Inspired by his ability to teach algebra to low-income and mostly African American and Latino urban students--and have them outscore the state averages for high-income and Caucasian students on standardized tests--Kadhir "Raja" Rajagopal, the 2011 California Teacher of the Year, provides you with a model for teaching that unleashes the…

A Swedish educator observes accountability and performance contracts as he encountered them during a visit to Canada. (MM)

Several speakers debate the advantages and disadvantages of performance contracting. (AK)

A brief review of a Rand Corporation report prepared for the Department of Health, Education and Welfare on "The Performance Contracting Concept in Education." (AK)

Discusses Ohio University's use of a performance contracting consultant to assist them in hiring an energy services company that could implement an energy conservation project. Why the use of consultants can prove beneficial is highlighted. (GR)

This note claims that contracting in education can be employed for initiatives of varying sizes and across a range of services. For policy-makers, contracting represents an effective means of introducing accountability in the education system. Contracting can also insulate governments from some of the criticism leveled at privatization. Moreover,…

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of a contingency contracting program to eliminate nocturnal enuresis of three children ages 5 to 12. Methods: The program was implemented by the children's primary caregivers, two of whom were foster parents and the third a case worker in the foster care system. The program was a package…

During the spring of 2004, the State of Colorado enacted legislation that fundamentally changed the mechanisms through which it financed its public higher education system, beginning with the 2005-06 academic year. Rather than appropriating funds directly to institutions, the legislation created the College Opportunity Fund (COF), the principal…

This essay responds to Jane Danielewicz's and Peter Elbow's recent piece on contract grading in "College Composition and Communication" (December 2009). I discuss the similarities of their approach to my own contract process, finding that we share a quantitative/performative method for grading. I also explore our differences. While they guarantee…

This paper describes the science of managed change and how this technique can be applied to educational situations. It also points out current educational problems to which this science of change should be applied. The initial step of a managed change in a client system is the examination of the present state of affairs and an analysis of possible…

External reinforcers should not be used to the point of dependency with special education students who need to become more aware of their own internal controls. Student performance contracts are one way of developing this awareness. (CL)