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…

A profile is presented of the demographic and academic characteristics of over 1.2 million California community college students who were actively enrolled as of the first attendance-accounting period in fall 1987. Sections I presents student counts and characteristics by districts. Section II presents student counts and characteristics by…

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…

Presents a model for teaching fourth graders some aspects of the population geography of California. The lessons are structured and teacher-directed, examine the question of why so many people have moved to California, and use a variety of social inquiry processes. (Author/AV)

As California's youth culture yields to gray power, school administrators will be challenged to provide youth programs in an atmosphere of growing hostility and increased demands for services to the elderly. This article provides a sample action plan and issues brief to help educators involve older adults in school-based programs. (MLH)

Five universities offering credential programs for teachers of individuals with physical disabilities jointly investigated demographics, and teacher competency and training options. Surveys completed by 220 administrators and 143 teachers indicated a body of expertise exists available to special education teachers, and special and general…

California's population changes will present challenging public policy dilemmas concerning employment, income, political participation, education, and health services. This paper shares research results to be published in a book entitled "The Burden of Support: The Young Latino in an Aging Society," by David Hayes-Bautista, Jorge Chapa,…

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.…

In 1987, a study was conducted to investigate the extent to which demographic, institutional, and assessment factors affected access to college-level courses for underrepresented students (i.e., Blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans, and persons with disabilities). Using stepwise discriminant function analyses and descriptive statistics, the study…