Science and mathematics literacy are fundamental to the basic understanding of food and health and/or the pursuit of science-based careers. In 1999, the FoodMASTER Initiative (FMI) was created to provide an opportunity for youth to experience authentic, real-world health science activities in K-12 learning environments. FMI administrative…

The New Mexico Public Education Department (PED)--through its various divisions and bureaus--has been actively engaged with pueblos, tribes, nations, and the school districts serving American Indian students. The purpose of this report is to provide information required by the Indian Education Act and State-Tribal Collaboration Act to stakeholders…

Since 2012, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation has supported educational enrichment in rural areas by awarding over $3.3 million in grants to six outstanding organizations operating in Iowa, Indiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. In this report, the authors combine the experiences of these organizations with findings from the…

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation has provided over $3.3 million in grants to outstanding providers of educational enrichment in rural areas since 2012. In extensive interviews, rural education experts in our grantee organizations shared their practical knowledge of the best ways to identify academically talented students in rural areas, provide…

Writing is a powerful learning tool that allows students to connect critical thinking across the curriculum. Good writing skills are necessary for students to succeed in higher education and on the job. Teachers, however, are avoiding teaching writing, in part because it has not been included until recently in high stakes testing, and in part…

In order to help teachers negotiate the changing contexts of foreign language education, the National K-12 Foreign Language Resource Center (NFLRC) at Iowa State University began offering summer institutes in 1994. The authors were surprised at the intense interest in the institutes focused on technology. Since then the NFLRC has offered 36…

Heather B. Weiss and Priscilla D. Little of the Harvard Family Research Project suggest seven possible approaches to strengthening OST (Out-of-School) organizations, including methods to ensure that OST providers become stronger partners with other groups and more adept advocates for their field. Strategies discussed include: (1) Cultivate…

Describes a group of science teachers' experiences as they network about the motivational benefits of participating in various summer professional development programs. (ASK)

The Texas A and M University Principals' Center serves principals by providing them with the orientation, skills, and understanding to enhance their position as instructional leaders in their schools. Some of the services offered include a Summer Academy with nine regional clusters to support principals in their regions, and a toll-free hotline…

Describes a summer institute designed to connect those self-identified "word wizards" and "number crunchers"--those teachers who might name themselves as either more comfortable with written literacy or with numeracy. Concludes that teachers need professional development that provides the opportunity to team with others (different disciplines,…

Describes the Summer Science Program at Bath University in England which provides an intimate study of different approaches to teaching science and offers an informal and extended opportunity to work with educators from all over the United States, England, and many other countries. Studies the national education system of Great Britain and…

For 22 years, at 166 sites around the world, over 1 million teachers have been teaching each other in nearly identical National Writing Project summer institutes. This article discusses the lessons learned about teacher leadership, the qualities of worthwhile staff development, writing instruction, and educational reform's bumpy landscape. (MLH)

A Connecticut business association helps place teachers in job-related summer work and promotes their image as professionals. Because teachers apply course teachings to first-hand experiences, the internship helps ensure that skilled teachers will instruct future workers. Describes ways to set up a summer job placement program. (CJH)

As part of its contract to develop a framework for continuous school improvement in its four-state region (Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia), Appalachia Educational Laboratory staff designed the Quest project. Based upon principles of inquiry, collaboration, and action research, Quest supports and investigates ongoing school…

Presents an approach to remedying the technological turbulence that both k-12 and university faculty face. Describes the Electronic Communication Across the Curriculum Summer Workshop. Offers this workshop as a model approach for other workshop developers, for those interested in educational partnerships, and for those committed to professional…