Every learner must be guaranteed access to quality instruction, resources, and assessment. This handbook was designed to assist educators in making responsible local educational decisions with an informed and attuned understanding of equity and effective school practices. The publication is intended to help engage education stakeholders in…

Recognizing that active learning is suited not just to children but to adults as well, this study guide is designed to support adults engaged in learning the High/Scope approach to preschool education, in a college course, on their own, or in staff development programs. Each study guide chapter consists of a variety of interactive exercises to…

This collection of 16 tested ideas for improving teaching and learning evolved from the work of the 1995 Proven Laboratory Practices Task Force charged with identifying and collecting the best and most useful work from the Regional Educational Laboratories. The Regional Educational Laboratory program is the largest research and development…

In 1994 and 1995, most school-finance legislation at the state level dealt with state aid--36 out of 127 bills introduced in 1994 and 31 out of 212 bills introduced in 1995. This report presents 13 tables that summarize the content of state legislation and identify bills that addressed the formation of study committees, the use of lottery funds to…

This paper describes the evolution of a Professional Development School (PDS) continuum for urban teachers through 5 years of school-university collaboration. The paper reports the impact on education students completing internship experiences at urban PDS's, discusses the impact of the collaborative initiative on PDS faculty, and identifies…

This guide was developed to help users and trainers to use the expert system called IPSI Suite. The first section provides an introduction and overview to the IPSI Suite, an integrated software package that, at its basic level, facilitates the following processes: (1) course curriculum development, (2) lesson planning, and (3) student performance…

This state plan for the education of gifted/talented students in Texas first offers a rationale and goal and then defines the state and district roles for educating gifted students. The plan provides guidelines for use by local district personnel in the development of gifted programs that meet state requirements. These guidelines include: (1)…

This study interviewed 22 stakeholders in a Professional Development School (PDS) to determine their attitudes about the purpose, processes, relationships, and outcomes of their partnership. The study involved a series of in-depth, semi-structured, 1-hour interviews with PDS stakeholders to identify critical elements deemed necessary for the…

Major changes in the workplace have profound implications for education systems. School-to-work reform, in response to the changing educational and training needs of the work force, emphasizes the importance of an "all aspects of an industry" approach to learning. This approach integrates vocational and academic education for the purpose…

Information on current trends and issues informally discussed and then delineated by the directors of six National Council of Teachers of English commissions, is presented in this 15th annual report. The commissions and their directors are: (1) Commission on Composition (Christine Kline); (2) Commission on Curriculum (Kathleen Rowlands); (3)…

Noting that the approach to early childhood education of Reggio Emilia, Italy, has gained worldwide recognition as it challenges accepted approaches, this book reflects the impressions and experiences of the Reggio Emilia approach gained by a range of early childhood educators following a study visit to the region. The book focuses on key issues…

This updated guide to using portfolios in educational assessment incorporates current teaching practices and new technology. The portfolio is defined as a systematic and organized collection of evidence used by the teacher and the student to monitor the growth of the student's knowledge, skills, and attitudes. The guide offers: (1) clear…

This paper reports on a 3-year computer initiative implemented by a school district in a metropolitan area. The initiative began in 1996 and continued through 1998. The school district of 44,000 students funded 5 computers and an ink jet color printer in each elementary classroom in 34 schools. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact…

This document presents the executive summary of an evaluation of Library Power, a program of the DeWitt Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund to enhance and elevate the role of libraries in public schools. The report begins with an examination of Library Power's core components (collection development, facilities refurbishing, flexible scheduling,…

The concept of secondary schools as learning organizations is being examined as part of a research project involving South Australian and Tasmanian secondary schools. The authors defined learning organizations as schools that: employ processes of environmental scanning; develop shared goals; establish collaborative teaching and learning…