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…

The Appalshop School Initiative is a joint research project between eastern Kentucky teachers using the Foxfire instructional approach and a media arts and education center. Teachers use Appalshop's documentaries about central Appalachia as part of an educational strategy to challenge students to interpret their own environment, culture, and…

This report describes the first 3 years of three Excellent Beginnings projects from 1991 to 1994 funded by the Plan for Social Excellence, a private nonprofit foundation that creates or supports innovative pilot projects in education. Programs that are flexible and responsible to needs of individuals and communities, rather than system-wide…

Experiences that have been gained in Illinois in efforts to achieve interinstitutional coordination and cooperation among colleges and universities are described. Attention is directed to the role of the Illinois Master Plan Phase III to establish an integrated incentives in cooperative programs, experiences in the operation of an incentive grant…

Comprehensive work experience and vocational guidance activities were established at the middle school level and their effects on career maturity and attitudes toward school of ninth graders were tested. The project was conducted at the Bowling Green Junior High School (Kentucky) during the academic school year of 1975-76. (The school supports a…