This study examines the relative importance that local school personnel ascribe to certain facilitating conditions identified in the diffusion literature: administrative support of the change process, faculty motivation toward school improvement efforts, participatory decision-making, inservice training efforts, internal advocacy groups, linkage…

This publication is intended to be used by school districts in California that are in the process of developing district and individual school master plans for restructuring educational programs for kindergarten and grades 1-3. A number of considerations pertinent to development of these master plans are outlined: (1) district- and school-level…

Presents case study of an inservice training package designed to prepare teachers to implement proposed changes. Developed for an English as a second language (ELS) program for adult francophones, this package consists of workshops and materials which view implementing change as a learning process for teachers as well as students. (Author/LRW)

"We the People... Project Citizen" is a civic education program for Taiwanese middle school students that promotes informed and responsible participation in local government. A study evaluated the effects of the program on the civic skills and dispositions of adolescent students, explored factors associated with its effectiveness, and…

A study examined the performance of the High Schools That Work (HSTW) initiative in 1996 and 1998, based on data from the HSTW Assessments. Analyses found support for the hypothesis that HSTW is the cause of school improvement, although other non-measured factors may also influence these schools, and showed that between 1996-98 HSTW schools…

This paper describes a collaborative professional development model in which faculty in a College of Education partnered with a local school district to design and implement a year-long project in an effort to increase effective integration of technology in instruction by K-8 classroom teachers, university teacher preparation faculty, pre-service…

The Windham (Vermont) Partnership, a professional development school, cooperates with a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program that educates foreign language and English as a Second Language teachers. Within the Partnership, there are two seminars for mentors: the Reflective Teaching Seminar and the Teacher Research Seminar. Teachers are…

This report extends the results of an earlier study on the use of performance measures and standards to suggest principles for designing outcome-based program improvement systems. It examines the implications of that research for enhancing accountability in future federal work force preparation legislation. It also illustrates specifically how the…

This paper highlights eight states that have implemented alternate assessments for children with disabilities who cannot participate in their state and district-wide assessment programs. The alternate assessment systems in Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Minnesota, North Dakota, Utah, and West Virginia are briefly described, along with their…

These hearings transcripts compile testimony regarding how programs authorized by the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act and the Missing Children's Assistance Act currently operate, in preparation for upcoming reauthorization. Opening statements by U.S. Representatives Peter Hoekstra (Michigan) and Ruben Hinojosa (Texas) underscore the obligation to…

Eight major characteristics of educational programs that aim to successfully accommodate exceptional children in regular classes are identified, discussed, and illustrated. The effectiveness of the implementation of the Adaptive Learning Environments Program in a multiage primary classroom of low and high achievers is reported. (Author/RH)

Teacher education programs in 63 New York state colleges and universities were surveyed to determine which elements of competency-based teacher education have been adopted and the degree of participant satisfaction. Results reveal that concepts such as mastery learning, criterion-referenced assessment, and performance-based measures that evaluate…

Examines whether the technological development of expert systems can be achieved successfully by students in distance instruction, and differences between distance learning and traditional campus education. Results suggest that not only can successful systems development be achieved but that the hands-on aspect of systems development contributes…

This article discusses the rationale for establishing the Houston Teaching Academy (HTA), a professional development school for preparing teachers to teach in multicultural inner-city schools. Program implementation is described, and results of formative and summative evaluation are presented. (IAH)

Discussion of implementation of computer-based educational innovations highlights a case study of undergraduate music theory students who had the option of using computer-assisted instruction. Barriers to successful implementation are described, including instructor attitudes, instructional style, curriculum planning, lack of peer support, program…