The driving question for this brief is based on the most common question that teachers, principals, school leaders, coaches, and grant writers ask the Buck Institute for Education (BIE) about Project Based Learning (PBL): What evidence exists that shows the impact of Project Based Learning on student learning in core content areas? Research shows…

Education has until recently promoted social mobility, broad economic growth, and democracy. However, modern universities direct policy and resources toward criteria that exacerbate income inequality and reduce social mobility. Online education can make education more socially, geographically, temporally, and financially accessible, impacting the…

This report provides, first, an overview of the external and internal environmental factors affecting planning in California's community colleges; and, second, an examination of the influence of the demographics of the Los Rios Community College District (LRCCD). After an executive summary, introductory material discusses ways in which change can…

Little has been done to understand how student demographics shape school employment practices. Using statistical data on Black, Hispanic, and Anglo teachers employed in California public schools, this study concludes that minority student growth rates, interacting with school segregation, are significant predictors of minority teacher employment…

Demographic statistics reflect dramatic changes in the composition of California's school-age population. Administrators must learn ways to ease the cultural transition for minority students. The Association of California School Administrators has suggestions and materials to help administrators. (MLF)

A management information system developed in Santa Clara County monitors K-12 students through their school years. The data reflect up-to-date demographics and changes in students' behaviors and characteristics. School districts are able to identify areas of program strengths and weaknesses so that changes can be made. (MLF)

Analysis of 27 indicators gives California a "D" for the way it treats its children. A number of other reports have documented the crisis facing children. Proposes citizens becoming a strong diverse group of advocates for the needs of children. Summarizes the action agenda of "The Right Start for California's Children." (MLF)

Designed to help those who plan and allocate resources for California's community colleges in evaluating future trends and identifying responsible policy directions, this report seeks to: (1) describe present and future trends and their variations within California; (2) determine the applications of those trends for community colleges; (3)…

This study's investigator concludes that expenditures for elementary and secondary education in California must rise by 59 percent by the end of the decade to maintain the present level of per student spending and to meet forecasted educational improvement needs. Revenue funding and demographic projections presented indicate inadequate revenues…

Textual analysis and statistical data are presented to support the contention that the current formula for providing federal financial aid to campuses serving low-income students (which is based on 1985 distribution patterns) penalizes states such as California which face demographic trends involving greatly increased numbers of needy students.…

An increase in the number of schools adopting year-round programs prompted this analysis of all year-round education programs in California. Chapter 1, "Introduction to the Study," outlines study organization and calendar scheduling plans. "Design of the Study," chapter 2, describes data obtained from interviews, surveys,…

This factbook presents tabular data on first-time freshmen and transfer students in postsecondary education in California. The report presents data on students in six categories. The first section provides information about all of California's college and university students. The second section contains information about the proportional…

The three case studies in this report describe state-level efforts to address diversity and equity in postsecondary institutions in California, Maryland, and Washington. A preface provides some background on affirmative action programs, litigation history, and the roles of state coordinating agencies and institutional governing boards. The…

A handbook for teachers and administrators dealing with limited-English-speaking native Pilipino-speaking students in the schools gives information on the unique historical, sociocultural, and linguistic characteristics of this group and provides information about educational resources. It begins with an overview of Filipino immigration history,…