Project PIONEER (Partnerships in Integrating and Operating New Effective Educational Research) was a 2-year funded Title VI Excellence in Education Grant awarded to Independent School District 861, Winona, Minnesota, for the purpose of promoting among secondary students "learning how to learn" skills and an awareness of how knowledge is organized in the humanities. The instructional effectiveness of the project was validated via faculty conducted action research that focused on the effects of three 2-day inservice training events on 27 faculty participants over a period of 3 semesters. Facilitators also structured a support network that included follow-up sessions, research dissemination, individual consultation, and maintenance of resource files. Project PIONEER is ongoing and continues to improve student academic achievement and enhance teacher interest in active learning strategies. (JAM)