As obtaining education funding becomes increasingly competitive, family literacy programs must communicate their message of success to receive public and private funding and support. A critical component of educational excellence is parental engagement, but how do communities and schools effectively implement parent engagement and family literacy,…

The goals of this rubric are to help State education leaders confirm areas of strength and identify areas of need and provide suggested steps for sharpening strategies, building capacity and enhancing reach. The rubric is divided into five sections, representing the five core areas of focus State Education Agencies (SEAs) should consider when…

The accompanying facilitator's guide is a critical resource for State teams to use to do an initial self-assessment using the rubric and to improve their strategy or approach. The guide offers States flexibility in designing a workshop, providing instructions for either a comprehensive two-day workshop or individual sessions to address specific…

Suggests five alternatives for plays to be run during the Christmas season, rather than the usual "A Christmas Carol" or "The Nutcracker." (PA)

A speechwriter who prepares a text for public address should first consider whether he or she is going to deliver the speech personally and should be careful to select a topic which the potential audience will not strongly oppose. From the introduction of a speech to its conclusion, a speechwriter should have definite goals, present an appropriate…

Pointing out that what sells a story idea for film or television is not writing the script but preparing the "treatment"--the brief pitch of a story to a producer or agent--this book furnishes dozens of examples of treatments from actual productions. The book makes the distinction between scripts designed for feature films, episodic…

Discusses written procedures that explain library tasks and describes methods for writing them clearly and coherently. The use of appropriate terminology and vocabulary is discussed; the value of illustrations, typography, and format to enhance the visual effect is explained; the intended audience is considered; and examples are given. (seven…

Designed to be useful in the preparation of a research proposal, a culmination report of completed research, a thesis or a dissertation, this paper discusses each chapter of these various reports and offers samples of what is typically included under each subheading. Sections of the paper address the "problem" (including problem…

This completely updated edition of a marketing manual for writers ages 8 to 18 provides over 150 listings of markets and contests that accept submissions from young writers. The manual's listings discuss the kind of material the organization wants, the editor's or sponsor's remarks and suggestions, what a writer can expect in the way of pay,…

Based on the "simple truth" that people, not proposals, secure grants, this guide argues that grantseekers need to go well beyond strong ideas and "beautifully written" proposals. The guide provides fundraisers with the grantsmanship skills they need to navigate the grantmaking process: from avoiding common pitfalls such as…

This paper offers a summary of two aspects of effective speaking in public, whether it be with co-workers, supervisors, friends, or a group of little-known or unknown others. One aspect of public speaking is the level of sincerity, and the other is the level and variety of skills used. The paper first considers sincerity and then, it discusses the…

Through the guide's 39 chapters, a person can learn how to write his or her life, and how to prepare, submit, and sell the story. The guide offers advice on: ideas--how to spot them, enjoy them, and jot them down; first drafts and the value in simply telling the story and revising later; establishing a writing routine and keeping it; the hows and…

Not intended to replace traditional style and grammar manuals, this manual digs into questions that the "Chicago Manual of Style," the "AP Guide," and "Strunk and White" do not even imagine--it aims to give the user a feel for the new language that is evolving in the digital age. The manual might be considered an…

Designed to be a "road map," this guide introduces an approach to producing "electronic reports," documents that fuse computer-based methods with traditional research techniques. The guide emphasizes four stages--planning, inquiry, analysis, and expression. The chapter on planning discusses defining objectives, flowcharting,…