The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) challenges state education agencies (SEAs) to improve student outcomes by addressing the student-, teacher-, and school-level factors that drive achievement gains. This Guide for Identifying Evidence-Based Interventions for School Improvement is intended to help State Education Agencies (SEAs) carefully…

Developing positive school climates and improving school discipline policies and practices are critical steps to raising academic achievement and supporting student success. However, there is no single formula for doing so. Rather, the growing body of research and best practices in the field should inform locally developed approaches to improving…

Outlines the Madison Workshop Program for staff development, operated by the local school system in cooperation with a local college. This unique collaboration funds nationally known educators to present workshops for local teachers. (MD)

Educators and policymakers in New Mexico are aware that far too many at-risk children do poorly in school, drop out, or perform poorly even if they graduate. In July 1990, the Rockefeller Foundation provided funds for a pilot "New Mexico Academy for School Leaders." The academy brought together 34 elementary school principals, teachers,…

A new computer program designed to reach out into the community as well as train students, faculty, and staff includes a built-in evaluation program. (MD)

This paper looks at the ways in which the role of the teacher is expanding in schools across the country. The report also discusses the reasons behind such changes in the roles and responsibilities assigned to teachers and describes places where teachers are actually carrying out these expanded roles. The knowledge base which answers the question…

Observers of school reform efforts in 17 central New York school districts found a performance dip that sets in during the implementation stage. Staff performance suffers because everyone is learning the new system. Assistance, support, and training need to be offered until everyone has mastered the basics. Gradually, the reforms will become an…

Numerous studies indicate that student learning is directly linked to the quality of teaching that occurs in the classroom. School boards can play a vital role in staff development. They should adopt standards for student learning, teaching, leadership, and staff development. Adequate funding and an incentive system that rewards improvements in…

Outlines six beliefs administrators may have that hinder the deliverance of good staff development programs. The author asserts that it is important that principals critically examine the implications of these beliefs. (MD)

Issues are discussed that may help school boards become more aware of what instructional technology can and should do for students. The discussion is limited to computers and their relationship to other electronic learning technologies. The issues are organized according to policy and planning, staff, curriculum, equity, and funding. The…

To recognize high performance administrators, a South Carolina school district has added a performance incentive to the basic salary plan for administrators. Criteria for comparing job targets that are selected by the administrators are based on scope, complexity, and anticipated impact. (MLF)

A computer training model for school personnel can be divided into several phases that meet a district's goal of decentralizing the computerized administrative and instructional support system. Training involves such considerations as cost and job description revisions. (CJH)

Outlines an innovative district-wide staff development program that improved morale, lessened the teacher burnout rate, and saved the district money. (MD)

Some school systems are recognizing their responsibility to check software piracy, and a few publishers are responding to schools' needs and offering discounts on multiple copies of software to schools with policies protecting software copyright. Includes a model policy example. (MD)

The only valid reason for supervising and evaluating teachers is to improve instruction. Boards of education can improve teaching and learning in schools by setting up a teacher evaluation system, letting administrators do their jobs, and giving backup with funding. (MLF)