A discussion of recent trends in state educational reform stresses the importance of addressing two challenges: teaching all students higher order thinking and developing more systematic, coherent policies. The article describes the challenges, examines how state policies in the 1980s addressed them and how districts responded, and suggests future…

Describes Connecticut's ongoing school reform efforts, which began around 1985. The reform process involves creating, supporting, and revising a coherent set of policies for improving teacher learning that are also aligned with standards for students. Planning includes state department staff in collaboration with teachers and principals. The state…

This paper spells out the specific steps that have been taken and will be taken by the Rutgers University President in addressing the school's undergraduate educational needs for the 1990s. Areas examined include the following: (1) the restoration of balance between teaching and research, including valuing and rewarding teaching; (2) the…

This study, part of a 3-year project designed to determine specifically and in-depth the reading, writing, and verbal demands made of students in university-level academic courses, college students by examining academic literacy requirements and involving the cooperative efforts of high school and university faculty members. This paper discusses…

The need to reinforce the skills of science teachers and supervisors and the need to increase student performance in the sciences have become critical national concerns. The importance of quality science education grows as science and technology continue to be major factors in our daily lives. New York City has recognized the need to enhance…

Following consideration of many reports on the status of public education, the Utah State Board of Education announces its commitment to the reform of the content, processes, and standards of public education in Utah. The board sets as its primary goals the attainment of excellence in education and the improvement of productivity. The reform will…

This document provides case histories that illustrate school district acccomplishments in utilizing Title I funds for improving the educational quality of economically and educationally disadvantaged children. The focus is on staff quality and utilization, and the case histories provide a source of ideas for local school districts who wish to…

This report provides a broad overview of previous NDEA institute evaluation reports on summer institutes two or more summers ago. Emphasis is on how to make the institutes more effective. Primary purposes of the summer institutes are to: 1) change what and how students learn in elementary and secondary school classrooms; and, 2) change college and…

Discusses the need for minority teachers to be role models and counselors if Black and other minority students are to achieve academically. Proposes the following solutions: (1) hire and promote more minority teachers on the basis of potential rather than experience; and (2) improve the image and effectiveness of teachers, regardless of…

The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) is President George W. Bush's education reform law passed by Republicans and Democrats in Congress. This guide for parents summarizes the main provisions of the law, answers common questions, and provides information on where to find additional resources. The first part of the guide provides an introduction and…

Edvantia, Inc. (formerly AEL) publishes "TransFormation" twice a year to provide policymakers with interpretive summaries of significant reports and rigorous studies about school transformation, giving special attention to research with possible implications for improving low-performing schools.This final print issue of…

This document contains an introductory paper and three case studies on improving teaching and learning at further education (FE) colleges in the United Kingdom. "Introduction" (Graham Peeke) reports on the following: government efforts to improve teaching at FE colleges; the work being done by the Further Education Development Agency…

Implementing pay-for-performance salary structures has been used successfully in business and can result in benefits for educational systems when implemented along with other compensation reforms. Business leaders can help in the implementation of teacher pay-for-performance systems in the following ways: (1) ensure that pay-for-performance plans…

This paper describes college-school partnerships between Lesley College, Massachusetts and surrounding local schools. The partnerships fall into three categories: 1) training of preservice teachers in intensive, 1-year, field-based clinical masters programs, where coursework and field experience are integrated in an onsite clinical model; 2)…

One of five articles in the section on the "Promise and Purpose of Professional Development Schools," this article examines the interwoven pieces of professional development schools. It focuses on prioritizing the partnerships through collaborative planning, displaying a distinctive difference in teacher education and school reform, and…