In light of the fact that policy makers are attempting to build accountability systems that will hold teachers, and the teacher education programs that prepared them, accountable for student achievement results, failure on the part of teacher educators to repeatedly and assertively advocate for a significant role in shaping the accountability…

The effectiveness of instructional development evaluation programs is assessed. It is suggested that although it is a basic tenet in instructional development that teaching improvement is closely linked to effective evaluation, it is ironical that most instructional development programs have themselves been evaluated only superficially, if at all.…

A SURVEY OF PRACTICES OF SCHOOLS IN TYPICALLY DEPRESSED URBAN AREAS FROM FOUR LARGE CITIES IS PRESENTED. STAFFING AND PROGRAM PLANNING ARE DISCUSSED. PRACTICES SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED TO HELP PARENTS LEARN HOW TO PARTICIPATE MEANINGFULLY IN THE EDUCATION OF THEIR CHILDREN. IN PREPARING THE PRESCHOOL CHILD, PARENT AID MAY BE ENLISTED THROUGH…

A list of ways that have proven successful for teachers to gain administrative approval to implement desired programs. (HD)

This report describes Biblored, the library network in Bogota, Colombia, that received the 2002 Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Access to Learning Award. Biblored is a network of 19 libraries that attract about 200,000 users per month and serve some of the poorest neighborhoods in Bogota. The network's success in making information and…

Suggests ways that librarians should become actively involved in educating the public about supporting the library media center. Discusses activities for improving public relations in the school library; actions to improve visibility at the district level; involvement in the community; and active participation at state and national levels. (AEF)

Communities of Practice offer state agency personnel a promising approach for engaging stakeholder groups in collaboratively solving complex and, often, persistent problems in special education. Communities of Practice can help state agency personnel drive strategy, solve problems, promote the spread of best practices, develop members'…

A common problem for Chinese teacher trainers is coping with a passive class with silent trainee learners, when trainees tend to be unresponsive and avoid interactions with the trainer. This is especially true when a trainer seeks interactions in the process of training, such as asking questions to the class as a whole or expecting at least one…

"Working Together and Making A Difference: Virginia Western Community College and Goodwill Industries of the Valleys Partnership Case Study Report" is a report aimed at informing community college and workforce leaders of best practices for launching and expanding partnerships to serve students more effectively. Co-published by AspenWSI…

A process model is presented to provide an organized structure for improving schools and school staffs. In the model the school is the central focus, and it is seen in the context of related educational institutions, as part of a system that has interdependent parts. The components of this system are identified as: (1) the state; (2) the school…

The described inservice program was designed to bring together teachers to collectively address overall school problems. The project was based upon the belief that school improvements could be best effected by providing teachers the opportunity to actively participate in the design and implementation of changes in school functioning. Emphasis was…

The Appalachian Rural Systemic Initiative (ARSI) aims to stimulate sustainable systemic improvements that enhance student performance in mathematics, science, and technology in 66 Appalachian counties characterized by persistent poverty. To support this aim, a major ARSI goal involves development of partnerships among families, communities, and…

Integrated school-community projects benefit both the rural community and the rural school in many ways. On the community side, such projects can stimulate the local economy, improve the quality of life, and strengthen the bonds of community. Schools gain resources and community support for educational initiatives, have the opportunity to develop…

Provides a list of potential strategies and tactics for improving the performance of individuals, groups, and organizations. The performance technologist must be able to integrate these strategies to be successful. Lists and describes 20 categories/interventions. The process of performance technology is discussed, as well as tips for mastering…

Student feedback collected through program evaluation of secondary education licensure and Master's program clinical experiences prompted us to conduct a collective self-study. We used a reflective framework for analysis and discussion of the shifts students in our courses made as they progressed from observers to practicing teachers. Along with…