This monograph is one of a continuing series initiated to provide materials for teachers, parents, school administrators, and governmental decision-makers that might encourage reexamination of a range of evaluation issues and perspectives about schools and schooling. This monograph suggests a radical departure from the approaches to educational…

This issue of "Mini-School News" deals with the first 12 steps involved in starting a minischool. The first and most critical step is to clearly identify the problems that make reform seem necessary. The question then becomes one of identifying the possible solutions and sources of information about them. Then the data must be evaluated from a…

This report is one of six to be released by as many task forces on educational improvement and reform. The eight sections of this report include: (a) an introduction, which discusses the work of the task force; (b) an overview of the development and current operation of state education agencies (SEAs); (c) a view of the SEA as an effective change…

The revised papers from the federally sponsored summer institute on school reform (June 19 to August 18, 1972) and additional papers on school administration and the history of school reform make up this report. The papers do not constitute a systematic, coherent treatment of school reform or set forth a plan for school reform. Rather, they treat…

Provided in this interim report is a summary of activities relating to the Pikeville, Kentucky career education project. With specific emphasis placed on career education for the elementary grades and on occupational placement for grades 7-12, the report provides information on: (1) Goals and Objectives, (2) Project Design and Procedures, (3)…

THE PURPOSE OF THE 5-DAY SEMINAR WAS TO ASSIST RESEARCH COORDINATING UNIT PERSONNEL AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL LEADERS PLAN AND CONDUCT COMPREHENSIVE STATE PROGRAMS OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN VOCATIONAL EDUCATION. ITS SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES WERE TO (1) DEVELOP A CONCEPT OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND THE CONDITIONS ESSENTIAL FOR ITS SUCCESS, (2)…

The "Marshmallow Principle" introduced in this paper is stated as follows: "External pressure exerted on an organization to change its basic structure will, for as long as that pressure is applied, cause the organization's structure to bend and assume a new shape. Once the pressure is removed, the organization will reassume its original shape.…

Summarizes research on recent developments in the trend toward full-day kindergarten programs. Topics covered include (1) full-day and half-day differential gains, (2) the nature of gains produced by full-day kindergarten, (3) the lack of causal relations among program components, (4) enduring effects, (5) differential student effects, and (6)…

The author favors the creation of broad-based local industry-education alliances as the first step in a joint effort aimed at educational reform. A unified effort is necessary to plan and integrate resources effectively for educational reform and economic development. The National Association for Industry-Education Cooperation can assist these…

This paper discusses current school reforms and their role in addressing barriers to student learning. Providing all students an equal opportunity to succeed requires more than higher standards and greater accountability for instruction, better teaching, increased discipline, reduced school violence, and an end to social promotion. It also…

First Things First is a comprehensive intervention to transform low-performing public schools with high percentages of non-White and at-risk students. It encompasses major changes in school structure, instruction, and accountability and governance. The program model, which is grounded both in research and the best practices of schools serving…

The Index for Inclusion is a compilation of materials to support British schools in the process of inclusive school development. Part 1 introduces the Index, then identifies the following key concepts: inclusion, barriers to learning and participation, resources to support learning and participation, and support for diversity. Part 1 then…

This paper discusses the Science and Curriculum Reform Project, a model fostering science learning through a systematic approach to language development in young children; the paper focuses on the process and outcome of Component 1 and discusses the development phase of Component 2 of the project. The science curriculum promotes the content and…

Taiwan has two technology teacher departments: one at the National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) and the other at National Kaohsiung Normal University (NKNU). In recent years, both universities' technology teacher education programs have simultaneously followed two lines of development: the transition from an industrial arts education program to…

This article examines education reform in America, focusing on charter schools. It outlines the current issues in the educational system and details some of the problems that have been identified in recent years, such as lagging test scores. Some of the other difficulties that schools face include discipline problems, wasteful federal…