This report presents findings about emerging approaches to enhance the well-being of young children and families in the context of welfare reform. Information on programs and initiatives was obtained from nomination forms sent to over 300 key informants, including child care officials, Head Start collaboration directors, governors' early childhood…

Teachers' subject matter knowledge is a particularly important issue in science education in that it influences instructional practices across subject areas and at different grade levels. This paper provides an overview of efforts to develop a unique elementary science methods course and related field experience through a partnership between…

School district associations across the country have often opposed charter school legislation as strongly, or more strongly, than have teachers unions. They typically argue charter schools will threaten the tradition of local control of schools by elected officials, drain their financial resources, and distract them from pursuing…

This report summarizes some Austin Independent School District (AISD) parent and community involvement activities for the 2003-2004 school year.

Describes an inquiry-based project on kinematics piloted at a rural middle school in 1996 by a Maine collaboration of university faculty, graduate students, and K-12 teachers. The group examines the new science standards, develops new curricula based on physics education research, helps middle-school teachers implement that curricula, and assesses…

Argues that most school-based moral education programs focus exclusively on moral reflection and neglect the influence of moral habit, effect, and commitment. Advocates schools joining with families, churches, community organizations, and other institutions to provide a clear and coherent set of expectations for young people. (MJP)

This case study examined the revision of a state university's elementary teacher education program, noting dilemmas arising during the university approval process related to faculty involvement, power and authority, incentives, and sacred cows such as academic freedom. Lessons learned about programmatic change within the culture of the university…

Successful professional development schools are characterized by shared decision making among stakeholders; exemplary educational programs; culturally responsive teaching; coaching as a professional development tool; a set of proficiencies that guide curriculum for future teachers; emphasis on technology to facilitate student, teacher, and teacher…

Higher education institutions are well positioned to assume key roles in shaping future economic development. Partnership 21, a University of Oklahoma partnership with the Federal Aviation Administration, exemplifies this potential. The challenge for those in continuing education is to recognize these roles in supporting economic development,…

Professors from Australia's Queensland University introduce the concept of a "practernship" that is a variation of typical internship/apprenticeship programs for preservice teachers. The "practernship" combines practice teaching and internship, encourages collaboration and professional development, and promotes a holistic,…

Investigates the perspectives of public school teachers, student teachers, and university faculty who participated in a school/university partnership, using data from journals, interviews, and questionnaires to examine changing roles and relationships. The program included an alternative teacher education program linked to a professional…

Describes how one school-university partnership openly discussed the basic tensions between theory and practice. The result was a collaboratively delivered methods course that became the foundation for a complex school-university relationship. The partnership changed the elementary school, provided meaningful inservice for practicing teachers, and…

This paper illustrates the importance of collaboration and conversation in the development of an elementary teacher certification program. The program is a collaborative effort between public school teachers and Colgate University (New York). Emphasizes the necessity of conversation as the basis for collaboration. (SM)

Describes the University of Texas Systems schools' Hispanic Mother-Daughter Program, which successfully addresses complex issues related to low educational achievement of Hispanic females. This statewide community and university collaboration supports girls from eighth grade to matriculation into college, with mother-daughter dyads participating…

As new technologies make different ways of communicating available, the language arts teacher and the media specialist can work together to develop literacy. The media center could become the electronic publishing center of the school; through communication projects, students will learn to access, validate, and transfer information in an…