New laws in California have set the state on a course for some potentially significant changes to the curriculum, including a measure that revisits the matter of teaching Algebra 1 in 8th grade and another that revamps the state's textbook-adoption process and hands districts greater leeway in choosing instructional materials. The algebra-related…

Today, state education agencies (SEAs) and their leaders face unprecedented demands. What was once a low-profile job of managing federal aid, providing curricular guidance, and ensuring compliance with various legal obligations is now a far more visible and politically fraught task. The new roles required of state education agencies due to the No…

This annual report provides a national perspective on Title II-D for federal fiscal year (FY) 2008 (2008-09 school year), as well as emergent trends based on data from the past seven years. Title II-D is the only federal education program with funds explicitly targeted to support state and local effective uses of educational technology in the …

This paper focuses on the initial phase of a curriculum mapping program as part of the development of a state-mandated school improvement plan. Mapping, a system of curriculum analysis and subsequent alignment, has been cited as a valuable component of curriculum renewal and staff development that has positive impacts on student achievement and…

Educators from Fullerton Union High School District, Newport-Mesa Unified School District, Capistrano Unified School District, and Huntington Beach Union High School District describe their efforts toward developing competency-based curriculum to meet state mandates. (SJL)

The Michigan Adoption Program (MAP) helps match school district needs such as technical assistance and in-service training with well-developed successful programs in other districts. (CMV)

Generic guidelines, based upon principles of effective training and institutional change reflected in current educational research were developed in Mississippi for the planning and implementing of staff development programs in local school districts, and these guidelines were followed when a new statewide early childhood education program was…

The 1974 seminar for State directors of vocational education focused on improvement of vocational curricula at the local education agency level. One hundred fifteen persons, representing 43 State vocational units, one territory, and Washington, D.C., attended the seminar. Sepcial emphasis was given to processes and innovative concepts relating to…

Outlines the findings of a qualitative and primarily formative evaluation of Louisiana's Networking Infrastructures for Education pilot program to help develop a statewide educational technology network. This evaluation primarily focused on efforts to incorporate Internet applications for math and science curriculum in elementary and secondary…

This report is a summary of art programs research; an analysis of national, state, and local (Mount Vernon, Washington) art education is outlined. The analysis is constructed from: materials entered into the ERIC (Educational Resources Information Center) system in the 1980s; the 1987 State of Arts Education in Washington Schools survey; and…

This summary of a meeting of the Apple Education Advisory Council, on long range technology plans at the state, county, district, and school levels, includes highlights from group discussions on future planning, staff development, and curriculum. Three long range technology plans at the state level are provided: Long Range Educational Technology…

This research sought to determine and describe the impact of standards-based reform as a policy instrument by studying the ways in which state adoption of content standards affects local policy, programs, and practice. In 1992, the state of Delaware embarked on a plan to improve its public schools. While the state worked at determining what…

The model used by National Assessment for data gathering and reporting on the Citizenship area is described, and the potential uses of the model for state and local assessment, curriculum development, and accountability purposes are discussed. The study was carried out using papers and reports from the National Assessment of Educational Progress,…

The Seashore Teacher Professional Certification Program developed by Seattle University, Washington, in collaboration with three school districts, is being implemented in several phases. Phase 1 consisted of mentor support for new teachers, and Phase 2 established a site-based support program. Phase 3 consisted of graduate program coursework for…

Alaska Goals 2000 is part of a coordinated, statewide effort to improve public education for all students in Alaska. In 1997-1998, 90% of Alaska's federal funding was used to fund grants to local school districts, and 10% was used to fund state-level activities through the Alaska Department of Education. During 1997-1998, curriculum frameworks and…