While research has generated abundant insight into effective professional learning methods, the field continues to suffer from a lack of systemic approaches. In response, a group of national professional learning leaders recently developed a framework that links proven professional learning methods to the strategic priorities of higher education…

Data reveals that significant opportunity and achievement gaps persist between Wisconsin's students of color and white students, native and nonnative English-speaking students, and students with and without disabilities. In 2010, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction identified Response to Intervention (RtI) as a way to begin to address…

Across the country, districts are choosing to #GoOpen and transitioning to the use of openly licensed educational resources to improve student learning in their schools. Openly licensed educational resources enable districts to reallocate significant funds currently spent on inflexible, static learning materials to resources and activities that…

This case study of one comprehensive university's economic-development engagement in its region was designed to better understand perceptions and actions by higher education leaders and economic development professionals. Findings indicated that one regional comprehensive university was an effective economic development partner because its leaders…

This chapter presents the state of Wisconsin and the University of Wisconsin System as an ongoing case study for best practices in systematic, intentional, statewide programming and initiatives connecting undergraduate research and economic development.

This self-assessment tool was developed for those who wish to embark on state-wide governmental systems change to improve high school transition and employment outcomes for youth and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Its purpose is to aid in the development of a work plan that is based on a review of the state…

According to an American Association of School Administrators survey, 6 percent of school districts closed or consolidated schools during the 2008-2009 school year, double the rate of the previous year. Another 11 percent are considering school closings or consolidations in 2010-2011. In the 1980's, declining enrollments were the main reason for…

Policymakers and educators are increasingly expressing concerns that the U.S. is lagging behind other countries in educating the next generation of mathematicians and scientists. In response, the federal government, private foundations, and many "institutions of higher education" (IHEs) are encouraging STEM (science, technology,…

This paper discusses how the planning, programming, budgeting, and evaluating systems (PPBES) can be individually designed to help local school districts meet their financial needs. Each segment of the system is individually described along with actual implementation. The paper concludes that adoption of such systems can enhance educational…

Assessment is a worthwhile undertaking when meaningful data are generated, evidence-based improvement initiatives are thoroughly considered and discussed, and results are ultimately used to improve educational effectiveness. National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) results are oriented toward such practical use. Each year, more campuses use…

This document describes efforts to develop a planning-programing-budgeting system in a Kenosha, Wisconsin, school district of medium size. The PPBS is to be implemented in two phases: (1) an experimental program-oriented budget for the 1970-1971 school year, and (2) a 5-year plan to reevaluate and develop a program structure and program goals for…

A consortium of four Wisconsin school districts has decided to stop tinkering with the educational system and apply W. Edward Deming's 14 management points to total system improvement. The rewritten precepts involve creating and adopting a fitting purpose, infusing quality into the educational "product," and working toward zero defects…

To determine if the Convergence Planning Technique, designed to identify research components and organize them in a logical manner on a matrix for analysis, could be applied to vocational education problems in Wisconsin, questionnaires composed of problems identified through literature reviews and interviews were distributed to vocational,…

The research project described in this paper was conducted for three purposes: (1) to identify the program evaluation needs of secondary vocational educators in Wisconsin; (2) to identify those components of the state's previous evaluation system that educators wanted to keep; and (3) to develop a conceptual framework for revising Wisconsin's…

This curriculum guide was developed to assist teachers (K-12) in developing comprehensive industrial education programs, establish individual courses, or plan instruction integrated with other academic areas. This booklet's content is presented in eight sections. The first, an introduction for teachers, explains the purpose of the guide. The next…