A systematic analysis of the references to "scientifically based research" (SBR) and closely related terms, such as "peer-reviewed research" (PRR), in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) legislation, regulations, commentary, and case law reveal that SBR and its primary variants apply largely to state support…

Teacher evaluation has emerged as a major focus for reform at the highest levels of education policymaking, and for good reason. Most evaluations are based on scant evidence of actual effectiveness, produce inflated ratings, and provide teachers with little useful feedback. This paper offers policymakers and practitioners important "lessons…

"Partnerships for College Access and Success: A Technical Assistance Guide, Toolkit and Resource Guide" reflects lessons learned from four years of planning, implementation and evaluation work through the Partnerships for College Access and Success (PCAS) initiative. It is the result of the collaboration between AED (Academy for Educational…

This guide helps leaders working with parents and the community learn about promising practices in parent and community involvement in school reform. By examining the efforts of seven contrasting groups working with parents nationwide, the guide depicts the many forms that parent and community involvement in schools can take, highlighting…

A brief policy paper on multicultural education and a bulletin from the State Superintendent on its implementation in schools in Washington State are included in this report. The first paper lists 31 competencies that should be demonstrated by teachers who teach in multicultural settings. It also discusses the "change roles" that both…

Explores the link between the management of fiscal retrenchment and the need for more effective schools. Describes school improvement strategies based on the school effectiveness research and on past experience with educational change programs. A final section discusses the potential role of these strategies in the larger context of educational…

A survey of recipients of 51 technical assistance projects addressing needs of children with sensory impairments in 18 states and territories resulted in identification of desired individual, programmatic, and systemwide changes in provision of technical assistance services. (Author/DB)

A discussion of higher education in eastern Europe begins with a description of the major European programs promoting international mobility for students and scholars and then examines reform efforts in the former Soviet Union, Poland, and former East Germany. Critical factors in the success of reforms are outlined. (MSE)

A system of classifying educational change, focusing on change perspectives rather than on change strategies, is provided in an attempt to increase understanding of issues relating to change efforts in educational settings. The term "perspectives" is used to mean orientations for interpreting, while the term "strategies" is used for methodologies…

This resource directory lists assistance groups that can help a school improve to meet the objectives of the Chicago (Illinois) School Improvement initiative. The assistance groups listed differ in several ways. Some specialize in improving reading or mathematics, for example, while others offer a broader range of school restructuring advice. The…

A rural school administrator functions in many roles including disciplinarian, extracurricular supervisor, community liaison, curriculum leader, interpreter of state department regulations and fiscal director. New technologies in education have given even more roles to the administrator. The need to keep abreast of the plethora of educational…

Issues in reform of international business and economics education at Tartu University (Estonia) are discussed, including need for faculty development, faculty reallocation, and redistribution of resources within the country's new social and economic context. It is argued that reform depends on effective integration of foreign experts with more…

Four themes appear consistently in discussions of college and university institutional research in the twenty-first century: accelerating change, need for information access, need for better comparative data, and the dilemma that occurs when institutional research offices are required to provide both policy analysis and technological competence.…

Contends that there is a growing world market in education that has particular importance for Russia and Europe. Discusses the growing numbers of higher education students who study in other nations. Presents a list of recommendations that provide a foundation for Russia's future participation in international education. (CFR)

Describes the Somalia Nomad Education Program. States that social studies is the core of the program which has a primary goal of developing national unity. Discusses successful features of the program and its vulnerability to political and economic events. (CFR)