Although there have been any number of national reading reform efforts over the years, there is little evidence that such efforts have been sustained in schools over time. This study focused on addressing 2 questions: To what extent have Reading First schools in 2 states sustained the key elements of this reform over time? To what extent has…

The field of literacy education has long been concerned with the question of how to help classroom teachers improve their practices so that students will improve as readers. Although there is consensus on what characterizes effective professional development, the reading research on which this consensus is based most often is small scale and…

In the face of dwindling financial resources, educational leaders are looking to refine resource allocation while maintaining a focus on improved student outcomes. This article presents initial findings from a professional development state initiative called Effective Behavioral and Instructional Support Systems (EBISS). The EBISS initiative aims…

To learn the extent to which transition class programs had been implemented in the Rhode Island public schools, all districts in the state were surveyed. The survey was designed to gather basic information about transition programs operating throughout the state, and learn why such programs have not been introduced in some districts. Findings,…

During the 2001-2002 school year, the Read to Achieve Grant program was successfully implemented in 553 schools throughout Colorado. All funded schools were held accountable for reaching the specific reading achievement goals outlined in the statute establishing the program in order to be recommended for second year funding. The Read to Achieve…

Colorado Senate Bill 00-71 and S.B. 00-124 established the Read-to-Achieve Grant Program. The purpose of the program is to solicit proposals from any elementary school, including a charter school, or consortium of schools, to fund research-based intensive reading programs. The funding opportunity was designed specifically for second and third…

A study used 1999-2000 data from Accelerated Reader and STAR Reading to assess students' reading practice, growth in reading performance, and effects of Reading Renaissance training on students' reading development. The study included 10 schools that participated in the 1998-99 study and 27 additional schools. Data from 7876 students enrolled in…

In 1998, as part of a major 3-year Reading Initiative, the Albertson Foundation provided $24.5 million to improve the reading performance of all Idaho elementary, middle, and junior high students. The reading components of School Renaissance (SR), a comprehensive school improvement program, include Accelerated Reader (AR) learning information…

This report provides guidance and information on resources to assist elementary schools, parents, community members, and policymakers in implementing a systemic approach to standards-based education. It makes clear recommendations on how schools can achieve a coordinated system in which standards, assessment, accountability, and curriculum are…

Examines the impetus for and impact of a high-stakes assessment plan and reform initiative, North Carolina's ABC Plan for Public Education, from the perspective of state level policymakers and local level implementers. Finds practitioners received little support for implementing the initiative, and an adversarial relationship developed between…

The Virginia Board of Education adopted a resolution in May 1986 to establish a statewide elementary school guidance program within a 4-year period. A study group was formed to produce an objective, statewide study of principals' and superintendents' perceptions of this new program and to detect issues which could hinder program implementation.…

A study investigated whether Louisiana school districts and schools involved in the SPUR (Special Plan Upgrading Reading) program were implementing and maintaining essential elements of the project five years after termination of state funding and external support. Subjects were the 66 superintendents or their designee at the district level as…

A study examined school personnel perspectives on barriers to the implementation of a statewide program to influence change in curriculum and instruction. Interviews were conducted with personnel from 5 schools and districts and generally positive results were reported in moving from their existing curriculum and assessment programs to the…

This report offers an evaluation of the Hawaii Chapter 1 Program for school years 1985-86 and 1986-87. The reading and mathematics programs served 14,158 students in 1985-86 and 14,280 in 1986-87. Data regarding reading indicated that mean normal curve equivalent (NCE) gains greater than zero were found in all districts and grade levels for both…

The effects of Washington state education reforms on schools and classrooms were studied through surveys completed by about 150 elementary and middle school principals and about 400 writing and mathematics teachers in grades 4 and 7, the grades in which students take the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) tests. The surveys asked…