The primary purpose of "National CrossTalk" is to stimulate informed discussion and debate of higher education issues. This issue contains the following articles: (1) A Legacy to Overcome: The University of Georgia Hopes to Become a More Desirable Destination for Black Students (Don Campbell); (2) Oklahoma's Brain Gain: A Comprehensive…

The purpose of this topical review is to present Educational Policy Reform Research Institute's (EPRRI's) state-level qualitative findings collected during in depth interviews in the four core study states of California, Maryland, New York, and Texas. The data presented reflect the perspectives of state-level personnel who were involved with the…

The construction of the International Space Station (ISS) is one of humankind's most exciting and challenging endeavors. Numerous rocket launches are required to build this orbiting science laboratory. The purpose of this curriculum supplement is to introduce students in the Early Childhood classroom to the International Space Station and the role…

This book presents a compilation of articles based on the premise that the move to advanced technology use in primary and secondary schools offers great hope for improving the access, quality, and efficiency of basic education. The aim of the book is to identify and examine how information technologies can be, and are being, used to strengthen the…

This study highlights the value of leveraging department resources in principal preparation program resources to achieve multiple teaching and program review goals. In this study, masters degree candidates participated in all aspects of the evaluation of the Department of Educational Administration and Counseling. As consumers they already had a…

For every teacher who has been at a loss to help the student who seemed helpless, this is a resource that cannot be missed. In this book, the author details instructional principles to help educators model and mentor effective life skills behaviors for their students. For the child who doesn't have friends, does poorly in sports, has difficulty…

English language learners (ELLs) and students with disabilities are two groups specifically targeted in NCLB for which schools must demonstrate "adequate yearly progress." However, ELLs with disabilities, a category where these two groups overlap, are not specifically mentioned in the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). Students with…

This report outlines a series of findings and recommendations that illustrate both educational and economic implications for the state and its local communities. The Superintendent's Panel on Excellence in Adult Education recommends a 95% increase in the state's support of adult education and a 70% increase in local support. There are significant…

This text helps prospective and experienced principals, administrators, and supervisors increase their knowledge and skills through concepts, case-studies, and simulations. This book contains the following two parts and fifteen chapters. Part I presents important theoretical concepts and research findings that can improve educators'…

This report summarizes the results of academic, career and technical, adult education, and developmental education programs that were reviewed during fiscal year 2006. It highlights and summarizes accountability activities and initiatives described by Illinois' 48 community colleges in their Accountability/Program Review Reports for fiscal year…

This report focuses on six areas in which policymakers can take action to enhance outcomes for students along the educational pipeline and thus increase the supply of knowledge workers. These areas include: (1) Promoting access to education and training and improving the alignment of adult and workforce education systems and postsecondary…

The first report from this study, "Leading From The Middle: Mid-Level District Staff and Instructional Improvement," was published in August, 2004. Since its publication, Leading from the Middle has been an important tool in helping school and district staff, policy makers, researchers, and reform advocates think differently about the role of the…

This study investigated differences among professional staff members' commitment to continuous learning and improvement in high-performing schools differentiated by student academic performance and disaggregated by race and socioeconomic status. A total of 48 high-performing schools were identified by Kentucky Department of Education staff based…

Long before the onslaught of Hurricane Katrina or the chaos of evacuation, New Orleans' social infrastructure was failing. News coverage of the overcrowded Superdome and the city's flooded streets exposed the poverty and vulnerability of many residents, especially African Americans. As New Orleans begins to rebuild, can the city avoid the mistakes…

Career and technical education (CTE) administrators are increasingly being forced to resort to filling CTE teacher positions by hiring industry experts for classroom teaching positions and subsequently using creative ways to develop qualified, certified, and exemplary CTE instructors. Traditional teacher mentoring and induction programs fail to…