A learning technologies director explains lessons gleaned from his school's strategic efforts to create a districtwide technology plan. The plan required an upfront vision, creative teamwork, facilitative leadership, instructional support, and patience. A sidebar details plans for incorporating assistive technologies for special-needs learners.…

The first step in an improvement effort involves reflection and goal setting. By focusing inward and identifying needs, a person or a school can make great changes. This article discusses how a writing center can be a locus for change within a school. Most high school writing centers start because a few English teachers share a passion for…

This publication is a comprehensive curriculum guide designed to assist local educators in planning for comprehensive business programs at the secondary and postsecondary levels. Information is of value for use by teacher educators when preparing students for teaching careers. The curriculum guide is divided into 18 sections. The first five…

The Employment Retention and Advancement (ERA) project was undertaken to identify effective strategies for helping low-income parents work more steadily and advance in the labor market. The 15 ERA demonstration projects that were operating in nine states (California, Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, South Carolina; Tennessee, and…

Illinois' Tech Prep Connection (TPC) project was undertaken to design and develop a comprehensive tech prep program providing sequenced, integrated academic and vocational coursework (in a 4 + 2 + 2 framework) in programs throughout five occupational clusters at the secondary, community college, and university levels. During FY92, which was its…

This paper examines the role that public policy and practice play in supporting the efforts of natural, adoptive, and foster families who have children and youth with disabilities in keeping their families intact. Obstacles and barriers to implementing the philosophy of permanence planning, especially for children and youth with disabilities, are…

In 1991, the Illinois Board of Higher Education, working with Illinois colleges and universities, began an initiative to improve productivity, enhance quality, and refine priorities for higher education in Illinois. This initiative, commonly known as PQP, has focused to date on instructional research, public service, and administrative programs…

This paper reports on a project designed to improve student achievement through better communication between parents/guardians and teachers of 7th-grade math students in a large, north-central Illinois urban community. Analysis of probable-cause data revealed that no structured means of communication existed. Attempts to communicate were thwarted…

This guide provides a basic understanding of sex equity concepts and Illinois' Building Fairness campaign. It identifies key issues and populations, raises awareness of applicable activities and resource assistance, and contributes to the knowledge base required for developing equity advocates. An introduction defines sex equity and "Building…

The plan describes a continuing effort in Illinois to improve access to education and school success for homeless children and youth. The Illinois plan was revised to meet the requirements of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Amendments Act of 1987 by reforming the original document into sections that highlight the major requirements of…

During a pilot project on the state role in facilitating adult learning, six states were asked (1) to establish and maintain a participatory planning mechanism for gathering information and building consensus among the public and private agencies and institutions within their states and (2) to use that mechanism in formulating policy…

This study examined the differences between Illinois beginning elementary and secondary teachers' perceptions of staff development activities and their sources of assistance during the first year. A survey in spring 1989 received responses from 601 elementary and 234 secondary teachers. Beginning elementary teachers rated the importance of staff…

This document, developed by the Illinois State Boaord of Education, identifies five state goals for learning in the fine arts, and provides sample learning objectives for grades, 3, 6, 8, 10, 12, which are consistent with the goals. The state goals for learning are broadly stated expressions of what the Illinois State Board of Education expects…

On November 5, 1985, the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) adopted a uniform set of high school subject requirements for admission to public university baccalaureate degree programs and to public community college associate in arts (AA) and associate in science (AS) degree programs. The specific high school subjects required for admission…

A statewide survey was conducted to determine the availability of a career development course at the high school level in Illinois. The participants in the study were the directors of vocational education in the 597 high school districts that submitted Local Plans for Vocational Education to the Illinois State Board of Education in FY 1984. They…