Social and emotional learning (SEL) has been increasingly emphasized in educational research and practice for promoting children's wellbeing. Perhaps the most well-known SEL framework is the model provided by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL). This framework has become the dominant framework informing state SEL…

School leadership is a key factor in school turnarounds. The general prescription for what school leaders should do tends to be this: Set high expectations for staff and students and give strong instructional supports. Most school systems recognize how tall an order this is, given everything else the principal job entails. Even principals who are…

Clearly, low performing, and especially failing schools, are a high priority concern for policy makers. And it is evident that fundamental systemic changes are necessary. The authors contend that it is essential that policy makers move to a three-component framework for turning around, transforming, and continuously improving schools. The third…

The content of this guide was derived from ongoing work of a working group on growth models coordinated and facilitated by the SLDS Grant Program's State Support Team. The Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems (SLDS) Grant Program was asked by several states to review current growth models with the goal of determining the impact of different models…

The Growth Model Pilot Project (GMPP) was initiated to allow states to experiment with adjustments to the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) status accountability system in order to improve the validity of AYP determinations by giving schools credit for students who are making significant growth. The pilot allowed states, districts, and schools to…

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) initiated the Growth Model Pilot Project (GMPP) in November 2005 with the goal of approving up to ten states to incorporate growth models in school adequate yearly progress (AYP) determinations under the "Elementary and Secondary Education Act" ("ESEA"). After extensive reviews, nine states…

This guide provides a variety of tools that can help educators, building staff, or school districts decide how to include environmental education in their curriculum. Chapter 1 identifies important environmental education concepts. Chapter 2 describes different general approaches and the advantages of each. Two models and the key components of…

This study examined the teacher work samples of 197 student teachers to determine their level of technology integration during student teaching. Findings indicated that most student teachers planned to use some kind of technology, although only 40% planned to include computers and less than 20% planned for the use of computers by students. The…

This paper makes a case for considering science as one of the humanities by describing the use of the Chautauqua Model in the state of Iowa to affect teacher attitude and behavior. The model includes a two-week experience with science, technology, and society teaching and learning (STS); a two-and-one-half day short course; planning and usage of a…

To develop and test a model for both describing and predicting Iowa school districts' pupil transportation costs, the author first tested the generalizability of a 1980 study by McAvoy of 37 Iowa districts and then identified independent variables that would explain Iowa pupil transportation costs. Data were gathered on all 447 Iowa districts for…

Describes experiences from the Iowa Star Schools project involving the introduction of distance education into preservice teacher education. Highlights include project activities for preservice teacher education; and future possibilities, including connecting Iowa preservice teacher education programs, connecting preservice programs with…

With their emphasis on due process, these model rules and policies can help schools safeguard the rights of students and ensure that schools are more certain of the facts when all other alternatives have failed and it is necessary to dismiss or expel a student. Local rules and policies based on this model should help to keep both the rights and…

In 1989, the Iowa Legislature created a new code section that defines and regulates student exercise of free expression in "official school publications." Also, the Iowa State Department of Education was directed to develop a model publication code that includes reasonable provisions for regulating the time, place, and manner of student…

A model school policy provides guidelines for Iowa school systems with regard to students with AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), herpes simplex, and cytomegalovirus. The AIDS guidelines include the following: (1) Routine screening students for AIDS associated virus is not recommended. (2) Children infected with the AIDS associated virus,…

Examines the relationship of seven work-environment variables in the job satisfaction of school social workers. A multiple regression model accounted for 28% of variance in job satisfaction. Three significant variables in the model are satisfaction with supervision, difference between actual and ideal levels of service provision, and changes in…