This report describes ongoing efforts of the Maine Department of Education to encourage high school improvement through state-level actions. Three intertwined strategies have added value to the individual schools' improvement efforts, including: (1) the drafting of a statewide reform framework called Promising Futures; (2) the creation of a new…

This manual provides background information about the Senior Citizen School Volunteer Program (SCSVP) and describes the program model that has been developed and implemented by the staff of Generations Together in more than 75 schools. The SCSVP develops intergenerational programs by involving older people as volunteers in elementary and secondary…

This manual presents information on designing and delivering a summer learning program whose goal is to provide an opportunity for students to experience academic success and positive self-esteem through reading fluency and comprehension. Sections of the manual address background and policies (on student and teacher selection, student promotion,…

This guide contains all of the information, support and tools that community members need to implement "Talking About Mental Illness" in their community--an awareness program proven to be effective in bringing about positive change in young people's knowledge about mental illness, and in reducing stigma that surrounds mental illness. The…

Outlines the plan established for implementation of microtechnology at the Center for Educational Advancement (Pikeville College, Kentucky) and discusses actual procedures taken to fulfill the implementation. Indicates that the implementation design may be of use to others (education, business, industry) interested in this model for the…

An experimental Indian education program allows impoverished primary and secondary school students to earn money producing consumer goods as an adjunct to learning activities while in school. The program's organization and implementation strategy are described, and the social factors determining its success are examined. (AM)

Describes a study which examined teacher self-evaluation programs in British school districts. Questionnaires were sent to local education authorities (LEAs) to determine the extent to which the authorities were becoming involved in program development and to investigate the processes by which LEAs created their guidelines for teachers. (AM)

Describes the World of Work Experience program designed to involve teacher educators and related support personnel in a process of curriculum change in the area of teaching their students how to implement career education. Describes program methods, which focus on field trips, and outcomes (tables summarize evaluation data). (CT)

Describes a successful school-wide reading program at one high school which sought to change students' attitudes toward reading. Discusses envisioning the program, promoting it, gathering momentum, and ensuring its continued success. (SR)

Purpose-centered learning, which requires students to use their studies to address challenges they identify in their community, is effective in all types of schools and with diverse students. The system can generally be implemented simply by reallocating existing resources and rethinking traditional approaches. Purpose-centered education connects…

Shows how five key dimensions of efficient production organizations have been applied directly to improving school productivity through a national school reform effort, the Accelerated Schools Project. Substantial productivity gains can be obtained at a marginal cost (less than 1% of the school budget) through transforming schools to improve their…

Describes the inception and development of an Ethiopian refugee English program in Cairo, Egypt. The following topics are addressed: (1) background; (2) teachers; (3) program; (4) classes; (5) materials; (6) content; and (7) day-to-day administration. An essay on "refugeehood" by a program participant is included. (BJV)

Oregon State University implemented Total Quality Management in nine phases: exploration; establishing a pilot study team; defining customer needs; adopting the breakthrough planning process; performing breakthrough planning in divisions; forming daily management teams; initiating cross-functional pilot projects; implementing cross-functional…

Describes the Teens for Literacy project, in which teens come up with ideas to improve literacy in their schools. Notes that, in the nearly five years of the program, teens have developed a Big Brother/Big Sister reading program, selected and displayed posters in school corridors, developed videos promoting literacy, read with children, and…