Despite the expressed need for high-quality science education, very little research has been conducted on what middle school science learning opportunities look like in practice. This study was conducted in support of "Strengthening Science Education in California", a research, policy, and communications initiative. Partners in this…

In joint partnership, Achieve, The Council of Chief State School Officers, and Student Achievement Partners have developed a Toolkit for Evaluating the Alignment of Instructional and Assessment Materials to the Common Core State Standards. The Toolkit is a set of interrelated, freely available instruments for evaluating alignment to the CCSS; each…

In joint partnership, Achieve, The Council of Chief State School Officers, and Student Achievement Partners have developed a Toolkit for Evaluating the Alignment of Instructional and Assessment Materials to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). The Toolkit is a set of interrelated, freely available instruments for evaluating alignment to the…

Local school systems, Local Education Agencies [LEAs], and universities, Institutions of Higher Education [IHEs], work together in a variety of ways in the initial preparation and ongoing professional development of teachers, although it is difficult to ascertain the number of LEA/IHE partnerships. These relationships typically allow for a…

This booklet is designed to serve as a resource to both formal and nonformal environmental educators, as well as others (students, community leaders, and parents) interested in the field of environmental education. It contains lists of programs, resources, contacts, and information related to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA)…

This guide is intended to help current and prospective charter school leaders decide whether and how to work with pre-existing "whole school designs." Such school designs range from those that cover one core element of school operations to designs covering almost every aspect of school operations. The guide contains initial information…

Schools that are most successful in engaging parents and other family members in support of their children's learning look beyond traditional definitions of parent involvement--parent teacher organizations or signing report cards--to a broader conception of supporting families in activities outside of school that can encourage their children's'…

Schools that are most successful in engaging parents and other family members in support of their children's learning look beyond traditional definitions of parent involvement to a broader conception of supporting families in activities outside of school that can encourage their children's learning. This idea book is intended to assist educators,…

This pamphlet describes a year-long project that began with the idea of inviting eighth graders to study the thoughts of second graders as shared during literature discussions. It then evolved into a more elaborate project bolstered by the students' enthusiasm and interest in each other. The pamphlet describes the students, establishment of the…

Built on the experiences of educators and parents who have put research into practice to improve children's learning, this book focuses on the interdependence of educators and parents and their partnership of support for children. The first chapter, "Parent Involvement: Promises, Problems, and Solutions" (Rebecca Crawford Burns), provides a review…

This guide provides information on using the Illinois Child Care Subsidy System in order to assist Illinois early childhood education and care programs in collaborating with other agencies and programs to plan and provide quality, consistent early care and education services for low-income families and their children. The guide also discusses…

Head Start has a long history of providing comprehensive child and family development services to low-income children and families. Noting that this history can serve as a model as early childhood and care programs work toward greater collaboration with other programs and agencies to improve child well-being and help move families toward…

This handbook is intended to help trainers and development workers plan and conduct training programs based on the Action Training Model (ATM). The ATM combines training with action and learning with production by building upon participants' knowledge and learning needs and involving participants in a process of active learning and cooperative…

This book describes a literacy program called Teens for Literacy, in operation over 10 years, and explains how readers can set up a similar program in their school or community. The book states that the program is intended to interest middle school and high school students in promoting literacy while improving their reading and writing skills. It…

Discusses the rationale for applying management information systems (MIS's) to contract education programs, depicts an ideal MIS, and describes the MIS currently utilized in California. Suggests that computer-based MISs, such as California's Contract Education Data Inventory System, serve as invaluable aids in organizing and interpreting program…