This booklet challenges assumptions about the hopelessness of educational reform in urban high schools by presenting the stories of: (1) Theodore Sizer's Coalition of Essential Schools; and (2) Metro High School in Cedar Rapids (Iowa), a school that participates in the Coalition. Following an introduction, the Coalition of Essential Schools…

In April 1987, the Austin school board approved the current student assignment plan, which returned most elementary students to their neighborhood schools and created 16 predominantly minority schools with many students from low-income families. This report summarizes the outcomes of a 5-year plan, "A Plan for Educational Excellence," in…

This paper describes the distance education program at the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, which has been ongoing for 22 years: offers 325 courses to over 18,000 students annually; and offers three different degrees entirely by correspondence study. Issues and problems that concern the program are discussed, i.e., withdrawal rates, course…

A study examined the influence of participation in the Accelerated Schools Project on teachers' instructional behaviors, with a focus on teachers' instructional decision-making and their implementation of inquiry processes. The Accelerated Schools Project was designed to integrate high-risk students into the educational mainstream by the end of…

This paper presents the testimony concerning special education reform and inclusion programs of the Director of Education and Employment Issues before a House of Representatives subcommittee. The speaker concludes that inclusion programs can work (as in districts in California, Kentucky, New York, and Vermont) but take tremendous effort and…

This monograph presents an Opinion Survey intended for teachers, psychologists, and administrators of programs for students with emotional disabilities concerning educational outcomes and indicators. The rating scale is based on the conceptual model proposed by the National Center on Education Outcomes and asks for judgments on the feasibility and…

This study examined the impact of the PASS (Promoting Achievement in School through Sports) program on 59 high school students in 4 schools. The PASS program helps athletes to see the connections between athletic and academic success, and focuses on eight fundamental keys to success, including concentration, balance, relaxation, power, rhythm,…

This paper describes the characteristics of toddlers aged 12 to 30 months in relation to the qualities necessary for an effective early childhood program for such children. The first half of the paper discusses these qualities, which include: (1) respect for toddlers' budding autonomy; (2) attention to language development; (3) social interaction…

The 1992-93 annual report describes Utah's progress in implementing the Utah State Public Education Strategic Plan. The plan is designed to guide schools to improvement. It seeks to educate Utah citizens, give students learning and occupational skills, develop students, and offer schools flexibility in meeting goals. Part of the strategic plan is…

The Learning Enhancement for Adults with Disabilities (LEAD 2000) project was undertaken at Jones Learning Center of the University of the Ozarks to build a knowledge base regarding the literacy and learning needs of adults with learning disabilities (LDs) and to develop a pragmatic action plan to meet those needs. Information for the knowledge…

This paper discusses an effective model of systematic staff development focusing on prevention and intervention strategies used with at-risk students. The following are key elements: (1) matching of the purposes of training to the goals of the school districts; (2) multiple and integrated activities; (3) participants' thorough orientation to the…

"Success for All" is a compensatory education program based on prevention and early intervention that has proven successful in significantly increasing the reading performance of disadvantaged and at-risk primary grade students, as well as reducing retentions and special education placements. The program directs all aspects of school and…

Many of the first-wave reform initiatives of the 1980s have been successfully implemented on a widespread basis and are having an important influence on the schooling process. The reform movement was expected to fail because of strong financial, political, and organizational arguments. Reform initiatives were said to be insufficiently funded,…

The Interdependent Support Service Model, a 3 year project operated by the Hennepin Technical Center (Minneapolis, Minnesota) was designed to evaluate and program for communication and motor needs of severely/profoundly handicapped students and to develop related inservice training for staff. First year activities included modifying existing…

The demand for long term care is growing as the population in need of services becomes older and frailer, and as the nature of the family, the economy, and the health care system changes. To investigate the long term care system, its characteristics, trends, financing, policies, availability, and quality of care, 700 health care professionals,…