The federal government and private foundations for education have established postsecondary credential completion as a national imperative. Washington State's Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (I-BEST) model was developed to increase the rate at which basic skills students advance to and succeed in college-level occupational programs,…

Purpose: In the USA, as elsewhere, there is an ongoing need to improve quality in higher education. Quality improvement models from business have not been widely embraced, and many other approaches to accountability seem to induce minimal compliance. This paper aims to contend that learning communities represent a viable alternative in the quest…

This publication focuses mainly on research designed to improve adolescents learning of mathematics. Sometimes it provides insights into interventions to help all students learn more mathematics and sometimes special interventions that focus on the particular needs of nonproficient mathematics students. However, no intervention should diminish the…

Developed to provide Washington State educators with information on the evaluation of computer software or courseware, this booklet includes brief sections on general criteria for evaluating instructional materials, general criteria for evaluating courseware, and special considerations in evaluating courseware. Such considerations include deciding…

This study, which resulted in a revised music curriculum for the Snohomish, Washington, School District, addressed the problem of relating the measurement and evaluation of students in music courses to established student learning objectives. Part 1 establishes student learning objectives based on a proposed curriculum for a comprehensive K-12…

Intended for geography students, professors, and researchers, this publication deals with the process of political redistricting and shows how geographers can help devise plans that are responsible to office-holders, to voters, to legitimate community interests, and to a sense of territorial integrity. There are eight chapters. Chapter 1 examines…

Recognizing the responsibility of library staff members of maintain a pleasant environment for the public in the library, this manual discusses the library user's and library employee's rights under the law and how to protect them. It is arranged alphabetically by the type of problem or emergency that may be encountered. The procedure for handling…

A collaborative study surveyed cooperative vocational education teachers (N=59) and secondary special education teachers (N=16) from metropolitan, urban, and rural school districts in Washington State regarding (1) the number of physically or mentally disabled youth who are enrolled in and placed on jobs from cooperative education classes; (2)…

The purpose of this handbook is to encourage citizenship teachers and tutors to teach in ways that will increase the likelihood that their students will pass citizenship tests and interviews. It provides an overview of the citizenship process and includes activity ideas and a discussion of the elements of good teaching on this subject. This…

This paper, which consists of two parts, suggests criteria for the consideration of Washington State school superintendents engaged in creating racially integrated schools. Part I identifies components of an integrated school district, focusing on: access to schools, classes, and programs; staffing; facilities; curriculum; parental involvement;…

This packet contains a unit on teaching about volcanoes. The following question is addressed: How do volcanoes affect human life? The unit covers approximately three weeks of instruction and strives to present volcanoes in an holistic form. The five subject areas of art, language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies are integrated into…

The brochure is intended to help local school districts in Washington State design and implement programs for highly capable students. Included are a statement of Philosophy of Services, goals of such programs, a definition of "highly capable students," Information on identification of this population covers nomination, screening,…

This manual, prepared for the state of Washington, provides tools and strategies aimed at assisting building administrators in clinical approaches to teacher evaluation. The first section provides preliminary thoughts on the evaluation process and discusses the two major problems: acceptance and time. The second section discusses the sources and…

Gathered from practitioners in Washington state, this resource book contains composite lists of volunteer tutor management ideas and practices for teachers of literacy and English as a second language. The guide brings together into one reference work the ideas and resources gathered from 28 programs. The guide is organized around the three major…

Guidelines that were prepared for use in curriculum development efforts by schools and districts throughout the state of Washington are presented in this document. The philosophy of mathematics education reflected in these guidelines is presented, as are a discussion of areas to be addressed if needed improvements in the K-8 mathematics program…