A systemic approach to education reform emerged in the 1990s as one way of addressing policy fragmentation. This volume presents findings of a study that sought to: expand knowledge of state approaches to systemic education reform; examine district, school, and teacher responses to state reform policies in a small number of reforming schools and…

The press for the professionalization of teachers is based on the assertion that a strengthened profession will more effectively meet students' needs and improve the overall quality of education. This volume, the third in a series of three, explains the research and design of a study that examined the design, implementation, and impact of systemic…

This paper addresses some of the challenges and dilemmas faced by two instructional designers as they incorporated visual imagery and audio components into the design of two distinct interactive multimedia products. Each instructional product was designed as a professional development seminar or series of instructional seminars for two distinctly…

This framework was developed using results of a 1995 business partnership survey, a survey of over 9,000 Albertans (800 responses), and discussion of recommendations by a forum of approximately 140 Albertans. The surveys and discussion focused on ways in which business and schools could work together to provide the best possible education for…

The 10 issues of this organizational bulletin for the 1995-96 school year present reports, reviews, and essays on issues concerning the advancement of higher education as well as organizational news items. Major articles include: "Bowling Alone"--An Interview with Robert Putnam; "Crossing Boundaries: Pathways to Productive Learning…

This report documents the founding and evolution of the Council for the Renewal of Undergraduate Education, established by the Swedish government in 1990 to enhance the quality of undergraduate teaching at Swedish higher education institutions and improve the status of university teaching vis-a-vis research. It discusses the state of Swedish…

If Europe is to remain at the driving edge, economic and political progress must be complemented by offering a "European vision" to Europe's young people. All young Europeans must be guaranteed access to education and training culminating in acquisition of a foundation of recognized basic knowledge and skills and access to guidance and…

As part of the national assessment program in Sweden there have been two attempts to gain insight into students'"know-how" with knowledge. The first was a study conducted in 1992 that showed that students had not reached the goals established by the Swedish national curriculum for ninth graders with regard to an exploratory and critical…

Michigan lawmakers funded a competitive grant program for school districts to plan and implement extended school year (ESY) programs of 200 days. The primary purpose was to raise academic achievement. In the spring of 1992, 16 diverse school districts were awarded ESY planning grants. Continuation grants funded 2 ESY implementation years, for…

Even Start is a family literacy and support program for families with young children. This paper focuses on the impact and potential of transitions for children and adults as Even Start helps them move across settings. Such transitions occur daily, such as from home to day care to work, or occur over time, such as a transition to formal schooling.…

The University of Wyoming (UW) teacher education program is a collaborative between UW faculty and educators from school districts throughout the state. Though the university faculty is charged with teaching teachers, the equally important "teachers of teachers" are the exemplary classroom teachers who provide modeling and expertise for…

This "Civic Index" is intended to help communities evaluate and improve their civic infrastructures, as well as look at the issues and find approaches to dealing with them. The 10 components of the Civic Index serve as a description of the types of skills and processes that must be present for a community to deal effectively with its unique…

This volume is the third in a series of self-portraits of projects that receive funding from the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE). The 31 essays in this volume are grouped around seven main themes: (1) school-to-college transition and retention; (2) rewarding effective teaching; (3) improving teaching and learning; (4)…

In 1996, Kentucky's Southeast Community College (SCC) participated in the American Association of Community Colleges' Exploring America's Communities project, which works to strengthen the teaching and learning of American history, literature, and culture at U.S. community colleges. SCC's primary goals include: introducing the project to the…

The objectives and development of the skill standards movement were examined along with 22 pilot projects that were undertaken as part of an effort to promote the development of a national system of voluntary industry-based skill standards. First, the past and present of the skill standards movement and certification practices were analyzed along…