School choice is in high demand and growing. Twenty years ago, few states had policies or programs allowing parents the freedom to make choices in their children's education. Today, 11 states and the District of Columbia have state-funded scholarship programs or provide tax relief for education expenses or contributions to scholarship funds. Most…

Americanism embraces the ideals of the good citizen in political, social, economic, and cultural relationships. The definition and interpretation of these ideals determine the scope of one's understanding of the movement of Americanization; that is, those programs and activities that aim to promote Americanism. It is commonly understood that…

California took a giant step toward a technological future by creating 15 regional teacher education and computer centers. This article focuses on the structure and activities of a regional center that serves Monterey, San Benito, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz counties. (Author/PP)

To evaluate the effectiveness of its programs for the visually impaired, the Kansas State Department of Education analyzed data for 308 students' academic achievement, proficiency in mobility, social integration, participation in regular education and other programs, and satisfaction. (Author/MC)

Alaska has mounted an intensive statewide staff development effort to help teachers and administrators use research-based practices. Leadership teams from each school, with assistance from the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory, develop improvement plans and implementation strategies. Administrators, teachers, and school board members…

This article cites some of the objectives for global education advocated by national organizations, professional associations, state departments of education, and other groups which have become involved in the field. A widely circulated list concerning student competencies that schools should seek to instill for good citizenship in a global age is…

Louisiana's Educational Employees' Professional Improvement Program (PIP) is described. The voluntary statewide program features: (1) use of individual professional development plans submitted by school staff participants; (2) a combination of academic work, inservice training, workshops, and conferences over a five-year period; and (3) salary…

Focuses on the role of the state speech association in improving the teaching of oral communication skills in the K-12 curriculum. Describes the cooperative projects developed by the Illinois Speech and Theatre Association, with the Illinois State Board of Education, as an example of how state associations can become involved. (PD)

The evaluation design described was used to aid the governing board to reach a policy decision about expanding the California Early Childhood Education program (renamed the School Improvement Program) in the Lafayette School District. Descriptions of procedures, question formats, audiences involved, and results are included. (MH)

The British Columbia Learning Assessment Program is a province-wide program designed to aid in decision-making processes about curriculum revisions; preservice teacher education and in-service programs; resource allocations; and future research needs; and to inform various publics of educational attainment. The article provides an overview of the…

Reports on the project, New Initiatives for Economic Development: An Experiment in Community Development. Reveals the economic impacts of 100 new jobs in a community, the achievements of the project to date, and identifies barriers to economic growth in Illinois communities. (AYC)

Characteristics of evaluative studies used by California state legislators are discussed: specificity in addressing particular policy decisions; factors which contribute to or hinder the accomplishment of educational objectives; balanced studies with a range of indicators; and attention to local concerns, and to fiscal and legal issues. (MH)

Reports results of a study which surveyed adult education opportunities presently being provided or facilitated by Head Start programs in Alabama and examined the types of adult education programs, patterns of participation in adult basic education General Educational Development (ABE/GED) programs, and the effect of class location on GED…