The goal of this paper, and the symposium it represents, is to provide an examination of the perspectives of district personnel from four diverse states. The papers present the current status of legislated student assessment programs in California, Colorado, Connecticut, and Illinois. Similarities and differences in implementation methodology are…

Based on the belief that critical thinking patterns, language abilities, and social skills that develop from birth to age 6 are foundational to children's sociomoral development, the Phoenix Project was developed to explore the factors contributing to and affecting children's sociomoral development. This pilot project was carried out by the…

Ten demonstration grants were awarded to public school systems throughout the state of Minnesota to develop expanded early childhood family education (ECFE) programs that integrate the roles of families, teachers, and social services in serving children in kindergarten through third grade and their families. This report provides an overview of the…

This manual was developed to assist youth ages 9-11 in developing lifetime leadership skills. The manual describes learning activities in the following areas: (1) understanding self and self-esteem promotion; (2) communicating; (3) getting along with others; (4) learning to learn; (5) making decisions; (6) managing, planning, and organizing; and…

This manual was developed to assist youth in grade 7 (age 13 and beyond) in developing leadership skills. The aim of the project is the development of lifetime skills related to leadership. The manual describes 75 learning activities in the following areas: (1) understanding self; (2) communicating; (3) getting along with others; (4) learning to…

This manual was developed by the Illinois State 4-H Office as part of a project to assist youth in developing leadership skills. This manual emphasizes skills needed to lead groups. The manual describes learning activities in the following areas of leadership life skills: (1) understanding self; (2) communicating; (3) getting along with others;…

Carleton University (Ontario, Canada) has implemented an employment equity plan and has received a federal merit award for this program. The program has involved a concrete investment of time and resources for training, review of employment systems, implementation and monitoring, and ongoing attention at the senior policy level. At the outset the…

The potential of programs supported by the Basic State Grants section of the federal Adult Education Act was evaluated; the first interim part of the study provides descriptive information on the adult education service delivery system. The study drew primarily on data collected from two surveys of local adult education programs--a universe survey…

This report examines the institutional level deacidification program that was formalized and instituted at Harvard University (Cambridge, Massachusetts)) for its research libraries. The report is organized into six sections. The first section, which describes the project's background, discusses the acidic paper problem, available mass…

This project identified models, practices, and existing projects, both in Indiana and throughout the United States, that demonstrated partnership efforts between families/home (particularly those families having students with disabilities) and educators/schools. This report presents a literature review on the nature, extent, effectiveness, and…

Part of a series about research-based programs that show promise for raising student achievement (especially in low-performing schools), this paper describes seven promising reading and language arts programs. Each program shows evidence of high standards, effectiveness, replicability, and support structures. The paper opens with a brief…

In anticipation of federal welfare reform, the Texas Department of Human Services developed and implemented the REFOCUS program, designed to enhance the economic self-sufficiency of English-as-a-Second-Language recipients of Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) through better use of existing education, job training, employment, and…

This report describes the initial efforts at Whitworth College (Washington) to provide all faculty with updated skills on how to help student writers. The first chapter describes the background of the grant that was obtained to fund the 2-year faculty development program. The second chapter discusses the theory and practice of writing across the…

This manual was developed as one outcome of a 2-year experimental project conducted in 53 school districts in Indiana (1990-92). The manual was designed to be a resource to schools interested in operating a successful "Students' Own Bookshop" program to encourage development of literacy and leadership among the students of their school.…

This guide describes the outdoor education practicum required of student teachers at Northern Illinois University (NIU). This 5-day residential experience is held at the Lorado Taft Field Campus (branch of NIU), established in 1951 to train teachers in outdoor education. Course objectives include: (1) to help student teachers gain knowledge about…