In this "FastFacts," a state requested recommendations about research and practical resources to inform technical assistance conducted with state education staff on formative assessment. The Center on Enhancing Early Learning Outcomes (CEELO) responds by describing what is currently known on this topic. Formative assessment is one key…

The purpose of the National AEM Center's Quality Indicators with Critical Components for Higher Education is to assist institutes of higher education, both at the system and campus level, with planning, implementing, and evaluating dynamic, coordinated systems for providing accessible materials and technologies for all students who need them. The…

Students with low-incidence disabilities frequently receive less than optimal psychoeducational services because the specialized tests and instructional materials required to meet their idiosyncratic needs often are unavailable due to budget constraints, inadequate training of school personnel, and the difficulty school personnel have keeping…

This article describes Project Mercury, a Florida Gifted Challenge Grant which evaluates and disseminates outstanding curriculum products for gifted students. It lists recent products disseminated by the project and other Gifted Challenge Grant products available. (DB)

Describes activities of the Minnesota Educational Computing Consortium (MECC). Created in 1973, MECC provides instructional services, develops computer software, and is actively involved in training educators. Other organizations (institutional members) may pay a fixed fee to obtain annual right to duplicate and/or distribute MECC products to…

A training program for instructional materials selection has been implemented by the Florida Department of Education. Nine instructional modules and a trainer's guide have been developed and are used for training members of state and district level instructional materials councils. Reactions to the program have been positive. (MES)

This paper summarizes information from interviews with four states regarding their Universal Design for Learning (UDL) initiatives, i.e., state or regional level efforts to promote the principles and practices of UDL via professional development or the production and/or dissemination of universally designed instructional materials. Discussion of…

This report reflects the work of a task force charged with examining curricular materials used by the New York State Department of Education to see if they adequately reflect the pluralistic nature of society, and to identify areas where changes or additions may be needed. The Task Force concluded that African Americans, Asian Americans, Puerto…

This report summarizes information on the status of health education in the Texas public schools. The first section addresses components of the public school health program. Section two considers the comprehensive school health program, intended to promote continued improvement of both school health and physical education. The third section covers…

This article describes the development of training materials for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families and discusses statewide systems efforts to promote self-determination. The materials, developed by Florida agencies, are designed to enable individuals and family members to envision and realize choice, inclusion, and…

Describes how the Statewide Systemic Initiatives Program (SSI) has encouraged the creation and strengthening of university-school partnerships. Highlights initiatives in four states--Montana, Ohio, Connecticut, and Louisiana--as examples of SSI programs that are oriented toward several types of curricular reform, teacher preparation and…

This guidebook has been developed to support and coordinate efforts across Pennsylvania to increase the connections between farms and schools. It is written for schools and school districts--and especially for food service directors, teachers, administrators, school nurses, and school health and wellness committees. It is also written for farmers…

This staff development guide provides a description of the kindergarten; overviews of kindergarten classroom learning centers; and transparencies for use in a teacher training workshop. The description of the kindergarten briefly focuses on the definition and philosophy of the kindergarten; the history of the kindergarten; principles of…

Discusses the implementation and applications of an information retrieval system designed for Apple microcomputers to assist reading specialists and clinicians select both commercial and noncommercial remedial reading materials. (AEA)

This publication presents information on federal and state programs which fund library and other book-related projects. Federal programs described provide funding for: (1) library services (Title I, Library Services and Construction Act/LSCA); (2) instructional materials and school library resources (Title IV-B, Elementary and Secondary Education…