This chapter describes the concurrent reforms occurring in North Carolina--both campus-level changes focused on such issues as developing structured programs of study and state-level reforms aimed at supporting the campus efforts.

Civic learning for all students seems like a reasonable and important aim for all schools to achieve. If we believe that the future of our American democracy depends on a citizenry that is informed, engaged, and responsible, what better place to create future citizens than in schools? The Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools…

Students with low-incidence disabilities frequently receive less than optimal psychoeducational services because the specialized tests and instructional materials required to meet their idiosyncratic needs often are unavailable due to budget constraints, inadequate training of school personnel, and the difficulty school personnel have keeping…

Educational reform in the United States is perpetually evolving. Much of the recent reforms have concentrated on high-stakes testing and assessment, but a parallel effort has been emerging in the field of vocational and career education. Prompted partly by federal legislation--most recently by the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act…

Various approaches to the professional development school (PDS)--each designed for its respective audience, mission, and purpose for engagement--have shaped the professional development school effort during the past 25 years. Central to these approaches is improving teacher quality in the service of student learning. This provides direction for…

The National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC) was charged by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) from 2001-2006 to develop, implement, and evaluate an approach to technical assistance that would result in sustainable systems change in state Early Intervention and Preschool Special…

This document presents a speech delivered by Chancellor Bill Goertz at the meeting of the State Board of Higher Education last November 19, 2009. In his speech, Chancellor Goertz reports that: (1) according to a Delta Cost Project report, North Dakota ranked among the top five states in regard to market-based productivity; (2) the Midwest Higher…

To address key policy and programmatic questions and help improve student and system performance, states must work to link data across the early childhood, postsecondary and workforce (P-20/workforce) spectrum and share this information with appropriate stakeholders. This issue brief highlights current efforts in California, Florida, Indiana, and…

Organized to provide leadership, motivation, and coordination to foster a favorable climate for occupational research and development in vocational education, a research coordinating unit was established on June 1, 1965. The unit director operates under the Assistant Superintendent for Vocational Education and the Dean of the College of Education…

Reporting the results of statewide assessment looms as a problem as more states pass from the planning to implementation phase in their assessment programs. When energies are focused on the purpose of the assessment, formulating objectives, and instrument construction, reporting takes a back seat because it happens last. There are some general…

The historical background, information, and proposed policies and procedures for the special education services of the Michigan Department of Education are set forth. The status of each of the following programs is considered: physical and health handicaps, aurally handicapped, visually handicapped, educable and trainable retarded, emotionally…

Described is Vermont's program of individualized driver education for handicapped secondary students 15 years or older and for disabled adults no longer in school. Sections outline the following program components: three R's of driver's education (responsibilities of the schools, regulations of motor vehicles, and rights of the handicapped…

This book is designed to be a resource tool for all environmental education advocates and supporters, particularly those seeking to fully incorporate environmental education into their state and local school system. It provides a conceptual model for understanding comprehensive environmental education programs and the steps necessary to achieve…

Project Accommodate, a program designed to improve inservice to regular Nebraska secondary teachers serving handicapped students, is described. The state's needs for inservice training to implement the goal of providing services in the least restrictive environment are discussed as background to Project Accommodate's development. Goals of the…

This report, summarizing the proceedings at a February 1988 conference at Brown University on youth service, presents briefly an overview of the emerging network of youth service programs in the following states: (1) Minnesota; (2) Pennsylvania; (3) California; (4) Massachusetts; and (5) Ohio. Rationales for youth service are analyzed. Eight…