The handbook offers strategies for being a successful advocate for appropriate gifted education. Each of six sections focuses on a specific strategy. These include: championing the cause by being knowledgeable and refuting myths; aiding in identification by knowing characteristics of the gifted and placement criteria, surveying local programs to…

This brief draws upon the five-year evaluation study of the San Diego Urban Systemic Project (USP) that Inverness Research Associates conducted from 2001 to 2006. The intended audiences for this brief are those interested in investing in, supporting, or designing initiatives that aim to improve math and science education in large urban districts.…

How can physical educators make connections to the larger community? This article discusses how physical educators can better inform community physical-activity leaders and coaches about appropriate instructional practices and how they can inform students about activities available in the community. It also offers suggestions for how to invite the…

Last December, the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education Coalition--a national organization of more than 600 groups representing knowledge workers, educators, scientists, engineers, and technicians--wrote to President-elect Obama urging him to "not lose sight of the critical role that STEM education plays in…

This biweekly newsletter contains news and information about school improvement in the United States and is designed for parents and families. This issue highlights U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige's comments at the 2004 National Urban League Conference celebrating the achievements of the "No Child Left Behind Act" in helping to improve…

An educational tool concerning renewable energy and the environment, this CD-ROM provides nearly 1,000 screens of text, graphics, videos, and interactive exercises. It also provides a detailed index, charts of U.S. energy consumption by state, an energy glossary, and a list of related Web sites. This CD-ROM, additionally, offers "The School…

"Kids Count in Colorado!" is an annual publication of the Children's Campaign, providing state and county level data on child well-being factors including child health, education, and economic status. Since its first release 20 years ago, "Kids Count in Colorado!" has become the most trusted source for data and information on…

Project ASTRO is an innovative program to support science education by linking teachers and students in grades 4-9 with amateur and professional astronomers with the overall goal being to increase students' interest in astronomy and science in general. This manual was designed for teachers, amateur and professional astronomers, youth group…

This biweekly newsletter contains news and information about school improvement in the United States, designed expressly for parents and families. This issue highlights the resignation of Rod Paige as Secretary of Education, and the nomination of Margaret Spellings by President Bush for the nation's top leadership position in education.

This brochure presents 10 reasons for becoming a teacher: (1) to ignite the spark of curiosity in children; (2) to practice three of life's valuable virtues: kindness, patience, and understanding; (3) to experience the joy of seeing children learn to read, write, and do arithmetic and set them on a path to success in school and in life; (4) to…

This guide, which can be used as a school self-inspection tool, is designed to help Washington's K-12 public schools prevent and reduce injuries and illnesses by focusing on good health and safety practices. The guide also focuses on practices that can be undertaken during the design, construction, renovation, operation, maintenance, or inspection…

This guide provides basic guidelines to help schools, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, analyze their vulnerability to violence, theft, and vandalism, and suggest possible technologies to effectively address these problems. It describes existing commercially available technologies and urges thoughtful consideration of not only the…

Guidelines are presented of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) that illustrates to parents and community members of local school councils how they can advocate for and get real capital improvements to their local schools. A nine-step process is detailed for increasing capital investment in local schools. Steps include setting up a facilities…

Activities that integrate the fine arts into the regular curriculum for grades kindergarten through twelve are presented. These activities were developed by five Oklahoma school districts participating in a one-year inservice program of study and involvement in the arts. Brief descriptions of programs and background information on participating…

This guide is designed for anyone who wants to work together with others to improve schools. Its aim is to create a high-performing learning community that is able to meet the highest goals for every student in its care. It identifies the "bottom line" of school-improvement efforts, that is, which elements research, best practice, and theory…