Check & Connect was created in a five year period from 1990 to 1995. The original manual, entitled "Keeping Kids in School: Using Check & Connect for Dropout Prevention" and written by David Evelo, Mary Sinclair, Christine Hurley, Sandra Christenson, and Martha Thurlow, was published in 1996 (ED398701). This newly revised Check…

Explores the advantages of beginning or continuing a home visitation program as a method for developing positive school-home relationships. Reveals that home visitation is not widely practiced due to unavailable or uncooperative parents, lack of time, and safety concerns. Addresses strategies to overcome obstacles and program management concerns.…

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed this guide to provide advice, ideas, and inspiration to teachers, school administrators, and others for planning a hands-on environmental day at school. Many of the tips and ideas in this guide come from "Make a Difference Day" events supported by EPA. EPA launched its "Make a…

Designed to help U.S. citizens become aware of the needs of people living in developing countries, this puppet project is an action oriented education program implemented by the International Service Association for Health, Inc. (INSA). The program's primary purpose is to inform citizens about global concerns and issues while enlisting public…

This manual was developed for educators and natural resource managers who are establishing interpretive programs where biodiversity is the richest and most threatened. The manual contains five units which are based on the experiences of staff at the American Museum of Natural History and represent the key steps of designing an interpretation…

The Alberta Vocational Center (AVC) developed a portable competency-based learning system for use in non-institutional adult basic education community programs. The system addresses needs identified by the 1971 census which found 28% of Alberta's residents (over fifteen and out of school) had less than a ninth grade education. Administered through…

Describes a physics demonstration show where students conduct demonstrations for the rest of the school. By demonstrating a concept, students are forced to learn that concept in depth. Appendix includes a physics demonstrations resource list. (JRH)

Advocates including school-age children in community service programs as a way to give back to the community, build confidence, create a sense of power to make a difference, organize, solve problems, develop strategies, make decisions, and gain personal gratification. Includes guidelines for planning and ideas for community service projects. (SD)

This Vocational Education Resource Package (VERP) was developed to provide materials useful in replicating an exemplary vocational education program for special student populations in the California Community Colleges. This VERP provides information on two programs for limited English proficient students developed at Santa Barbara City College…

The theme for the 2001 Arizona Reading Program is 2001: A Reading Odyssey. This manual includes creative planning and publicity ideas, activities, crafts, bibliographies, and other resources. Changes made to the program this year include: making the materials available in January; provision of multiple workshops in accessible locations and with…

Provides a selection of criteria (including needs assessment, shared responsibilities, decision making, constant communication, and continuous participation) which must be part of lasting and long-term outreach efforts with parents. (MG)

Presents the Massachusetts Parent Involvement Project (MassPIP) comprising 59 local community coalitions of businesses, service organizations, school personnel, parents, and children. Describes steps coalitions follow in planning events and presents community success stories. The project developed a set of activities that parents can do at home…

This manual describes "Check and Connect," a procedure to prevent high risk secondary students from dropping out of school. The purpose of the "check" component is to assess the extent to which students are engaged in school and signs of school withdrawal. The purpose of the "connect" component is to respond on a regular basis to students'…

One of a series of instructional packets to aid schools in reducing sex stereotypes, this outreach packet is designed to inform and stimulate community support and encourage women in their attempt to assess and reenter the work world. Materials are suggested for use in forty-five to sixty minutes. Contents include a leader's script (material to be…