Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) has captured the attention of state policymakers who are concerned about equitable access to high-quality educational experiences and preparing and inspiring students to pursue STEM careers. Yet in many states, STEM policymaking efforts have not achieved their intended return on investment…

Physical education is critical to addressing childhood obesity, yet many school-based programs do not meet established quality standards and teachers are called upon to change. Little is known about how change is initiated and its associated internal and external factors. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate physical education…

This document is intended to help teachers understand and create Student Learning Objectives (SLOs). This resource is a practical guide intended to provide clarity to a complex but worthwhile task. This resource may also be used by administrators for professional learning. As Utah moves toward providing a "Model for Measuring Educator…

A school's academic performance can be bolstered through instituting modest programs that don't require drastic institutional changes. Describes some simple program changes that were effective in a Utah middle school.(MD)

As a result of an evaluation of Title IV programs commissioned by the Utah State Office of Education, this manual addresses the needs of government agencies in providing technical assistance, such as proposal and report preparation or budget management, to local education agencies. Emphasis falls on the funding of technical assistance services,…

This paper presents ideas for creating, replicating, and improving the quality of business-school partnerships. Information is derived from an in-depth case study of the Adopt-A-School program in Memphis, Tennessee, and related data collected from Chicago, New York, Salt Lake City, and Boston. An introduction analyzes negative and positive…

This publication describes Utah's Handicapped Child Data Project, an interagency effort to share information among agencies dealing with developmentally disabled persons and establish a central registry. Five action steps in such a venture are noted, including identifying potential sources of information on state and individual levels, decreasing…

Although each of the partner schools which were developed during the 10-year partnership between Brigham Young University and 5 Utah school districts is unique, the partner schools share 4 common components: preservice education, inservice development, curriculum development, and research and evaluation. (IAH)

This state master plan provides a structure to facilitate the development of an appropriate and effective education system for all students in Utah, including those at risk of dropping out and of failing to achieve literacy. The challenges of ensuring an appropriate and effective education for each student are significant, numerous, and complex;…

The Park City School District (Utah) career ladder design provides a system in which teachers are positioned and paid according to successful performance and differentiation of responsibilities. It includes an evaluation system to differentiate among teachers. The career ladder design presents a number of innovations; for example, excellent…

These transition guidelines are designed to give Utah school districts direction in planning transition programs for Utah students at risk and/or students with disabilities. The guidelines present best practices in planning to assist these special needs students from school to life in their communities. The five-step process includes planning,…

The Wasatch Institute for Research and Evaluation (WIRE) evaluated the Economic Education in Utah Schools program to aid future implementations of the program curriculum materials. This evaluation includes: (1) responses to an evaluation survey of participants at a Utah State Economics Curriculum Conference at Brian Head, August 12-15, 1986; (2)…

When the State of Utah implemented a comprehensive guidance program, it began with a state-sponsored training of school guidance teams. Successfully identifying and displacing non-guidance activities (NGAs) in the comprehensive guidance program was a complicated process and was dependent upon communication and building positive relationships with…

Based on findings of previous research, this project developed, implemented, and examined the effect of instructional materials and procedures designed to eliminate the influence on test scores of the following four factors: (1) differential levels of test-taking skills on the part of students; (2) student's lack of familiarity with and consequent…

Fourteen appendices are gathered in this companion volume to a report summarizing the second year of a 3-year evaluation project focusing on three Utah programs funded under Title IV of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The appendices all relate to one of the three programs, Title IV-Part C (IV-C), which allocates funds for the adoption…