This mixed-method study explored the alignment of expected student learning outcomes (SLOs) and expected student entrance skills, as stated within "course outlines of record" (CORs), for basic skills courses in one California community college district. Researchers evaluated consistencies and discrepancies in course alignment. There were…

The Fresno-Long Beach Learning Partnership is a collaboration that aims to improve student outcomes, accelerate achievement for all students, and close achievement gaps by capitalizing on shared systemic capacity-building across two high-need districts. The Partnership is a joint effort of the third- and fourth-largest districts in California to…

This report presents the outcomes of the analysis of Grade Level of Achievement (GLA) data at the provincial level to inform the program planning and evaluation needs of Alberta Education as well as school and central office based administrators. GLA data reported to Alberta Education is a teacher's judgment of a student's academic progress. GLA…

Study in language, literature, and culture has long been a defining feature of education in the liberal arts. Speaking, reading, and writing have traditionally stood at the heart of education because the arts of language and the tools of literacy are key qualifications for full participation in social, political, economic, and cultural life. Today…

The Alberta Initiative for School Improvement (AISI) is a bold approach to improving student learning by encouraging teachers, parents, and the community to work collaboratively to introduce innovative projects that address local needs. Initiated in 1999 by the Alberta Government and its partners, AISI provides targeted funding to school…

Procedures for establishing school goals and objectives, after having completed the needs assessment, are discussed. A distinction is drawn between goals and objectives in that goals are general future targets, whereas learner outcome objectives are behavioral statements of all or some aspect of goal statement. Five steps in setting goals and…

This Guide is intended to share the insights of SEDL's National Partnership for Quality Afterschool Learning (the National Partnership) as well as information about both the academic and the organizational and management practices that successful afterschool programs use. The authors have organized these practices into the following four focus…

Conventional achievement tests rank students in relation to each other. New assessment tests reflect what schools are trying to teach and how they are succeeding for representative geographic, age, racial, and socioeconomic groups. (Editor) Aspect of National Assessment (NAEP) dealt with in this document: Program Description.

A procedure for determining the degree to which student performance is meeting expected or desired levels is discussed. Five steps in conducting a needs assessment are listed: (1) a student body profile, relating data already available to the six system-wide goals, is provided for each school; (2) using the student body profile, brainstorming…

Describes the contract principle applied to planning students'"four-year itinerary in the world of ideas." (Editor)

Describes efforts by the Michigan State Board of Education to implement a Six Step Accountability Model as a method for developing goals for public education. (RK)

Describing and defining bilingual-bicultural education, this brief publication is written to encourage the development of Canada Native Bilingual-Bicultural education programs. Specifically, this publication addresses the following: language needs of native peoples; bilingualism defined (functioning in 2 languages); biculturalism defined…

Schools can be marked by intense isolation among teachers, between teachers and administrators, and between parents and teachers. This research brief presents information about successful organizations and schools, where everyone understands and agrees on common goals. A clear vision, expressed through specific goals and high expectations, guides…

Article describes the use of accountability schemes and their effect on the educational system. (RK)

Models for planned changes in schools are presented in this document and are aimed at increasing student achievement and satisfaction. Following a brief introduction which highlights a challenge for effective change and some suggested procedures for implementing the models, each model is presented in detail. The four models are: (1) The School…