Literacy instruction does not end with reading success in early grades. As students move to middle and high school, new challenges emerge that can affect literacy achievement. Even for students who achieve early reading and writing success, the literacy demands of middle and high school can pose substantial challenges. Older students must be able…

Module I provides paraeducators an opportunity to increase what they know about professional ethics and the appropriate roles and responsibilities of paraeducators. The module has been designed to address two goals: to develop an understanding of paraeducator professional and ethical standards; to develop a basic understanding of paraeducator…

This non-regulatory guidance updates and expands upon the "LEA and School Improvement Non-Regulatory Guidance" issued on January 7, 2004. The revised guidance addresses new issues raised by State and local officials in light of their experiences in administering and carrying out the "School Restructuring" provisions authorized…

The main challenges faced by high schools are preparing students for the workforce of the 21st century, and for post secondary educational opportunities. Yet in a 2004 review of the graduation requirements of all 50 states, Achieve Inc. discovered that "no state requires its graduates to take the courses that reflect the real-world demands of…

In this guide, transition is defined as the period of time when adolescents are moving into adulthood. This guide is designed to (a) help youth and the adults who work with them understand the role of assessment in transition and (b) describe ways to collect and use data that will lead to informed choices based on accurate assessment of each…

In many places across the country, public school students no longer automatically attend their neighborhood school. Instead, parents may decide that their child's needs are better met elsewhere, for example, at a small alternative school, an arts magnet school, a charter technology high school, or a media academy operating within a larger school.…