In January 2007, the Oregon State Board of Education mandated a new Oregon diploma that strengthened high school graduation requirements with the aim of improving student readiness for college and career. Among the major changes was a requirement that students demonstrate proficiency in nine "essential skills" that included the…

Article examined critical evaluation of the interest-centered curriculum, one in which students meet graduation requirements by accumulating a preestablished number of course units required by their school or department. (Author/RK)

Three areas of social change which impact on American private schools are considered: increasing governmental intervention; the changing American family; and the cycles of educational reform, which currently emphasize basic skills. Activities of the Commission on Educational Issues of the National Association of Independent Schools are also…

This paper describes the Success for All Program and items that need be considered when the program is implemented in elementary schools. The program includes one-to-one tutoring; frequent assessment; a family support team; innovative curriculum approaches in reading, writing, and language arts; and other interventions. Discussion expands on…

Chandler (Arizona) High School has reported a dramatic increase in student achievement levels since implementing a number of management, curriculum, and discipline policy changes. Among the program changes that contributed to these gains are: (1) creation of a positive school environment, with high expectations for teachers, emphasis on high…

Ribault (Florida) Senior High School has reported a dramatic increase in student achievement levels since implementing a comprehensive college preparation curriculum. Among the program changes that contributed to those gains are: (1) the establishment and consistent enforcement of a strong discipline program, including rules for student conduct, a…

A model experience-based career education program for secondary school students in Philadelphia, called the Academy for Career Education, has been operated by Research for Better Schools, Inc. (RBS), for three years. It utilizes employer/community participants as instructional agents and learning sites for career exploration and specialization,…

The chief purpose of this project was to prepare descriptions of exemplary programs in childhood education and reading having sufficient merit to be considered as visitation sites for other educators. The childhood education phase of this project was funded jointly by the Office of Economic Opportunity and the Office of Education. Its purpose was…

The Paideia Program is an integrated liberal arts curriculum implemented in elementary and secondary Chicago, Illinois, public schools. This report highlights its operation in Sullivan High School. Program components include the following: (1) didactic teaching; (2) coaching; and (3) Socratic questioning of guided discussion. Students must acquire…

An overview of the nature, benefits, and steps involved in Colorado's Guaranteed Graduate Program, a process that assures that high school graduates have the knowledge and skills considered essential for entry into employment and postsecondary education, begins this document. A discussion of the portfolio process follows, along with descriptions…

The National Dissemination Leadership Project (NDLP) is a special project of the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) funded by the National Institute of Education (NIE). The project provides a secretariate to facilitate communication among state education agencies (SEAs), NIE, and other agencies and individuals concerned with improving…

Brief, two-page abstracts are provided for 15 educational topics of interest to community college faculty, administrators, and staff. Each abstract is coded to indicate intended audience, subject category, and level of concern. The topics covered by the abstracts are: (1) five major components of teacher evaluation; (2) writing an abstract; (3)…

Today, this country is facing awesome challenges. Technology is changing all aspects of life, while work force requirements shift rapidly, swelling the numbers of workers who need to be retrained. At the same time, information technologies are creating changes in the automated office. Higher-level literacy is required for most workers in this…

While minority youth and adults have traditionally experienced high rates of unemployment, recent demographic, educational, and technological changes have all combined to cause a sharp increase in the numbers of unemployed and displaced minority group workers. A review of past employment and training programs such as the Comprehensive Employment…