Today, efforts are underway across the country to transform teacher evaluation into a useful tool for improving teaching and learning. These efforts are supported by state statutes as well as by improvements in state and local data systems and the development of new student assessments. In 2015, the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ)…

Comprehensive teacher evaluation systems are a core element of current state and local strategies to support improved teaching and learning in elementary and secondary education in the United States. The Study of Emerging Teacher Evaluation Systems provides descriptive information on the design and early implementation of teacher evaluation…

A key strategy of the Kentucky Department of Education's and Council on Postsecondary Education's College and Career Readiness Delivery plan is to provide opportunities for high school students to earn college credit. Districts across Kentucky are implementing dual credit programs, but there is little sharing of information about the…

The 21st century learner resides in an advanced global society that is led by the waves of the economy, advances in the technological world, concern around our safety and security, as well as demographical changes (Carver & Markatos-Soriano, 2007). The trends suggest education needs to equip students with the attitudes that promote respect for…

Given the current economic constraints facing the country, school districts in the U.S. have been pushed to develop annual budgets through a new lens and to accept the reality that budget adoption is a complex, political process. Whether a school district is rich or poor, growing or declining in enrollment, serving a specialized population or…

This guide is designed to help districts and schools evaluate reform efforts related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), including School Improvement Grants. It includes practical, how-to tips for conducting program evaluations, whether one takes a "do-it-yourself" approach or seeks outside assistance to evaluate reform…

This handbook has been designed to assist personnel within the Chicago Public Schools to assess the operation of their government funded programs, make certain that these programs are being implemented in accordance with the design as funded, and that they are in compliance with appropriate legislation and guidelines. The handbook establishes a…

This booklet for pupil personnel services (PPS) professionals describes five selected exemplary PPS district programs in Illinois (Bloomington District 87, Dundee Community Unit School District 300, Lake Park Community School District 108, Lyons Township High School District 204, and Warren Township High School District 121) as well as the…

Part 1 of this report outlines the concept of vouchers and the nature and objectives of the New Rochelle study. The more pertinent work tasks undertaken to accomplish the objectives are contained in the appendix. The authors describe their position regarding the voucher plan, highlight its major elements, and outline the steps the district should…

Presents a typology of partnerships (service, exchange, cooperative, systemic/transformative) based on a philosophical analysis of trust relationships. An analysis of two major partnership projects in Virginia (the Manassas Park Educational Partnership and the Urban Alternative project at George Mason University) suggests rules and procedural…

This guide presents Federal requirements for statements of the desired outcomes of compensatory education programs. Local education authorities (LEAs) must state their goals for improving the educational opportunities of educationally deprived children so that they will succeed in the regular educational program of the LEA, attain grade-level…

This booklet is a guide to assist school districts in administering Chapter 1 projects funded through the 1988 Elementary and Secondary School Improvement amendments and focuses on areas of flexibility in Chapter 1 funding. An overview of Chapter 1 flexibility emphasizes that the legislation is designed to best meet the special educational needs…

This paper analyzes design alternatives for Federal elementary and secondary education programs. It identifies the range of program strategies available and analyzes their strengths and weaknesses. The proper design for any program depends upon the following factors: (1) goals; (2) the availability of Federal funding to pay for necessary services…

The annual evaluation of a Texas regional resource center is presented. The center provides training and technical assistance for school district personnel participating in programs for limited English proficient (LEP) students. Federally funded and housed in the Southwest Educational Development Laboratory, it serves 800 school districts with a…

Ten essays address aspects of second language instruction at the elementary school level: "Elementary School Foreign Languages: Perspectives, Practices, and Promises" (Carol Ann Pesola, Helena Anderson Curtain); "The Integrated Curriculum: Rethinking the Elementary School Foreign Language Program for the '90s" (Virginia…