Increasingly, educational reform is linked to the concept of professional learning communities (PLCs). Definitions of PLCs vary, but generally the concept refers to a group of educators who "continuously seek and share learning, and act on their learning" (Hord 1997, 6). Stoll and her colleagues, concluding their review of the current state of…

This report describes the Experimental Schools Project (ESP) conducted by the Franklin Pierce School District in Tacoma, Washington, under funding from the National Institute of Education. The ESP was a five-year program designed to provide the optimum learning environment for each student. Each of the district's 13 schools attempted, through…

Describes a 1981-82 pilot project in the use of computers in grades one through eight by six schools in two suburban Washington, DC, school districts. Despite "the many obstacles and barriers to computer literacy," three of the six schools made "amazing progress." (JBM)

The Wayne State University Studies/Weekend College Program demonstrates a cost effective, flexible model for conference courses. Designed to give adult, part-time students short-term intensive learning experiences, the conference course adapts typical conference activities (guest speakers, films, workshops) to a single or multidisciplinary theme,…

Reviewed in this document are the University of Hawaii's reorganization of its Laboratory School and the resulting program which focuses on curriculum research and development rather than preservice teacher training. The history behind the change, and specific changes in school organization, size and composition of school population, faculty…

The purposes of the "Pilot Study for the Active TV Viewer Scholar Education" project were to find low cost teaching methods that developed critical television viewing skills among elementary and secondary students, and to develop a parallel program of family education in an effort to modify family viewing practices to encourage critical…

This booklet describes the basic curriculum design and staff organization of Project LEM, an experimental open education program at Hillers Elementary School in Hackensack, New Jersey. The LEM open education plan is characterized by differentiated staffing, multiage and multiethnic groupings, personalized instruction, a structured schedule, a core…

This is a report about a program at the University of Massachusetts which allows undergraduate students to devise and teach one-credit courses with appropriate faculty supervision. Students without prior teaching experience must first take two credit hour workshops which train them in teaching skills. The program is coordinated by student affairs…

Summarizes aspects of secondary education in Portugal including (1) the general comprehensive course; (2) elective courses; (3) the twelfth school year; (4) evening classes; and (5) technical/vocational courses. Describes the Minister of Education's plan to vitalize vocational education by providing more humanistic foundation. (DB)

The characteristics of marginal high school students and the social dynamics that create conditions in schools that lead to truancy and eventual dropping out are described as an introduction to a discussion on how to deal with the problem. Guidelines for effective programs for marginal students are delineated, and the activities and scope of six…

Experimentation in the field of foreign language teaching and learning is underway in several countries under the auspices of the Council of Europe. A review of projects shows that many ways of introducing the communicative approach to language teaching have been tried. Experts from the Council for Cultural Cooperation visited member European…

Discusses a pilot project headquartered at an Ottawa (Canada) high school in which 2 Arctic explorers are connected by satellite to 300 elementary and secondary school sites around the world. Highlights include equipment description, fund raising, areas of curriculum development, the question answering system, uses for university researchers, and…

This paper presents a case study of the development of the Professional Analysis Team (PAT) program structured after the Quality Circle program used in industry. Modifications and innovations of the Quality Circle program are examined, and essential characteristics are outlined. The PAT program, designed to enable education professionals to use…

An experimental first-year college German course offered at the University of Texas at Austin emphasized communication, with a complementary de-emphasis on morphologically correct forms in spoken or written production. A modification of the Total Physical Response method was used to orient the students, and at four weeks the emphasis was shifted…

This report presents a general description of the 1970 "Project SOUL" summer program. The computer training course, intended for disadvantaged high school students, provides both training for immediate jobs and fundamental mathematical and scientific training for students going on to college. Included in this document are a description…