Lightning may be considered as a potential energy source if the yield is comparable to other renewable energy sources. The energy yield of one strike was evaluated to be 7.5×107 J, where approximately 50 strikes produce a yield equivalent to that of an average wind turbine in a year

P4_1 Dead Sea Walking

The paper investigates the possibility of walking on the water of the Dead Sea under the assumption that salt can be added to the lake. The current salinity is not sufficient to enable a person to walk on the water. Theoretically, this feat would be achievable if the lake contained 9.71 × 1015 kg of salt. Practically, this amount of salt would not dissolve in the volume of water present in the Dead Sea