The Barton County Community College Board of Trustees strives to emphasize: (1) outward vision rather than an internal preoccupation; (2) encouragement of diversity in viewpoints; (3) strategic leadership above administrative detail; (4) clear distinction between Board and staff roles; (5) collective rather than individual decisions; (6) the…

The Professional Development Leadership Academy supports states in transforming systems of professional development. This paper investigates accountability considerations that are necessary to determine the impact and results of professional development from a state systems perspective. The five areas of focus that comprise the Academy knowledge…

This study aimed to provide systematic empirical evidence for how postsecondary institutions support and promote the use of assessment information in academic decision making. A survey instrument, Institutional Support for Student Assessment, was developed as an inventory of external influences on student assessment; institutional approaches to…

This report presents the results of a survey of New Zealand principals whose schools had recently undergone an Education Review Office (ERO) study in 1995-96. A total of 602 principals responded to the survey. A comparison of school characteristics indicates good representation, with some slight underrepresentation of city schools and other…

The science teacher has a vital responsibility to provide the best science curriculum possible to guide optimal pupil progress. Educational objectives need to represent salient scientific knowledge, skills, and attitudes. Proper sequencing of objectives is also crucial. Learning opportunities based on sound educational psychology should be used in…

This paper reports findings from a study of the effectiveness of charter schools in California. The study's purpose was to report preliminary findings to the Legislative Analyst's Office relating to the educational performance, characteristics, and practices of charter schools and their sponsoring agencies. The study addressed six central…

This document presents the most current and complete information about charter schools in Wisconsin. It describes the purpose of charter schools in the state and how they are constructed to achieve their goals. It discusses charter-school history, sponsorship, legal status, what charter schools can and cannot do, organization and governance,…

This guide provides information on the cooperative audit resolution for program improvement. It offers guidance for resolving audit findings, as well as tips on how to use the Cooperative Audit Resolution and Oversight Initiative (CAROI). CAROI is a collaborative method to provide alternative and creative approaches to resolve audit findings and…

This report is based on surveys of unified school districts, elementary school districts, high school districts, county offices of education, and state special schools in California. Performed by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee (JLAC), the document provides the state legislature an assessment of the facility and personnel needs facing…

This report offers a brief synopsis of findings from a comprehensive, 4-year study of charter schools. The study was designed to find out what types of students attend charter schools, how charter laws and policies affect charter schools in each state, the conditions under which charter schools improve or do not improve student achievement and…

This workbook provides school administrators a structured process to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to facilitate curriculum alignment. Based on the text "Deciding What to Teach and Test," the book outlines specific steps a facilitator can take to translate ideas into action. It is organized into a series of chapters that…

In this collection, educators from the United Kingdom debate the history, purposes, achievements, and future direction of the National Curriculum. Differing points of view about the value of the National Curriculum are expressed. More than half of the essays focus on specific aspects of the curriculum. The selections are: (1) "What Place for…

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) is a sound academic practice that contributes to adult learning by linking formal and informal learning. However, it has not been widely accepted by Canadian educational institutions. In 1996, a consortium of seven colleges and an independent PLAR consultant began a study to create a comprehensive…

In 1999 and 2000 RAND researchers surveyed Washington state principals and teachers to understand how the state's education reforms, which included standards and assessments, were being enacted at the school level. In 1999, researchers selected a stratified random sample of about 70 elementary schools and 70 middle schools, and in spring 2000 they…

This report provides information about how states identify schools that are not performing at expected levels and what some states have done to provide assistance in the improvement of these schools. Kentucky, North Carolina, and South Carolina share similarities in their approaches in that they spent time and effort in preparatory activities,…