In this paper, I present a design case of the problem-identification process prior to the initiation of a Networked Improvement Community (NIC). A NIC is a type of research-practice partnership (RPP) that brings together researchers and practitioners to tackle complex problems of practice, and in doing so, proposes a social reorganization of the…

The U.S. Department of Education recently released a "College Completion Tool Kit" intended to support the higher education attainment goals set by the Obama administration. These goals are consistent with the state's Strategic Master Plan for Higher Education. The tool kit lays out strategies for achieving higher levels of attainment…

Assessment of specialized programs, such as logistics and supply chain management program described here, may pose challenges because previous experience are less widely shared than in the more mainline subjects. This case study provides one model that may guide other faculties facing a similar assignment. The report detailed the steps followed to…

COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATIONAL PLANNING HAS FOUR MAJOR PARTS. THE FIRST, POLICY AND GOAL SETTING, RELATES TO THE DETERMINATION OF GOALS, POLICIES, AND OBJECTIVES WHICH GUIDE HIGHER EDUCATION SERVICES. QUALITY AND PATTERN OF SERVICES, RELATIONSHIP OF EDUCATION TO SOCIETY, DETERMINATION OF THOSE TO BE SERVED, AND THE RELATIONSHIP OF POST HIGH SCHOOL…

The Wisconsin State Plan is presented in two parts (1) administrative provisions and (2) annual and long-range program plan provisions. Part one sets forth detailed procedures for the administration of vocational education in Wisconsin and the legal basis for these procedures. It describes the State board and its organizational structure; fiscal…

This document combines a review of Wisconsin technology initiatives and related research with outlines of components needed for a comprehensive educational technology system to serve all Wisconsin citizens. The long-range statewide plan is intended to enhance elementary and secondary academic achievement through proper use of state-of-the-art…

Nicolet Vocational, Technical and Adult Education District encompasses a sparsely populated, economically and culturally disadvantaged three-county area in northern Wisconsin. The district is responsible for vocational-technical education at all levels and operates the Nicolet College and Technical Institute, the first comprehensive two-year…

In 1989-90, the General Education Task Force of the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) was convened to determine the role of the general education curriculum in the attainment of skills that enhance the likelihood of success among technical college graduates in their careers, homes and communities. The Task Force consisted of at least one…

Much energy has been invested into identifying educational goals at the national, state, and local levels. When a plethora of goals exist, the chances of all goals being achieved decreases as economic and human resources are not channeled toward a narrowly defined end. This paper presents findings of a study that explored the alignment of federal…

This paper attempts to demonstrate the importance of control in the experimental design of alternative sociocultural and educational futures, leading to expanded or contrasted opportunities for generalized and individualized education. This is accomplished through the further explication of theoretical, value/design, and research approaches, and…

This is a description of Wisconsin's vocational, technical, and adult education (VTAE) system designed to provide delivery of occupational education through comprehensive districts. It is intended for use by legislators, vocational educators, and policy makers. The system plan, divided into five sections, provides in the first section the basis…

The Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) Phase III Equity Staff Development project was conducted to determine strategies to eliminate sex bias and sex role stereotyping throughout the WTCS. The following project activities were conducted: (1) the WTCS sex equity advisory committee was formed to provide continuity and direction for state…

A perspective of state assessment, state goal-setting, and state standards adoption is presented. Relationships among these three concepts are noted and the relationship of all three to a system orientation is explored. The recent history of national and state assessment is documented. Attention is given in this historical overview to the manner…

In response both to a growing national grumbling about the need for educational accountability and to a felt need to better define and focus on district priorities, the Madison Public Schools adopted a mangement by objectives (MBO) program in 1970. It is on the basis of three years' experience with this program that this book has been written. The…

Issues in systemic educational policy are discussed in this paper, with a focus on improving student achievement. First, the limitations of the current educational policy as a means to improve student achievement are described, and a conceptual framework for systemic educational policy is presented. The advantages and disadvantages of centralized…