DegreePlus is a recently developed program at Western Carolina University (WCU) that aims to develop transferable skills, including professionalism, cultural responsiveness, leadership and teamwork, in students via their participation in extracurricular activities. A mixed-methods study that included focus groups and a survey was used to identify…

In September 2011, the Association of American Universities launched a major initiative to improve undergraduate STEM education. The overall objective was to influence the culture of STEM departments at AAU institutions so that faculty members are encouraged and supported to use teaching practices proven by research to be effective in engaging…

The East Durham Children's Initiative (EDCI), a partnership among local government, nonprofit, faith, and school organizations, is focusing on the community's most promising resource--its children--in order to restore the city to the thriving African-American middle-class community it was throughout much of the mid-20th century. Since 2008, EDCI…

Corn clubs played an important role in improving agriculture at the turn of the 20th century. Corn clubs were local organizations consisting of boys who cultivated corn on one acre of land under the supervision of a local club leader. The purpose of this historical research study was to document the organization, operation, and outcomes of corn…

This is a report of the planning and development of environmental education programs in North Carolina. Areas discussed are the need for cooperative planning, goals and objectives, and existing programs in scientific and technical training, in public and professional education, and in public agencies. Limitations are noted and specific…

This publication provides guidelines to aid administrators, counselors, and business teachers in developing business programs for North Carolina youth. Following a brief introduction, the second of ten sections relates a philosophy of business education to its implications for program development and guidance. Section 3 reviews North Carolina's…

Survey of 20 rural eastern North Carolina teachers suggests that spring and fall are best for holding outdoor education workshops, with fall preferred. Workshops should provide teachers with hands-on activities, information about local outdoor resource areas, and classroom materials and should emphasize improving teacher familiarity with the…

A project of comprehensive inservice training for public school teachers and other personnel serving autistic children in North Carolina is described, and objectives and accomplishments are documented. In addition to summer training for teachers of autistic children, a series of four school-year workshops, and a 2-day period of winter inservice…

A task force comprised of members from the North Carolina State Education Agency has developed a statewide plan for career education, which is outlined. Seven sections present: (1) objectives, task force background, and personnel; (2) a summary of information on North Carolina school programs; (3) a definition of career education encompassing the…

Examining the benefits of an environmental center, this article details educational, scientific, cultural, and recreational objectives of an environmental center as defined by the National Audubon Society. Journal availability: see RC 503 504. (SB)

In 2005, the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) helped more children, more parents and more educators than ever before. Through their programs, information services, and policy initiatives, they raised awareness, mobilized advocates, and took action to help ensure that learning disabilities are identified and addressed early and…

This guide provides a framework and tools for local health department staff in North Carolina who plan and evaluate health education programs. The first section presents health education standards of practice. These standards form a base on which the agency can build quality health education services and help health care practitioners become aware…

Teachers rely on mental planning throughout the design, implementation, and evaluation phases of instruction. This paper focuses on the elementary school teacher's use of instructional design (ID) skills in the planning and delivery of instruction, emphasizing the relative and "real" use of ID practices in both mental and written…

North Carolina created the State Migrant Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) in response to federal regulations regarding the establishment, membership, and function of PACs at the state and local level, and in order to consider the views of migrant parents regarding the planning, operation, and evaluation of the migrant education program. State and…