The Every Student Succeeds Act gives states greater flexibility in designing educational policy, but questions remain about whether and how states will use this opportunity to design truly innovative new policies to support higher levels of student learning. The authors describe how educational leaders in four states--California, Iowa, New…

The Internationals Network for Public Schools has a reputation for engaging in culturally and linguistically responsive pedagogy with immigrant youth. The 19 schools in the internationals school network serve the unique academic and emotional needs of recently arrived immigrant youth who are English language learners. INPS schools are in New York,…

Recounts the less obvious deleterious impact that Proposition 13 has had on education in California. (IRT)

Though there has been increasing interest in character education among policy makers and education professionals, many schools hesitate to do anything that might detract from their focus on increasing academic performance. The authors present evidence indicating that this may be misguided. (Contains 13 endnotes.)

Explores the interconnections among educational philosophy, professional commitment, technical support, curriculum, instruction, and accountability. Provides practical suggestions for translating general ideas of excellence into widespread improvements in the quality of instruction and student performance. Describes California's experience with…

Senate Bill 813, the broadest and most expensive school reform bill in California's history, is anchored in a set of seriously flawed assumptions about teaching, schooling, and the role of the state in generating change. (Author/DCS)

Imagine a school that offers its students a safe environment, a rigorous college-prep curriculum, high expectations for student responsibility, and individualized attention. In this article, the author describes such a school, but it is not an elite private school for the wealthy. It is the Street Academy in Oakland, California, which serves a…