This speech addresses reform in the middle grades. The ideas were prompted by mandates of the No Child Left Behind Act. The speaker focused on eight fundamental questions, suggesting that the questions should have less to do with the techniques of implementation than with provoking discussion about a school system's or school's values, priorities,…

A salary plan based on the supply and demand for teachers is advocated, using an index calculated each year. (MNS)

Certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is a symbol of professional teaching excellence that validates good teaching, creates excellent mentors and professional development opportunities, helps retain teachers, and has a positive impact on student learning. Today 47 states and nearly 400 school districts have…

Investing in education is viewed as important to ensuring the success of the nation's children. One of the largest dollar investments in education is teacher salaries. In fact, roughly 60 percent of all instructional dollars go to paying teachers. How well are they paid and are their salaries based on what policymakers value in a quality teacher?…

In 1988 the Community College Reform Act (AB 1725) began a phase out of credentials in favor of a process for establishing minimum qualifications and the determination of equivalencies that are at least equal to the state-adopted minimum qualifications for a particular discipline. According to Education Code sections 87359 and 87360, someone…

This study of the education, training and employment of asylum seekers and refugees in the UK is based on the academic and policy literature and empirical data from five major studies. It sets out the political context to seeking asylum in the UK, explores current policy and practice regarding the education, training and employment of new migrants…

The vast majority of American high school students say they want to attend college in order to pursue rewarding careers. Of students responding to the 2005 High School Survey of Student Engagement, 83 percent indicated that they expected to go to college. Despite high student aspirations, however, large achievement gaps persist among students by…

Recent scores on state tests show that middle grades students have made some progress in meeting their state's academic standards over the last half-decade. Yet a closer look at state standards indicates that too many Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) states have set them too low. Quite a few states have taken steps to improve their…

This group of three papers addresses the issues of the supply of competent administrators, their education, and the management needs they should be providing for elementary and secondary education in Oklahoma. The first paper proposes improvements in the selection process for school superintendents. Using input from school administrators, school…

This paper focuses on the teacher competency testing movement that is sweeping the nation. The first section provides an overview of teacher testing programs nationally, including the rationale for such programs, the types of tests used across the states, concerns about current testing programs, test validity studies, and fiscal and legal issues.…

A shortage of qualified administrators has sparked a boom in principal-preparation programs. Some states and school districts have developed innovative principal-training programs that typically consist of classroom work; a full-time internship; and a network that allows program graduates to share information with colleagues and get feedback from…

The "2011 State Preschool Yearbook" is the newest edition of our annual report profiling state-funded prekindergarten programs in the United States. This latest "Yearbook" presents data on state-funded prekindergarten during the 2010-2011 school year as well as documenting a decade of progress since the first…

Federal law emphasizes the need for states and districts to ensure that "all" students--particularly at-risk students, minority students, and students in high-poverty areas--have access to highly qualified, experienced teachers. But is it sufficient for a teacher to have "paper" qualifications and teaching experience? After all, appropriate…

This report summarizes a two-year study of supervisory officers in Ontario. The research focused on what supervisory officers do, what skills they need, how they are prepared and selected, and how they experience the job in terms of satisfaction and effectiveness. A stratified sample of 25 boards and 4 ministry offices was selected for indepth…

Women wishing to promote themselves into the educational leadership positions for which they are qualified should concentrate their energies in three major directions--planning, presentation, and perseverance. This report recommends steps women can take in finding a satisfying administrative position in education. Accompanying comments include…