Metric Education. Interpretive Report No. 1.

This report reviews the findings of two projects funded by the National Institute of Education (NIE) ano conducted by the American Institutes for Research (AIR). The project reports, "Going Metric" and "Metric Inservice Teacher Training," document the impact of metric conversion on the educational systems of Great Britain, New Zeland, Australia, South Africa, and Canada in order to provide educators and other planners with guides for preparing a national conversion program. Three vital needs were identified for a successful conversion policy in the U.S.: (1) a broad-scale involvement of all major elements in early planning, (2) a committed government policy and firm schedules, and (3) continued communication and coordination as conversion progresses. Recommendations include: (1) the creation of a national evaluative body that would establish clear uniform standards for metric educational materials; and (2) a coordinated teacher training strategy, with direct communication links with teachers and provisions for feedback on metric curriculum materials. (JW)