ERIC Number: ED502719
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2008-Sep
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Help Wanted: State Capacity for School Improvement. AIR[R] Research Brief
Le Floch, Kerstin Carlson; Boyle, Andrea; Therriault, Susan Bowles
American Institutes for Research
This research brief reports on findings from an on-line survey conducted by the American Institutes for Research (AIR) to study state education agency capacity to develop and deploy a statewide system of support for schools identified for improvement under No Child Left Behind (NCLB). To provide support commensurate with the challenges facing low-performing schools, state education agencies need adequate capacity--including infrastructure, professional resources, and political support. Data from a survey of state officials in all 50 states reveal that: (1) State officials report limited capacity to support school improvement: only 16 states reported "moderate" capacity while 33 reported limited capacity; (2) Respondents in states with more challenging workloads perceived lower levels of capacity; and (3) State officials generally perceive expertise within the state education agency to be a strength, although they report lower levels of expertise regarding the needs of English language learners. In summary, state officials perceive constraints associated with their own capacity to provide support to low-performing schools, particularly with regard to staff, funding, and technology. This brief is a companion to "State Systems of Support under NCLB: Design Components and Quality Considerations" (ED502718). (Contains 4 exhibits and 18 endnotes.)
Descriptors: State Departments of Education, Federal Legislation, Second Language Learning, Educational Improvement, Educational Change, State Officials, Exhibits, Educational Resources, Politics of Education, Low Achievement, Barriers
American Institutes for Research. 1000 Thomas Jefferson Street NW, Washington, DC 20007. Tel: 202-403-5000; Fax: 202-403-5001; e-mail: inquiry@air.org; Web site: http://www.air.org
Publication Type: Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Authoring Institution: American Institutes for Research
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
IES Cited: ED544778
Author Affiliations: N/A