After more than 20 years of a critical shortage in special education teachers, this mid-Atlantic state expedited program development for undergraduate-level teacher preparation programs. To meet the accelerated timeline, one program at a large public university used its graduate-level coursework as a model for the undergraduate level program.…

Few concepts are more noted in the leadership effects research than vision. It is a cardinal element in the school improvement equation as well. Yet, it remains one of the least well-specified components of that algorithm. Based on a comprehensive review of the research on effective leadership and school improvement from 1995 to 2012, we bring…

The United States of America has seen a decline in the number of individuals pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics or STEM. With an understanding that in order to stay competitive in the global economy, the United States must enhance its pipeline towards STEM disciplines. Schools must find a way to motivate and…

As of January 1, 2013, 34 states and the District of Columbia have been granted waivers from certain provisions of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Part of each successful flexibility application was a state accountability system that could identify priority schools (the lowest performing 5% of Title 1 schools) and focus schools…

A professional learning plan is the navigation system for the comprehensive professional learning system. Professional learning plans establish short- and long-term guidance for professional learning and its implementation. This workbook offers information and tools to walk educators through seven planning steps--from data analysis, to setting…

Geary Rummler developed a powerful methodology to design organizations that sustainably deliver desired performance. And he was always interested in further developing his ideas. This article uses a specific project to illustrate how Rummler's work can be used to create a complete organization and explores where future methodological developments…

Under the direction of the Superintendent of Schools, a comprehensive needs assessment of Hawaii's public school system was conducted from September 1998 through February 1999. This final report contains the findings of the needs assessment, together with integrative conclusions that report the major findings in a way that will provide the…

Offers schools, state, and regional authorities a list of suggested priorities for environmental education programs. Recommends that adoption and/or adaptation of the itemized priorities can assist schools in the design, development, and implementation of each school's own particular program and policy. (ML)

The papers presented in this paper accompany a core report about the Appalachian Math Science Partnership (AMSP) entitled "The Appalachian Math Science Partnership: A Multi-State Umbrella Partnership Promoting Local Mathematics and Science Reform Report." Each of them focuses on an especially effective strategy or component of the AMSP…

This paper speaks to the need for a methodology for planning indirect services of a mental health nature in schools. For indirect services to be relevant, plans for intervention need to be based on: (1) comprehensive information about the school; (2) systematic procedures for estimating the relative salience of various problems identified in the…

The Guidance and Counseling Task Force of the California State Department of Education was charged with the task of studying the pupil personnel services available to students in California schools and of developing a plan for improving and extending those services where needed. This document is the result of more than a year of study and direct…

The Hawaii Project on Children and Youth At-Risk represents a long-term effort to strengthen the individual school's capacity to meet the special needs of students at-risk. According to the project's definition, a student is at-risk if he/she has consistently failed to make satisfactory school progress, if that failure could be positively…

The National Commission on Excellence in Teacher Education was appointed in 1983 to describe the present state of teacher education, identify problem issues, and make recommendations for the improvement of teacher education. The final report of the Commission, "A Call for Change in Teacher Education," was based on information gathered at…

Examines development and implementation of Britain's National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) initiative, particularly the needs-assessment process, from an assessment center manager's perspective. Despite the pace, changing context, and inadequate resources, this initiative has ensured that principals will have more systematic…

The East Oak Cliff Subdistrict in Dallas has sought to improve its educational program through a commitment to making the pluralistic setting of the urban school an asset. The major goals of the district are to create a school and community climate which affirms education and multicultural experiences; to implement a more effective delivery system…