State Quality Rating Improvement Systems (QRIS) can effectively support the improvement of school-age childcare programs by leveraging Program Quality Assessments (PQAs) alongside structured improvement planning and professional development. Real-world implementations in Arkansas, Michigan, and Pennsylvania underscore the impact and adaptability…

Examination of teacher education in Michigan and California illustrates dimensions of assonance and dissonance among key stakeholders in teacher preparation, particularly in relation to professional standards, accreditation, and teacher testing. Different shapes and values may be preferable to a national standard scorecard for teachers. (SLD)

Describes statewide professional development programs in Michigan that were developed to train teachers in technology use. Discusses Teach for Tomorrow, which combines online learning with local facilitators and peer support networks; and the Great Lakes Education Network Best Practices project, which combines lesson plans from the Web with…

The Freedom to Learn (FTL) program is a statewide initiative coordinated by the Michigan Department of Education and Ferris State University in Big Rapids. Now beginning its third year, the program targets underperforming middle schools in 100 of the state's 500 districts. More than 23,000 students and 1,500 teachers have been issued HP nx9010…

This document briefly describes school improvement opportunities in Michigan, including 19 projects, programs, grants, and plans for school improvement in grades K-12; 2 accreditation processes; 2 school improvement opportunities for intermediate school districts; and 3 opportunities for professional development. Each description contains…

This report examines the current status of federal and state involvement in educational personnel development. First, it describes the federal legislative process, and offers a list of members of Congressional committees dealing with education legislation. Next, it analyzes involvement of the U.S. Office of Education and of individual states in…

This report presents the state of Michigan's special education state plan for fiscal years 1995-1997. It includes policies and procedures for complying with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and state regulations. Chapters address: (1) the right to education; (2) full educational opportunities, goals, and time lines; (3) child…

As part of the Cooperative Vocational Professional Development and Training Project, this handbook has been developed to help vocational cooperative education coordinators in Michigan to cope with new and expanding work programs in the community, and new and expanding federal and state laws, rules, and regulations. Following an introduction to the…

This final report describes activities and accomplishments of a 3-year federal grant to Michigan that provided technical assistance to parents of children who are deaf-blind and to the Michigan agencies who provide educational, vocational, transitional, early intervention, and related services to children who are deaf-blind. The project involved…

The Michigan Council on Vocational Education conducted a comprehensive review of all secondary-level vocational education (VE) programs for adult criminal offenders. The review focused on the programs that were delivered through the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) in fiscal years 1994 and 1995. Data were collected from the following:…