School researchers and administrators are developing new ways to measure student skills and progress, using portfolios, self-evaluation, verbal answers to mathematics problems, and other assessment formats. This book explains the assessment reform movement and describes programs across the country that have embraced new forms of assessment.…

Intended for community college administrators, governing boards, and other leaders interested in strengthening their institutions and communities, this monograph chronicles the experiences of five pilot colleges implementing the community-based programming (CBP) model of the Academy for Community College Leadership Advancement, Innovation, and…

In 1991, the New American Schools (NAS) Development Corporation was founded by a group of business and foundation leaders interested in investing in innovative designs for school transformation. This book describes the first 3 years of development and evaluation of 9 NAS whole-school restructuring designs. The designs were very diverse, as were…

This guidebook provides information on how to implement authentic assessment. It presents pertinent information in an easy-to-read format and is intended to be a reference for further resources. Chapter 1 defines relevant terms and compares traditional testing practices with authentic assessment. Specifically, it looks at the differences in…

This book presents case-study findings of five school systems' efforts to become true learning communities through action research into the school-renewal process. The programs were located in the Southeast, Midwest, Far West, and an overseas region of the Department of Defense Dependents Schools. The programs shared three characteristics: a focus…

In order to be responsive to continuing societal and individual changes, education must look to reforming the entire educational enterprise, including guidance in the schools. This text provides a model for planning comprehensive, effective guidance programs in grades K-12. It is written for school counselors, directors of guidance, guidance…

Many children and adolescents fall through the cracks of counseling systems that rely on crisis intervention. This text provides an understanding of how human development occurs and it suggests guidelines and strategies for promoting positive development. Although primarily focused for school counselors, the book could also help school…

This book tells the story of a character-education effort implemented in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania. It is asserted that school board members, administrators, faculty, classified staff, parents, and students all have key roles in developing a districtwide ethos that supports the core ethical values at every opportunity. The first chapter offers…

There has been much recent debate in both educational and political circles about the utility of choice as a means of improving the educational system. This book argues that any discussion of choice must address choice in public schools. The book is organized into seven chapters. Chapter 1 provides an overview of choice in public education,…

A practical guide is presented to peer tutoring for teachers and others with an interest in promoting cooperative learning. It includes a guide to organizing peer tutoring, as well as a review of research on the effects of peer tutoring, and evidence for social and academic gains for the student and the tutor. The perspective is international,…

The aim and focus of holistic learning is making connections, e.g., connections between subjects or between thinking and intuition. Integrated studies implies a holistic approach to learning and a curriculum that has the capacity to combine three positions on the function of schooling: transmission of facts, skills, and values; transaction or…

Origins of modular courses and the module in British postcompulsory education are considered, along with characteristics of modules, credit transfer, five case studies, and marketing in further and higher education. A module is a measured part (or course) of an extended learning experience that leads to specified qualifications. A designated…

A proven model for screening prospective residence hall assistants (RAs), training them in critical interpersonal and leadership skills, selecting the best candidates, and giving them strong supervisory support on the job is presented in this comprehensive guide. After an introductory chapter on the historical context within which RAs operate…

In Bolivia, malnutrition afflicts about 25 percent of children under 3 and 12-24 percent of women. It contributes to high death rates, immune deficiency, learning disabilities, and low work productivity. Malnutrition and its effects are particularly severe among poor, rural, and indigenous populations. Malnutrition is both caused by and causes…

This document is an update of Focus on Research: A Guide to Developing Students' Research Skills (Alberta Education, 1990). Focus on Research was developed in response to suggestions from Alberta teachers during the implementation of Focus on Learning: an Integrated Program Model for Alberta School Libraries (Alberta Education, 1985). …