Teacher professional development is complex, and despite evidence from randomised controlled trials about key factors influencing this process, there is little research about how abilities prior to initial teacher training (ITT) influence early classroom practice. In England, many schools face teacher recruitment and retention challenges and…

Researchers reviewed existing research and conducted an original analysis of data from a large, nationally representative sample of Latino kindergartners with the aim of understanding what factors are associated with math achievement prior to and during the kindergarten year. This report begins by providing an overview of the research on the…

Researchers reviewed existing research and conducted an original analysis of data from a large, nationally representative sample of Latino kindergartners with the aim of understanding what factors are associated with math achievement prior to and during the kindergarten year. This executive summary begins by providing an overview of the research…

The high school dropout problem has been called a national crisis. Educators, researchers, and policymakers continue to work to identify effective dropout prevention approaches. One important element of such prevention efforts is the identification of students at highest risk for dropping out and then the targeting of resources to keep them in…

The Milwaukee (Wisconsin) Public Schools' Project RISE raised the achievement levels of 18 inner-city elementary schools dramatically without changing personnel or student composition, and without additional funding. Improvements were related to change in staff attitudes and in policies and practices affecting management, organization, behavior,…

This report presents findings from a multi-year project on handicapped and non-handicapped high school dropouts, including a longitudinal study of high school students in five Colorado school districts and a social ecological study to identify community characteristics which predispose a school district to high dropout rates. The longitudinal…

This report examines the decline in the number of medical students choosing generalist or primary care specialties, along with the efficacy of strategies designed to encourage students to choose generalist and primary care training. Based on surveys of college and medical school students, residents, and medical schools, the study focused on: (1)…

Three possible explanations for superintendent succession focus on poor administrative performance, district response strategies, and the politics of the chief executive's relationship with the school board. To analyze succession in the context of declining enrollment, a case study survey was conducted of 56 school districts whose peak enrollment…

The impact of correctional education (CE) on inmates' postrelease behavior was examined in a longitudinal study of recidivism in Maryland (which has a medium-sized prison population), Minnesota (which has a small prison population), and Ohio (which has a large prison population). The study sample consisted of 3,170 individuals in the release…

This report summarizes a strategy evaluation study of the Personnel Preparation Program (a division in the federal Office of Special Education Programs). The Personnel Preparation Program is intended to increase the numbers of qualified special educators through grants to institutions of higher education and state education agencies. This study…