Schools are learning organisations. They continuously strive to do better for the children and young people in their charge. In doing so, they try new things, seek to learn from those experiences, and work to adopt and embed the practices that work best. Implementation is a key aspect of what schools do to improve, and yet it is a domain of school…

The Mastery-based Learning (MBL) Work Group has examined opportunities to increase student access to relevant and robust mastery-based academic pathways aligned to personal career goals and postsecondary education, and reviewed the role of the High School and Beyond Plan (HSBP) in supporting mastery-based learning. The Work Group members believe…

The "Value-Added School Review (VSR)" is an analytical model designed to assist schools in identifying and addressing opportunities for school improvement. The model works best when it is focused purposefully on students and the student learning outcomes as defined in the "Guide to Education". It complements the processes…

"Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress" is a biweekly newsletter that focuses on education news and events both in Washington, DC and around the country. The following articles are included in this issue: (1) Obama Administration Releases ESEA [Elementary and Secondary Education Act] Blueprint: Proposal to Overhaul NCLB [No…

The goal of college preparation programs is to help students, particularly underrepresented students of color, to enroll and succeed in college. While many programs focus on strengthening students' math and reading skills, familiarizing them with college entrance exams, and demystifying the college admissions process, there are few guidelines for…

Between 2001 and 2005, the state of Maine shifted the focus of its statewide high school improvement efforts to include an explicit focus on adolescent literacy. One trigger for that change in focus was a 5-school adolescent literacy initiative previously launched in a rural county under the federal Northeast and Islands Regional Educational…

The purpose of this study was to explore the nature of recent educational reform efforts in Washington State and to determine what educators believe to be the most important future areas of focus. In particular, the researchers wanted to determine whether school-wide improvement efforts (i.e. School Improvement Plans (SIPs), School Improvement…

This tool was created in order to help young people and adults develop a common language for talking about how to improve schools. The tool provides educators, young people, administrators, policy makers, parents, community members and other stake holders with a common lens for reflecting on their schools and for planning change. It can also be…

This article describes the 1st-year evaluation of a community-wide parent and family involvement program initiated in a midsized Southeast community and school district. The program consists of three major components: community-wide efforts, school-home communication, and home involvement. Formative and summative evaluation data were gathered…

Technological advancements and the "back to basics" movement have resulted in less emphasis on teaching about the fine arts. Arguments against this trend and suggestions for improving arts programs are offered. (DF)

This guide aids Chapter 1 Technical Assistance Center staff in conducting a brief (70-minute) workshop on parent participation in compensatory education programs funded under Chapter 1 of the Education Consolidaton Improvement Act. The goal is to clarify the attitudes and perceptions that are needed to expand or improve an existing Chapter 1…

This article applies the business concepts of cooperative partnerships between purchaser and supplier to improvement of programs for gifted students. It encourages systematic liaison between parent groups (the purchasers) and school and program administrators (the suppliers). (DB)

This booklet is for parents who want to take an active role in improving the science program in their children's schools. The first section of this booklet argues that science should be a part of all students' education. The second section provides a vision of the curriculum and teaching in a classroom where students can gain the understanding of…

In this guide, the results and findings of a major survey of magnet schools are organized into a practical manual for school districts to use in planning, developing, and implementing new magnet programs or improving those already in existence. The guide is divided into three sections: (1) key steps in magnet program development (an outline of…

This handbook is designed to provide parents and advocates with the information they need to take an active role in Chapter 1 programs. It contains 11 chapters. Chapters 1-4 are designed for anyone interested in learning more about the basic requirements of Chapter 1 law. Specifically, these chapters provide a brief overview of the law, explore…