Head Start has long focused on assessing and improving program quality to ensure that the children served receive the best possible preparation for school and life. Most research has been focused inside the classroom--the classroom environment, teacher qualifications, and teacher interactions. Of course, the classroom is important because that is…

Schoolwide action research involves the actors in a school continuously and systematically studying their school, analyzing the information gathered, and using it to work toward improvement. Action research can involve collecting data over several years, such as the cumulative effects of schooling, or over shorter periods of time to evaluate…

Provides background on the general issues of performance assessment and suggests intervention strategies for department chairs. (KEH)

Describes the creation of a set of outcome assessment guidelines recently developed for college and university theater programs. Categorizes outcomes in three ways: knowledge, skills, and attitudes. (KEH)

This document was designed to provide school administrators and professional staff of New York State with a model for evaluating the grade 7-8 social studies program. The program evaluation model outlines a step-by-step procedure for identifying questions for study, gathering and analyzing data, and developing a plan for program improvement. An…

In 1972-73, the Alabama State Department of Education along with the University of Alabama College of Education instituted an experimental program in two Alabama school systems. The program was designed to identify the districts' educational priorities to be submitted as part of proposals for federal funding. This report describes the steps in…

This guide presents the components and implementation phases of the Technical Assistance Center's Chapter 1 Program Improvement Process. The goal of this process is to improve the achievement of educationally disadvantaged students. The following components are discussed: (1) teamwork; (2) informed decision-making; (3) vision setting; (4) research…

These guidelines present best educational practices designed to assist school districts in providing quality programs for students with severe disabilities. The guidelines are intended to serve as a self-assessment tool for school districts. State-operated programs for Oregon students who are trainable mentally retarded are to use the guidelines…

A career academy is a small learning community within a high school, which selects a subset of students and teachers for a two-, three-, or four-year period. Students enter through a voluntary process; they must apply and be accepted, with parental knowledge and support. A career academy involves teachers from different subjects working together…

This group-oriented workbook for teachers and administrators is a three stage guide to program planning, development, and evaluation. The first stage consists of identifying and ranking areas of concern in terms of value to students, staff, community or school board, and program. A learner goal needs assessment instrument, and a formal statement…

This publication is a guide with the materials necessary for leading a workshop session on a method for Chapter 1 program improvement that involves teachers and administrators. The "For the Children" approach to program improvement offers a plan for bringing together the people who are responsible for implementing the program that has…

The Standards Implementation Design (SID) system is a comprehensive framework for analyzing school performance, planning for improvement based on the analysis, implementing the improvements, and evaluating results. It is designed to engage school personnel in introspection about student achievement as related to curriculum, the teaching and…

A series of worksheets, evaluation forms, readings, and activities is presented to aid in the review, development, and improvement of the K-12 social studies program. The guide begins with a brief overview on program improvement, followed by methods for reviewing the present social studies program. Checksheets, charts, and outlines are provided…

This guide sets forth minimum approval criteria for vocational agriculture cluster programs in Oregon. The agriculture cluster program includes instruction in six areas: animal science, soil science, plant science, agricultural economics, agriculture mechanics, and leadership development. The information in the guide is intended for use by…

This guide sets forth minimum approval criteria for service occupations cluster programs in Oregon. The information in the guide is intended for use by district-level curriculum planners, teachers, regional coordinators, or state education department staff involved with new program development or revisions of existing programs. The guide outlines…