This paper contends that, although there is much to commend in the remediation reform movement, it is unlikely to attain its goals. These goals include the Lumina Foundation's target of having 60% of Americans attain a degree or certificate, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's goal of doubling the number of low income students who earn a…

In the first decade of the 21st century, the nation, the states, and colleges and universities began to grapple with the challenges of globalization, changing demography, the implications of the digital era, and of a less expansive public sector. Although not a transformative period for higher education, the decade saw significant innovations in…

A Gathering of Waters is a community-based art and activism project to raise awareness that the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo is a desperately endangered river, connect communities dependent on the river, and galvanize those communities into action. Activities provided actual and symbolic experiences of river water for American Indian, Hispanic, Anglo, and…

This report describes and evaluates the Raven School, a charter school established in 1998 to serve adjudicated youths ages 16 to 18. The school is administered by the Gulf Coast Trades Center, a private nonprofit organization located in the Sam Houston National Forest in rural Texas. In addition to academics and GED preparation, other program…

Camp Tyler, a comprehensive educational facility, serves the public schools during the school year and other organizations dedicated to children during the summer months. During their stay at the facility, students have an opportunity to become involved with and better understand their environment and their peers. (Author/JN)

The mission of Project SWEP (Skyline Wide Educational Plan) was to conceptualize the secondary school of the years 1980-2000 and to develop a viable working model of such schooling. The staff first sought a comprehensive description of the society of the 1980s and beyond, with emphasis on how education might be impacted by various facets of that…

The McLellan County (Texas) Cooperative for Exceptional Children emphasizes vocational training in community settings as well as domestic skills through the Living in Functional Environments program. Community-based instruction improves the transition not only to employment but to independent living and community participation for youth with…

This paper describes the involvement of Mexican-American parents in secondary schools located along the Texas-Mexico border. The study is directed toward strengthening parental involvement in school communities where cultural and linguistic diversity, poverty, mobility, and lack of English proficiency present challenges to both school staff and…

Texas ranks among the top 10 states for school dropouts with an annual dropout rate of about 30%. Some dropout prevention programs are incorporating community service components as a means to counter the alienation and low self-esteem frequently seen among dropouts and at-risk students. Significant adults other than school personnel provide youth…

This paper describes the school-community guidance centers authorized by the Texas legislature in 1981 in an attempt to decrease the incidence of student disruptive behavior and student contacts with the criminal justice system. The variety of services, including academic instruction, counseling, home/school liaison, and follow-up programs, are…

Findings of a study that examined effective parent involvement programs in selected Texas secondary schools are presented in this paper. Surveys were mailed to a total sample of 464 respondents in 35 secondary schools identified as exemplary--35 principals, 35 counselors, 175 teachers, 175 parents, 22 district superintendents, and 22 district…

The Leander Independent School District in Austin, Texas, undertook a project to (1) research the training needs for high-technology occupations in the Greater Austin area, (2) develop a statewide model of an articulated 2 + 2 program to prepare students for careers as technicians, and (3) implement the articulated 2 + 2 program with Austin…

A secondary curriculum for teaching about Texas law is designed for use by both teachers and visiting resource persons. Introductory materials include a preface, acknowledgements, an introduction, and practical suggestions for visiting speakers. The main body of the publication contains nine units of material on the following topics: Texas courts,…

In 2003, the Lumina Foundation for Education launched a major initiative, "Achieving the Dream: Community Colleges Count," to increase student success at community colleges. The initiative focuses on colleges with high enrollments of low-income students and students of color. In the first round, 27 colleges in five states were selected.…

This guide is intended to assist planners of job training programs in understanding the connections between the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act and the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) and coordinating programs that receive funds under either or both of the acts. The first section presents overviews of both acts and a chart comparing…