In contrast to prior federally mandated school reforms, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) allows states more discretion in reforming their lowest performing schools, removes requirements to disrupt the status quo, and does not allocate substantial additional funds. Using a regression discontinuity design, we evaluate a state turnaround…

In contrast to prior federally mandated school reforms, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) allows states more discretion in reforming their lowest performing schools, removes requirements to disrupt the status quo, and does not allocate substantial additional funds. Using a regression discontinuity design, we evaluate a state turnaround…

Between 2006 and 2010, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction intervened in 128 low-performing schools, combining approaches consistent with school restructuring and transformation. In improved schools, local educators reconstructed key school functions, a distinctly nonlinear process more like the work of skilled craftsmen than that…

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)…

Superintendents and principals can have a positive and decisive impact on student achievement and higher graduation rates. Their essential leadership can illuminate the path to excellence for faculty and students. In upgrading curriculum and instruction, school leaders need to keep abreast of practices proven effective in other districts and…

A North Carolina study examined the problem of adult illiteracy in Spring 1988. Secondary data for the service areas of eight community colleges chosen as study sites indicated that approximately 25 percent of North Carolinans aged 25 years and older had completed less than the ninth grade in 1980 and the majority of them were unemployed. A review…

Graduating students who can compete in the digital age is imperative but remains an uphill battle in the absence of a strong national technology policy, empowered education leadership, and ongoing dialogue involving business, community, government, and educators. Meantime, in pockets around the country, some states, districts, and schools are…

This publication was developed to assist educators, engineers, and architects in planning facilities for occupational education. The first section is primarily concerned with the educator's responsibilities for involving staff and community in orderly planning. The second part is concerned with the technical characteristics of occupational…

This document suggests facilities necessary to conduct instruction in arts programs in grades 9-12 and conveys essential features that should be present. As a reference document for school facilities designers, it describes arts education programs and the facilities that support them, with some sections focusing on the concepts and features common…

Describes North Carolina's efforts toward the articulation of vocational education programs between high schools and community colleges. Focuses primarily on the Articulation Research Project undertaken in Duplin County, its expansion to other areas of the state, and the three-tier program intended to build upon the Duplin project to include…

This paper describes a study of a collaborative initiative between a rural high school and a university. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of collaboration in a rural school reform partnership. What grew out of this study was a collaborative model of a partnership. While partnerships are not unique, there is a unique…

Since 1989, North Carolina has implemented several statewide initiatives to establish high expectations for all students. State educators have also paid increasing attention to the flexible use of time as a resource for expanding student learning. Block scheduling is a reorganization of school time that is increasingly being adopted by North…

The 1999 version of the "North Carolina English Language Arts Standard Course of Study" (SCoS) specifies grade-by-grade standards for students in grades K-12. As a complement to the SCoS, "In the Right Direction" is intended to help teachers understand and implement the SCoS. While not comprehensive or prescriptive, this…

A study of British Columbia high schools found that block scheduling can endanger mathematics achievement. Reduced math scores were attributed to irregular planning time, little opportunity to modify curriculum; and the provincial examination system. Longer time blocks cannot succeed without adequate planning time, curricular restructuring, and…

Prepared as a guide to assist local educational agencies and community colleges in North Carolina in developing articulation arrangements, this handbook contains program descriptions, departmental policies regarding coordinated programming, descriptions of eligible courses and students, the rules and regulations governing the implementation of…