The mission of the Mid-continental Regional Education Laboratory (McREL) is to improve practice and increase academic performance in the schools of the seven-state mountain-plains region. McREL's principal approach to the dissemination and utilization of the effective schools research has been training teachers to use research. Based on the effective schools research, McREL has established an Effective Schools Program (ESP) that aims at providing participants with knowledge and skills to implement research-based practices, with the ultimate goal of increased school efficiency and increased student achievement. The training that educators receive through ESP emphasizes data collection about current practices, training, and coaching in the use of new practices, and feedback for monitoring and guiding progress. The program is designed to meet school or district improvement needs, to develop a pool of on-site training material, and to give participants the skills to train their colleagues and other staff members. School districts participating in ESP follow a five-part process: (1) orientation; (2) logistical planning; (3) assessment and training; (4) improvement planning; and (5) follow-up. Each step of the process is discussed as is the program's evaluation design. (JMK)