This paper focuses on data collected from students in grades 4-8, using the Assessment of Learner Centered Practices (ALCP) survey tools, including multiple academic and nonacademic student outcome measures. In national samples of more than 4,203 upper elementary and middle school students in rural, urban, and suburban schools, data indicated that…

Many people believe that America's public schools can be saved by instituting high standards for academic achievement. Strategies for achieving this goal are presented in this book. The text explores the standards movement, examining its importance and asking what it will take to bring every student up to high standards, irrespective of where the…

The study examines the defining features of school improvement programs. Twelve research-based programs that have been implemented for 5 or more years in at least 50 schools or for 3,000 students were analyzed. All have achieved national visibility. Eight of the programs focused on curricular reform and topics included: (1) Core Knowledge; (2)…

Recognizing that the literacy demands that students now face require their active involvement in their own learning, this book considers a wide variety of ways to encourage that involvement. The book describes how teachers' practices foster literacy communities in their classrooms that can help students achieve the standards for the English…

This report presents findings from the "Institution Survey" of the 1999 National Study of Postsecondary Faculty (NSOPF). Institutions were asked about their policies and practices related to faculty as of fall 1998. The distribution of faculty across U.S. degree-granting postsecondary institutions reflects the diversity of postsecondary…

The technology adaptation is a very complex process. This process includes many different components or variables, such as quality of technology teacher training, quality of hardware and software, strategies and alternate ways of infusing software into lessons and effectiveness of class organization (District of Columbia, 1992). This paper…

This reissue of the seminal 1968 study of the origins of mass popular education in 19th-century Massachusetts is considered one of the first radical revisionist interpretations of U.S. educational history. This new edition retains the original text but includes a new introduction by the author. The study looks at the relation between reformer…

This report finds that enrollment growth pressures, fee increases, and recent budget cuts in the California Community Colleges are having significant detrimental effects on student access and program quality. The report also provides recommendations for creating improvements that build from the state policy context and from existing promising…

A study was conducted to examine the attitudes of elementary, middle/junior high, and high school counselors toward the development of national standards for school counseling programs. An effort was also made to identify the components counselors thought should be included in the national standards. Input from leaders of the American School…

This report is the 1999 Santa Monica College Educational Master Plan revision. In 1997, the College adopted its first formal Master Plan for Education. Every three to five years, depending on the circumstances, that plan will be completely redone. During the intervening time period, there will be annual revisions to the plan. This revision…

This theme issue explores the connection between service learning and standards-based education. In the lead article, "Service Learning and Standards: Are They Compatible?" (Brian Loney), an educator applies his extensive experience with Active Citizenship Today, a successful social studies service-learning program, to a representative set of…

Noting that many middle school teachers are challenged to use portfolio assessment in the midst of their other daily responsibilities and mandated activities, this monograph demonstrates how portfolio assessment can contribute to student learning, shows how teachers use portfolio assessment in their classrooms, discusses students' views of…

This proceedings contains 25 presentations and summaries of presentations from the 22nd annual Rural and Small Schools Conference held at Kansas State University. Entries of three or more pages are: "Technical Education for Rural Kansas" (Ralph Beacham); "Galactic Explosion at Cool School" (summer science program) (Sue…

This report sets forth the rationale and guiding principles for a Student Success Model developed for the Maricopa Community Colleges. It incorporates the following stages: Outreach and Intake; Entry; Experience; and Completion/Assessment. It is recognized that students can and will enter at any stage. Each stage of the model also incorporates…

This book offers insights into the range of strategies and good practice being used to raise the achievement of boys. Case studies by school-based practitioners suggest ideas and measures to address the issue of achievement by boys. The contributions are: (1) "Why the Likely Lads Lag Behind" (Kevan Bleach); (2) "Helping Boys Do…