Physics First represents an organizational alternative to the traditional high school science sequence. It calls for a re-sequencing of high school courses so that students study physics before chemistry and biology. The purpose of this pamphlet is to provide: (1) Basic information and rationale for the Physics First curriculum; (2) Strategies for…

The audience for this guide is state, local, and program leaders who want to learn more about federal funding sources that can support early literacy programs and systems reform. Funding available through federal programs can help address the underlying causes of children failing to learn to read by the end of third grade, such as limited access…

"Building Your Program" is intended to help mental health authorities, agency administrators, and program leaders think through and develop Supported Education. The first part of this booklet gives you background information about the Supported Education model. Specific information about your role in implementing and sustaining Supported Education…

This guide is designed as a reference for District and School personnel working with English learners (ELs). The content of the guide represents a compilation of information, examples, and resources. This guide is a living document and subject to frequent updates. It is recommended to review the document online rather than printing a hard copy.

This document was developed to provide action steps that can be taken by teachers, parents, administrators, and students themselves to develop the personal, cognitive, and social dimensions of students. These advocates are identified in "The Holistic Learner Framework: A Culturally Responsive Approach to Accelerating the Achievement of Low…

The Alberta Initiative for School Improvement (AISI) is a bold approach to improving student learning by encouraging teachers, parents, and the community to work collaboratively to introduce innovative projects that address local needs. Initiated in 1999 by the Alberta Government and its partners, AISI provides targeted funding to school…

This booklet is designed to offer state and district policymakers a thoughtful set of questions to ask about school reform models and the organizations that develop them. The questions follow the criteria for schoolwide reform as spelled out in the federal legislation. Policymakers are encouraged to consider these questions as they work with…

This program guide is designed to provide the educational community with the recommended plan for industrial arts (IA) in Pennsylvania. It outlines the program that is consistent with the mandates and recommendations of the 1984 Chapter 5-Curriculum Regulations of the State Board of Education and has been developed using current national IA…

Programs to encourage dropouts to finish school need to overcome the roadblocks of credits, time, and support services. Highlights nine specific hallmarks of effective dropout prevention programs gleaned from a study of 479 programs titled: "School Dropouts: Survey of Local Programs." (MLF)

This booklet offers state, district, and school leaders guidance both in understanding comprehensive school reform and in identifying effective comprehensive school-reform programs and the organizations that develop and help implement them. It focuses on the new federal program known as the Comprehensive School Reform Development (CSRD) Project, a…

This guide provides basic background information about outdoor and environmental education for interested educators. Collected articles summarize current thought, trends, and practices in outdoor and environmental education. Examples of current programs are selected to demonstrate both the variety and excellence of programming in this area. These…

Information that payees need for program operation, as well as guidelines for grants and contracts paid through the Grant Administration and Payment System (GAPS), is provided in this guide. The guide is intended to help users understand their responsibilities in expediting payments, in completing forms and reports, and in controlling federal cash…

Educational policies for gifted programs are often developed as the result of being under fire by either the public, parents, or the district. Such policies are often ill-conceived because they have been created under pressure rather than rational thought; therefore, this booklet reviews the content and organization of a sample program manual for…

The bilingual manual for permanent employees and field staff details the regulations and guidelines that govern the activities of Katimavik, a volunteer service program in which Canadian youth, ages 17-21, spend nine months in groups of 12, participating in community work projects and special learning activities in the areas of work skills, second…

This guide for locating local resources to support a literacy program is designed to help program directors or organizers identify partners and stakeholders in their community--those that may not have been thought of as a resource. In the context of this guide, resources refers to any organization, initiative, or individual who supports…