In March 2008, teachers and leaders of the mathematics programs grades 6-12 in the Clark County School District (Las Vegas, Nevada) found themselves under the urgent spotlight of failed expectations. District leaders and teachers had been bold enough to create highstakes, districtwide common assessment semester exams in five subject areas of…

This Information Capsule answers the most frequently asked questions about M-DCPS' academic performance during the 2008-09 school year. M-DCPS earned a performance grade of "B" in 2009 and was only four points short of an "A." Over half of the District's schools (58 percent) earned an "A" and the percent of…

This article provides an overview of the approach, methodology, and key findings from a theory-based evaluation of the district-led instructional reform effort in San Diego City Schools, under the leadership of Alan Bersin and Anthony Alvarado, that began in 1998. Beginning with an analysis of the achievement trends in San Diego relative to other…

In looking for examples of districts that were making gains both in assuring teacher quality and in reducing gaps in student achievement, researchers continually came to Clark County, Nevada and Hamilton County, Tennessee. While the road to reform and the specific steps each district took were different, they shared a fundamental element--in both…

The efficacy of desegregation is questioned. Examples from St. Louis show how desegregation prepares minorities for the underclass. The following proposals are made: (1) assess desegregation's impact; (2) abandon the city-county programs; (3) appoint masters for nonintegrated schools; (4) restructure the city district; and (5) establish a summer…

Miami Dade County Public Schools serves an international community with the highest poverty rate of any large U.S. city as well as the highest percentage of immigrants calling it "home" of any large city throughout the world. This article examines: (a) how Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS), the fifth largest school district in…

To evaluate the adequacy and efficiency of preschool education, the RAND Corporation has undertaken the California Preschool Study to improve understanding of achievement gaps in the early elementary grades, the adequacy of preschool education currently given, and what efficiencies or additional resources might be brought to bear in early care and…

This document reports the status of accomplishment of the objectives of the Dade County (Florida) Public School system for fiscal year 1986-87. It is organized by 12 bureaus/offices representing the district organization during the 1986-87 school year. The district's comprehensive plan is developed annually through a systematic district-wide…

At the request of the Superintendent of the Montgomery County, Maryland, Public School System (MCPS), Achieve conducted an evaluation of the MCPS K-12 Curriculum Frameworks and high school semester exams in English and mathematics. The review was designed to determine how well the MCPS Frameworks and exams align with Maryland state academic…

This case study examines the history and current circumstances of education in Rockcastle County (Kentucky) in the context of its participation in the Appalachian Rural Systemic Initiative (ARSI), which aims to improve science and mathematics achievement through systemic reform. Background is presented on the county's history, demography, and…

This case study examines the history and current circumstances of education in Cocke County (Tennessee) in the context of its participation in the Appalachian Rural Systemic Initiative (ARSI), which aims to improve science and mathematics achievement through systemic reform. Sections of this report describe the county's history, demography, and…

The Dade County (Florida) Public Schools contracted with Strategy Research, Incorporated, to conduct a telephone survey of 400 Dade County registered voters. Focus was on determining the extent of support for a bond issue/tax increase to provide funds for the building and renovation of schools. Survey findings indicated that respondents: (1)…

The project was designed to familiarize students, teachers, administrators, parents, board members, and others with the concept of career awareness through personal involvement. Emphasis was placed on the various aspects of assessment, planning, implementation, and continuation of the Awareness Program within the existing curriculum in each school…

This case study examines the history and current circumstances of education in East Feliciana Parish (Louisiana) in the context of its participation in the Delta Rural Systemic Initiative (RSI), which aims to improve science and mathematics achievement through systemic reform. This report describes the parish's history, demography, and economic…

Vocational education, first offered in America's public high schools in the early 1900s, has evolved over the last century, responding to different times, falling under different names, and assuming different forms. Career and Technology Education (CTE) today encompasses not just technical preparation for a specific field, but also the strong…