AS THE PRODUCT OF A COOPERATIVE VENTURE BY EDUCATIONAL LEADERS OF FIVE MIDWESTERN STATES (IOWA, MINNESOTA, NORTH DAKOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA, AND WISCONSIN), A RATING GUIDE WAS DEVELOPED FOR THE PURPOSE OF ACHIEVING QUALITY EDUCATION IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE REGION. BASIC PREMISES INCLUDED PROVIDING EVERY CHILD WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACHIEVE MAXIMUM DEVELOPMENT OF HIS POTENTIAL ABILITIES AND TO ACQUIRE THE SKILLS AND UNDERSTANDING NEEDED TO HELP HIM SHARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY. THE APPRAISAL INSTRUMENT WAS DESIGNED FOR USE BY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STAFF MEMBERS APPRAISING THEIR OWN SCHOOL. USING A FIVE-POINT SCALE, THE GUIDE PROVIDES FOR EVALUATING AN EXTENSIVE RANGE OF CRITERIA UNDER EACH OF FIVE MAIN HEADINGS--(1) ADMINISTRATION AND ORGANIZATION, RELATING TO DUTIES AND RELATIONSHIPS OF ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL, (2) INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM AND MATERIALS, RELATING TO GOAL AND CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT, SUBJECT PLANNING, AND THE SCHOOL LIBRARY, (3) SCHOOL STAFF, RELATING TO QUANTITY AND QUALITY OF TEACHING STAFF, SPECIAL SERVICES AND TEACHERS, AND SUPERVISION PRACTICES, (4) SCHOOL PLANT, RELATING TO SITE, BUILDING, SAFETY FEATURES, COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, AND ASSEMBLY AND LUNCH FACILITIES, AND (5) SCHOOL-COMMUNITY RELATIONS, RELATING TO POLICIES, LAY INVOLVEMENT, USE OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES, AND STAFF PARTICIPATION. AN ADDITIONAL SET OF CRITERIA FOR SCHOOL PLANT EVALUATION IS APPENDED. THIS DOCUMENT IS AVAILABLE FROM THE UPPER MIDWEST REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL LABORATORY INC., 2698 UNIVERSITY AVENUE, ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA 55114. (JK)