Purpose: This paper explores how leaders of new public high schools -- one charter and two innovation schools -- navigated the journey from school-in-theory to school-in-practice during the school's first three years. School leaders at charter and innovation schools have increased freedom over curriculum, budget, scheduling and personnel when…

California's alternative education options for youth vulnerable to dropping out of school have been established at different historical points and for different student age and target populations. For purposes of this brief, "alternative school" is defined as belonging to one of six legislatively authorized types of public (non-charter)…

The two authors share learning gleaned from personal, classroom experiences in small schools--both cautions and assurances--for other educators who may be embarking on a similar path. We worked at two different small high school sites in the Denver Public Schools, an urban district with an ethnically diverse student population of 78,000. We…

The severe youth health crisis involving overweight and obesity requires a complex policy response involving multiple domains: education, agriculture, health services, and community planning. This research examines gardening's affective benefits for adolescents and the potential school and youth gardens have to support healthy communities.…

Results of a survey showed that employers in Colorado believed high school graduates lacked basic employability skills. A Portfolio of Competencies was developed that would contain a record of each student's progress in skill development through grades 9-12. Step-by-step guidelines for implementation of the plan are included. (JB)

A research project was undertaken to analyze the effect of increased science and math high school graduation requirements and to develop models to minimize the impact of these increases on vocational course enrollments. Data from survey instruments sent to Colorado's 174 school districts, state directors of vocational education, and state…

Loveland (Colorado) High School is a comprehensive high school of approximately 1,500 students located 50 miles north of Denver. Two years ago, Loveland was not making annual yearly progress (AYP) in any subpopulation as required by the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). The scores of the general population were not much to brag about either.…

Opinions of 108 administrative supervisors of vocational department heads were obtained to provide implications for training of vocational supervisors. Responses were obtained from 27 administrators in each of four types of schools: technical institutes, comprehensive high schools, vocational high schools, and junior colleges. The most important…

This 12-section handbook, based on information for Colorado but applicable to other states as well, contains resources and lists and explains procedures to establish or expand a career guidance center in a school, government office, or organization. The 12 sections cover the following topics: (1) purpose and philosophy; (2) assessment, advisory…

In presenting a complete program of occupational education for the Denver metropolitan area, this proposal offers 12 criteria for consideration in conjunction with a particular occupational need. The purpose of the criteria is to provide guidelines for determining in which level of school a program should be offered. The criteria include factors…

An evaluation determined the outcome and impact of the project "A Career Education Program for the Gifted and Talented in Rural Colorado" conducted by the South Central BOCES (Board of Cooperative Education Services) during 1979-80 in Pueblo, Colorado. (A project report is available separately--see Note.) Two evaluation instruments were…

The experiences of 10 states described in this paper illustrate how higher education can be a constructive force for change in the schools, and how the changes taking place in school-based curriculum and assessment provide valuable lessons for collegiate reform. The 10 states profiled are California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, New…

As part of an effort to chart the path of vocational education in Colorado, the Colorado Vocational Association (CVA) assembled 55 vocational educators, administrators, and business and industry leaders to review the status of vocational education in the state and develop a series of statements to establish standards and provide direction for the…

This document presents materials and guidelines for evaluating Colorado high school students' attainment of the eight state standards for consumer and family studies that pertain to teen challenges and choices. The materials presented are designed to promote and evaluate students' mastery of the following competencies: (1) examine and demonstrate…

This guide is intended to provide local agricultural education tech prep programs throughout Colorado with a framework for updating their own curriculum and developing articulation with postsecondary institutions. First, a primer to standards-based education explains the role of the following items in standards-based education in agriculture: (1)…