This document presents case studies of three excellent schools (one each at the elementary school, middle school, and high school levels), and describes the methods by which these schools achieved recognition in order to offer suggestions for community members working to improve their own schools. The book is organized into six chapters. The first…

This study examined the impact of state budget cuts on public colleges and universities in six states, focusing on the effects of such cuts on institutional priorities and plans, tuition and fees, and educational quality. Five state higher education finance officers, 12 state college or university system finance officers, and 98 college or…

These file cards present statistical information on a variety of educational topics. The general topic of each card has been printed in the upper right hand corner so they may be used as an idea file. The following topics are included: (1) student performance (academic achievement, high school graduates, and long-lasting results of education); (2)…

The purpose of a study conducted by the Chancellor's Office of the California Community Colleges (CCCs) was to examine current policies and practices regarding the use of part-time faculty in the CCCs, faculty characteristics, implications for instructional quality, and policy options. The study involved a review of existing literature; data…

This training manual consists of two major sections: a "Handbook for Conducting an Elementary Program Review" and the "Elementary Program Quality Criteria" document. The handbook is designed to assist a program review team in (1) judging the effect of curriculum, instructional methodologies, and effectiveness strategies on…

The "Basic Agenda" of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges (CCC) is developed annually to establish priorities for the community college system and act as the Board's chief policy-making document. The 1988-89 agenda identifies 20 major issues facing the colleges and offers concrete solutions for their resolution…

This document has been designed to assist members of a program review team through the process of reviewing a program. The program review process has been designed for judging the effects of the curriculum, instructional methods, and improvement strategies on the students; guiding the development of planned assistance; and providing a model for…

Results of two web-based surveys, one completed by students and one completed by faculty, staff and managers in Fall 2004, which were designed to provide information to assist with ongoing discussions surrounding the future of Distance Education at each of the colleges in the Los Rios Community College District-American River College, Cosumnes…

Presents information from the first year of the California Formative Assessment and Support System for Teachers (CFASST), suggesting that it offers a way to diagnose teaching systematically and facilitate improved student academic achievement. Open-ended feedback from support providers all over California on the first CFASST events indicates that…

In this research we examined associations among teacher-articulated beliefs and practices about families, teacher background characteristics, and observed teaching practices in programs that served low-income children and families of color. One hundred and fifty four children (50% girls) and their primary teachers from 12 programs in Los Angeles…

This article presents the results of a study in which university students were questioned about their high school experiences. Major findings include (1) There is a great need to improve the quality of instruction that students receive in math, science, critical thinking, and study skills; (2) Hispanic and African American students believe that…

Despite the ethnic and linguistic diversity found in California's public schools, or because of it, in 1998 voters approved Proposition 227, a ballot initiative designed to dismantle bilingual education programs in the state. By the 2003-2004 school year, the California Department of Education reports that statewide 8,908 teachers were providing…

This report is one of nine detailed case studies of small urban high schools that served as the foundation for the Education Resource Strategies (ERS) report "Strategic Designs: Lessons from Leading Edge Small Urban High Schools." These nine schools were dubbed "Leading Edge Schools" because they stand apart from other high…

The standards for accreditation presented in this paper were developed by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges to measure basic characteristics of quality required of all accredited institutions. The accreditation standards are divided into eight areas. Standard one discusses institutional integrity: purposes; planning; and…

This report identifies the major issues facing community colleges in California and presents the judgements of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges concerning how these issues should be addressed, placing particular emphasis on what should be done during 1985. The issues constituting the basic agenda of the Board for 1985…