Several decades of research have suggested a meaningful relationship between time and learning, where the amount of time students spend engaged in learning is strongly associated with their level of achievement. Among schools that have expanded the day and/or year, researchers have found that such a strategy can be quite effective, especially with…

It's been a decade since former President Bush proposed and Congress passed the No Child Left Behind law. The goal of this law was to raise student achievement and reduce the gap between different groups of students, especially white and minority students. The law's passage reflected a broad consensus among elected officials, business leaders and…

Poverty and unemployment aren't spread evenly across cities or regions, but rather are concentrated in disinvested urban neighborhoods and rural communities around the country. These communities are home to the nation's most vulnerable children and families. Despite some signs of improvement in economic conditions for families in the United…

Presented are suggestions to help acquire increased community support for music education in general, and MIOSW (Music in Our Schools Week) in particular. MENC (Music Educators National Conference) has selected March 9-15, 1981 for MIOSW. (KC)

The positive features of nonperformance programs such as general music and music appreciation should be communicated often and effectively to the community. There are many effective publicity media appropriate for nonperformance programs. (AM)

This strategy guide is for mentors, support workers and coaches who are working with school-aged children and youth who are affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). In addition to supporting these children and youth at home and in the community, mentors may be involved in advocating for and supporting them at school. This guide…

Contends that good, highly visible adult education programs can increase public confidence in the schools. (JM)

Guidelines for implementing a multi-source approach to funding child care programs are offered in this paper. The funding plan discussed consists of five steps: (1) building a climate of acceptance, (2) documenting the need for funds, (3) establishing realistic short- and long-term goals, (4) identifying possible funding sources and their special…

This brief suggests that not every historic school can or even should be saved, but all too often, historicschools and options for renovation are routinely dismissed without full consideration of alternatives or community input. The article further asserts that many schools are either abandoned ordemolished simply because of their age, as school…

This document presents a South Carolina statewide consensus of what children are expected to know and be able to do in mathematics and the changes necessary in the education system to support what teachers and students do every day in the classroom. Chapter titles are: (1) "A Vision for Change"; (2) "Learning and Teaching…

This manual is intended to be used by parents, teachers, school administrators, students, community organizations and residents as a guide to identifying, planning, implementing, and maintaining large- and small-scale school improvement projects. Its sections address: (1) key terms and concepts; (2) types of school improvement projects; (3)…

Describes ways teachers can prevent cutbacks in school music programs. A strong argument can be presented that music education is economically efficient because music teachers carry above average class loads. Suggestions for ways that teachers can provide leadership in organizing public support are included. (AM)

The author states that if school personnel would invest more time and effort toward involving parents in school, then the school could expect greater understanding and support from parents. He suggests parent coffees, tours of the school, and parent orientation. (KC)

This guide discusses the involvement of religious congregations in family child care. Topics include: (1) definitions of family child care and family child care providers; (2) the importance and benefits of family child care; (3) reasons why congregations should be interested in child care and choose child care ministries; (4) the role of churches…

This guide presents practical applications from a research study about the processes that schools use to initiate and sustain reforms. It examines the history of 10 elementary schools in high-poverty settings, including details of behavioral and attitudinal changes. Ten capacities were associated with the stages of successful reform. The…