Studied how school support-team systems have been developed and implemented across the United States. Responses from 43 state education agencies show that most states still do not have operating school-support systems in place, but those that do have varying outcomes based on a variety of program characteristics. (SLD)

Examined the extent to which schools that received Title I funds for schoolwide programs implemented the plans they developed when requesting funds. Results from 10 urban elementary schools show that schools implemented some plan components but did not generally implement instructional innovations included in the plans. (SLD)

Along with the restructuring of educational programs must come the restructuring of resources. Schools should review all resources, including the ones for teacher development, to focus on serving students optimally. Under the new Title I schoolwide programs of the Improving America's Schools Act, this is easier and more logical than before. (SLD)

Provides detailed examples of the components of Title I as recently revised and suggests alternative ways that the program's new flexibility can be used to enhance school reform. Revised Title I audit procedures are also designed to promote improved program performance and increased understanding of the law. (SLD)

Examines changes in the 1994 reauthorization of Title I that shift flexibility and accountability to local schools and explores implications of these changes for the 1999 reauthorization. Congress will need to determine whether the structure of the Improving America's Schools Act is adequate to bring about educational improvement for all students.…

Paraprofessionals have often acquired many skills that make them valuable contributors to the effectiveness of Title I programs. Career ladders supported with Title I and other funds are effective tools to help paraprofessionals increase their skills and become better teachers. (SLD)

Examines the nature and quality of some prominent evaluations of Title I over the last three decades. In the past decade, evaluation studies at national and local levels have indicated that a variety of local programs, especially comprehensive programs, provide convincing evidence of at least limited effectiveness of Title I. (SLD)

Describes the new directions, or paradigm shift, that schools must learn to deal with under the 1994 Improving America's Schools Act as subsumed under five headings: (1) standards; (2) focus on teaching and learning with an accelerated curriculum; (3) flexibility for local initiative; (4) links among schools, parents, and communities; and (5)…

What advocates have done in support of the policies fostered under Title I through its 30-year history must be reconsidered in order to influence policymakers. As advocates, educators must collaborate with their partners in the health and social service communities in pursuit of coherence and congruence of programs. (SLD)

A conceptual framework derived from previous research was used to evaluate successful compensatory programs for high-risk students. Program effectiveness standards, school culture, curriculum, and teaching were examined through site visits to three elementary and one middle school. (MMU)

Addresses the issue of Title I student assessment for at-risk students and the possible funding ramifications if Title I schools reduce the frequency and coverage of their assessments. It argues that continued Congressional funding of Title I programs will be difficult if sufficient assessments cannot reveal positive impact. (GR)

As educators work to pull together the various components of the Improving America's Schools Act, they must not lose sight of its central purpose, increasing children's learning. Guidance and assistance for low-achieving students must accompany a mind-set of higher expectations for achievement. (SLD)

Documents the longitudinal achievement growth of Chapter I students based on nationally representative data from the Prospects Study, which focuses on two- and three-year patterns of Chapter I participation for as many as 40,000 students in three grade cohorts. Overall, significant positive results generally were restricted to the more advantaged…

Examines research on schoolwide programs with the views of experienced practitioners in 21 highly regarded schoolwide projects under Chapter 1, to identify the principles guiding effective schoolwide programs. The framework that the most successful schools build on is described, and practices that future Title 1 schoolwide programs can adopt are…

Reviews what is known about the overall effectiveness of Title I programs and discusses how Title I can become a more effective intervention. Makes three policy recommendations for fostering better research and better programs, centering on accountability, continued research and development, and randomized experimental studies of promising…