Teachers who work together to blend academic and career/technical (CT) instruction have found a key to motivating students to complete high school and prepare for college, advanced training and careers. This newsletter highlights key strategies schools are using to join academic and technical studies to advance student motivation and achievement.…

The pedagogical assumptions and teaching practices of learning community models reflect exemplary conditions for learning, so using these models with unprepared students seems desirable and worthy of investigation. This chapter describes the key role of faculty in creating active, integrative learning experiences for students in basic skills…

A framework is suggested for an environmental education course of study integrated with a social science program. (KM)

The law schools' traditional three-year program of "generalist" training is being criticized as being either too lengthy or inefficient in preparing students for specialized practice. It is argued that student specialization in the general degree program can bring about both curriculum reform and increased collaborative activity among…

This report reviews the goals and basic organization of interdisciplinary courses and programs in California community colleges. It notes the problems and benefits of such an approach and cites five essential qualities of successful interdisciplinary teaching. The major problems of such an enterprise are: often courses are too broad;…

Describes a model used for implementing middle grade reform in California public schools. Ten regional networks of 8 to 12 schools in geographic proximity were formed. Results of an evaluation indicated that, when supported by colleagues in their regional network, educators working in interdisciplinary teams implemented reforms in curriculum,…

The Veterans' Administration new Primary Ambulatory Care and Education (PACE) program at the Sepulveda (California) VA Medical Center, departs from traditional VA medical education models by shifting focus of care from inpatient to outpatient settings. The program uses an interdisciplinary team approach and stresses managed primary care. Aspects…

The result of a collaborative effort to meet the needs of California educators in middle-grades reform, this volume provides access to the best ideas in research and practice, and support for local improvement efforts. The casebook format tells the strategies, problems, and diverse actions of educators focusing on the "how" of leading a…

The "ISSS Annual Conference Proceedings" is a peer-reviewed professional publication published once a year following the annual conference. (Individual papers contain references.) [For the 2009 proceedings, see ED504973.]