This book is an attempt to describe an ethic of excellence in schools and to share strategies for building and sustaining a school culture predicated on this ethic. It discusses a broad notion of excellence that includes excellence in academics, arts and creativity, and character. It recognizes that schools play a major role in shaping the values…

The District of Columbia Public Schools has adopted new learning standards for core subjects, including reading/English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. The new standards show what students should know and be able to do: (1) in each subject; (2) at each grade level; and (3) in every school. This publication guides parents…

Several factors associated with academic underachievement and high attrition of minority students are discussed, based on a review of the literature. A significant problem exists in undergraduate and graduate programs with respect to the lack of representation of minority students. The three factors identified as most critical are: (1) self-esteem…

Highlighting the impact of family and community involvement on student achievement, this videotape presents a satellite town meeting hosted by Secretary of Education, Richard Riley. The 60-minute video first notes the consensus in support of education, specifically higher standards, reasonable assessment, well-trained teachers, parent involvement,…

Taking effect in Fall 2002, the No Child Left Behind legislation will help to enable a high-quality education for every child in America, regardless of income, ability, or background. The legislation gives states more flexibility on how they spend their education dollars, and in return, requires them to set standards for student achievement and to…

This document describes the High Schools That Work (HSTW) program. HSTW, created by the Southern Regional Education Board, presents a school-reform design that encompasses goals, key practices, and key conditions for setting higher standards and accelerating learning. The HSTW model integrates college-preparatory studies with quality…

This resource document provides general information about literacy portfolio assessment, guidelines on using the technique, and a format for getting started. The first part discusses testing and assessment in adult literacy and basic education, alternative assessment, and literacy portfolios. The second part contains a list of questions and steps…

This monograph contains seven articles which focus primarily on formative evaluation for the purpose of furthering the learning of pupils. The articles include: an overview of formative evaluation by Peggy Chnupa; a description of the use of measurement and evaluation as an early screening for entering school children, by Sherrel Marginet and…

Developmental assets are a research-based list of 40 essential building blocks of healthy youth development and comprise the relationships, experiences, and values that youth need to grow up caring, confident, and responsible. This kit is a resource designed for elementary schools and organizations working with youth and parents to help them…

The U.S. Department of Education's Partnership for Family Involvement in Education encourages individuals, partner organizations, and alliances, whether they are members of the Partnership or not, to develop and implement effective family involvement practices in education. The goals of the Partnership are to increase opportunities for families to…

Noting that parent involvement in their children's schooling is a key to academic success, this book provides techniques and strategies for parents to help them assist their children with homework completion without conflict. Chapter 1, "Getting Started," includes guidance on who should help with homework and how to set a homework…

This article discusses the meaning of evaluation for teachers and students, reasons for evaluating students, and evaluative methods teachers might use. First, three principles of evaluation are presented: students should know the criteria for judging good and bad work; every student should have an opportunity to succeed at one type of evaluation;…

Increasing diversity among student populations and shifts in special education delivery systems have combined to create a tremendous need for interventions that can help children with learning and behavior problems achieve success in the regular classroom. Noting that many of the published, empirically validated interventions are relatively…

This handbook for parents stresses the ways in which children benefit when the responsibility for education is shared by the school and the home. The first section of the handbook proposes that parents' attitudes and their relationship with their children may be the most influential factors in children's success in school. It further proposes that…

The author builds upon a foundation which identifies courageous school leadership and the professional learning community as the center of effective school reform. The author offers six guiding principles steps for creating and sustaining a high-performing school: (1) Common mission, vision, values, and goals: (2) Systems for prevention and…