Learning and Understanding

This book takes a fresh look at programs for advanced studies for high school students in the United States, with a particular focus on the Advanced Placement and the International Baccalaureate programs, and asks how advanced studies can be significantly improved in general. It also examines two of the core issues surrounding these programs: they can have a profound impact on other components of the education system and participation in the programs has become key to admission at selective institutions of higher education.By looking at what could enhance the quality of high school advanced study programs as well as what precedes and comes after these programs, this report provides teachers, parents, curriculum developers, administrators, college science and mathematics faculty, and the educational research community with a detailed assessment that can be used to guide change within advanced study programs.Table of ContentsFront MatterExecutive Summary1. Introduction2. Context of Advanced Study3. The Advanced Placement Program4. The International Baccalaureate Programme5. Other Opportunities and Approaches to Advanced Study6. Learning With Understanding: Seven Principles7. Designing Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment, and Professional Development8. Analysis of the AP and IB Programs Based on Learning Research9. Analysis of AP and IB Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment, and Professional Development10. Uses, Misuses, and Unintended Consequences of AP and IB11. RecommendationsReferencesAppendix A: Overview of Panel Findings and RecommendationsAppendix B: Biographical Sketches of Committee MembersAppendix C: Statement of TaskIndexContent Panel Report: BiologyContent Panel Report: ChemistryContent Panel Report: PhysicsContent Panel Report: Mathematics