Despite the requirement that teachers implement evidence-based instruction in their classrooms, a significant research-to-practice gap persists. Far too often, teachers resort to quick fixes found through online searches or rely on conventional wisdom to make instructional decisions. This is no surprise as identifying evidence-based interventions…

In today's world, much of what used to be individual work has become collaborative. Moreover, complex change initiatives often require individuals within and across organizations to team up to set and achieve meaningful goals. The role of researchers and evaluators is to offer support that can be used to strengthen the work of organizations and…

This report summarizes the results of the 2013-2014 AISD teacher appraisal and related survey items with emphasis on areas of need for additional professional development.

Over the past 15 months, the Virginia Board of Education has been redesigning its public school students' high school educational experience to better prepare them to participate in the global economy. To lay the groundwork for this redesign, the Profile of a Graduate was developed. The profile in turn grew out of a broader review of Virginia's…

International educational consultation is challenging work that requires not only attention to best practices in consultation but also additional focus on cultural norms and regularities. In the three articles of this special issue, the consultation competencies of consultants play a critical role, as exemplified by entry issues, problem-solving…

This article describes two methods for use in program development and refinement. Problem mapping and forcefield analysis are explained with a real-world example about parenting education. Both methods are visual and consider multiple causes and effects of a problem. The methods are effective for clearly thinking through a problem, identifying…

This paper documents Pittsburgh's transformation from a typical, adversarial district-union dynamic to one of deep, substantive collaboration over the course of several years. This work has catapulted Pittsburgh to the vanguard of efforts to improve teacher effectiveness, and helped secure more than $80 million in philanthropic and federal grants.…

Community education (CE) is discussed as a process and program for community improvement. A three-dimensional dynamic program design called "The Cube," which serves as a model for CE evaluation, is presented. (Author/JOW)

Research in the disciplines of education, science education, and environmental education has a rich history. While research in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) may be related to these traditions, there is a need for ESD to carve a new niche that promotes high quality and effective ESD programmes. With an eye towards practice and applied…

Describing a task force as a planning and problem-solving group within the school, this article outlines problems encountered in school-based planning efforts and ways to make future attempts more successful. (Author/JM)

A way to assess and improve organizational effectiveness is discussed, with a focus on factors that inhibit successful organizational performance. The basic assumption is that it is easier, more accurate, and more beneficial for individuals and organizations to identify criteria of ineffectiveness (faults and weaknesses) than to identify criteria…

Consultants and higher education clients have worked together for many years. The rapidly changing landscape of American higher education has produced continuing evolution in consulting practice and in the areas consultants serve. To use consultants effectively, institutions must learn about themselves, the consulting process, and available…

This catalog, the fourth edition issued by the U.S. Office of Education, provides current information on the state facilitator projects presently operating in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. It is designed especially for use by state facilitators and developer/demonstrators in the National Diffusion…

The author describes search conferences designed to allow participants to scan the broad environment of the elderly and to generate recommendations on key issues identified. He also comments on the process and content of the seminars and discusses and comments on some of the theoretical assumptions of searches. (CT)

Describes a rationale, instrument, and methodology to improve the practice of organization needs analysis. The approach involves the author's "career of the organization" exercise for the trainer's use in identifying organization problems and in conceptualizing the nature of needs-analysis problem solving relating to both individual and…