Purpose: The authors adapted distributed cognition theory to provide a detailed account of how school leaders use knowledge of the new programs, existing initiatives, and school contexts to guide policy implementation. Research Design: The study used distributed cognition theory to show how policy implementation studies provide an occasion to…

Much of the evaluation of vocational education at the state and local levels has been conducted in response to federal legislation. Although some of the evaluative information has been useful for program improvement, much has been collected only for compliance with federal and state mandates. The educational reform movement has prompted school…

Details about an investigation into the nature of the mathematics curriculum at the elementary level and suggestions about ways to improve existing programs are the focus of this material. It is noted that there appeared to be a great gulf between the type of instruction typically provided and the type viewed as the best possible to provide, with…

This report provides a critical analysis of the Foundation's program, examining its rationale, implementation, and impact. The Foundation gave access to all correspondence and progress reports relating to the program to an independent evaluation team and facilitated visits to most of the 25 project sites. The first chapter discusses the entry of…

Project Redesign is a New York State Education Department longrange planning endeavor for the development of an education system's capacity and potential to continuously change and adapt to changing needs and objectives. During the past year, four carefully selected prototype districts began a redesign process that incorporates several unique…

Three training programs in the Pittsburgh-based project to design new approaches to training educational R & D personnel focus on the development and conduct of local change programs. Each of the training programs includes work within the training contexts of course work, laboratory exercises or projects, internship experiences, and individualized…

No educational program, however well designed, will be successful unless it is effectively implemented. This is just as true of "traditional" programs as of innovative or changed programs that are newly introduced in a school system. Very often, what a school system should undertake is improving the implementation of traditional programs rather…

Evidence suggests a common and consistent failure by college faculty to read available signals of improprieties in college athletics programs. The structure of the link between academics and athletics should be reexamined and the responsibility of the faculty reconsidered. (MSE)

Presents an overview of school inclusion programs for students with disabilities and describes specific strategies for designing and implementing successful programs which prepare students for the real world. Outlines strategies involving organizational change, curriculum and instruction modification, and school culture transformation. (GR)

Traces program development at the North Carolina Outward Bound school from 1967 to 1987. Describes changes in the standard three-week challenge course, evolution of short intensive courses, and introduction of tailored contract courses in response to changing market demands. Discusses implications for institutional mission, identity, and…

This article discusses the reform agenda which led to establishment of the "Teacher as Decision-Maker" program, a five-year teacher education program at University of Virginia. Program design, curriculum components, and evaluation are described as well as program-based research. (IAH)

Summarizes the implementation of a new General Education Program at Kean University, which sets forth a vertical, skills-based curriculum. The program directly addresses developmental education, calling for a restructuring of ways to deliver it and a vision for incorporating it into the University curriculum. (VWC)

This paper describes the initial efforts of the New American Schools Development Corporation (NASDC), a private, nonprofit corporation created as part of the American 2000 initiative to fund the development of new designs for American schools. NASDC is currently funding nine teams to develop and demonstrate designs for high-performing schools.…

The National Education Association's Mastery-in-Learning Project (MILP) seeks to empower students and teachers to become agents of democratic reform within the schools. It provides teachers and students with the necessary time, resources, skills, and motivation to restructure their schools into self-renewing centers of inquiry. Twenty-seven MILP…

These notes offer an overview of the elements that must be considered in designing an effective teacher education program. Each of the following is discussed: (1) the characteristics of an effective career teacher; (2) professional knowledge capabilities and skills often identified as topics that should be included in the teacher education…