Investigates the link between staff development and student achievement, examining studies that were published or accessed in ERIC and that used standardized achievement tests to evaluate students. The article reviews studies related to and different from Hunter's model, noting that statistical data do not support the link. (SM)

In 1985, in response to both first- and second-wave reform reports criticizing the nation's schools for a lack of rigor in their instructional programs, the achievement formula research project, "Techniques of Responsive Intervention to Validate Effective Teaching" (TRIVET), was developed. Between 1985 and 1988, the project was piloted in three…

This investigation was undertaken to provide insights as to how to improve the quality and relevance of teacher training in grading practices. The study was designed, by looking at grading practices of 15 high school teachers via intensive case study methodology, to explore: (1) the nature and technical quality of assessment and grading practices;…

This catalogue discusses major Minnesota proposals over the past two years (through the end of the 1985 legislative session) for improving the quality of K-12 public education in the state. Following a 10-page summary is a legislative update which provides a picture of education reform as enacted by the state legislation, and connects some of the…

The inservice programs in this publication demonstrate varied approaches to staff development. The programs range from districtwide efforts with a particular topic, such as thinking skills, to the creation of teacher centers and highly individualized growth plans such as a voucher system. The programs demonstrate a commitment by the district to…

Maryland's School Improvement Through Instructional Process (SITIP) program involved 24 local education agencies (LEAs) in implementing one or more research-based instructional models: Active Teaching, Mastery Learning, Student Team Teaching, and Teaching Variables. A summary is presented of: (1) descriptions of each of the instructional models;…

The purpose of the basic skills component of this project was to improve the reading and mathematics skills of 2085 junior high school and middle or extended elementary school students who were assigned to transition teachers for help. The target population for the Mathematics Teacher Resource Development consisted of teachers who (1) needed…

This report presents the evaluation of the Fall River Middle School Research and Development Center, a project funded under Title VII of the 1965 Elementary Secondary Act as a model demonstration bilingual program, beginning in 1972-1973. The Title VII bilingual program operated at the fifth grade level in three schools with two bilingual program…

The reports of four recent reform proposals for American education were analyzed: "A Nation at Risk,""Action for Excellence,""Academic Preparation for College," and "Making the Grade." The authors concluded that the commissions used weak arguments and poor data. Recommendations were made to remedy current…

This report marks a midpoint in the Annenberg $500 million challenge to improve public schools. It comes at a time when evidence from the Annenberg Challenge's first projects has started to accumulate--and to suggest that the program is indeed having a beneficial impact on students, schools, and communities. This report also furnishes early…

This publication presents information from an April 1999 meeting of the National Partnership for Excellence and Accountability in Teaching and Learning and the Learning First Alliance, which brought together representatives of schools and districts where outstanding faculty development was underway. This guide presents the story that these…

This guide is designed to help school district leaders build public understanding and support for comprehensive school reform (CSR) by introducing the concept to schools, parents, and the community. Without broad-based public understanding and support, it will be difficult for the district to meet its central goal of improving student achievement.…

To determine whether increasing teachers' effectiveness influences the relationship between teachers' initial expectations for a student and the student's actual performance, data were gathered on intermediate grades and secondary school teachers who participated in a mastery learning workshop. Correlations between teacher expectations and student…

Explains the Big6 approach to teaching information skills and describes its use in a high school social studies class to improve student test scores, teach them how to learn, and improve the teachers' skills. Highlights include the balance between content and process, formative and summative evaluation, assignment organizers, and study tips. (LRW)

Outlines the characteristics of standards-based, worthy uses of new technologies in education and describes characteristics of an effective school district change process that engages teachers in adult learning that is curriculum-rich and focuses on enhancing student performance. Topics include engaged learning; professional development; and…