This publication supports revision of the certification and standards for Missouri Vocational Directors. Section I discusses the need for revising the current State Board of Education approved certification requirements. Section II sets forth the relationship between proposed revisions and their application by institutions involved in preparing…

The progress states have made toward fulfilling their requirements under Title I of the Improving America's Schools Act is reported. Some states are reporting that they have developed content standards for some subjects, but not for others. In some states, both local school district and state standards are being developed. In all, 43 states had…

A project was conducted to continue to provide adult educators in Pennsylvania with information about adults with learning differences and techniques for their instruction. Five new training sessions were developed as part of the project: (1) accommodating adults with learning disabilities; (2) if they think differently, shouldn't they study…

The Thomas B. Fordham Foundation has commissioned studies of state academic standards in five core subjects. This is the second of these studies, focusing on standards for history. After the controversy surrounding the proposed "national history standards" in 1994, history has become a subject with no generally accepted national standards.…

The Thomas B. Fordham Foundation has commissioned studies of state academic standards in five core subjects. This is the fifth of these studies, focusing on state standards for science. Thirty-six states presented standards for evaluation. Some states were in the process of revising standards, while others simply had no standards to present.…

This reports that health care providers, including those based in schools, can be instrumental in efforts to enroll eligible children in Medicaid or low-cost health insurance. There are 10 ways in which health care providers can help: (1) inform families about the availability of free and low-cost health insurance for children; (2) enlist all…

This paper describes approaches that states have taken to systemic reform in adult education programs, approaches driven by the demand for accountability and high-quality services from legislation and other sources. It begins by defining systemic change and presenting a framework for understanding it. The document presents approaches in four areas…

First-year outcomes of a restructuring project in four Maryland middle schools are summarized in this paper, with a focus on new rules, roles, and relationships. Methodology involved interviews with 52 teachers and building administrators and 18 state department of education staff members; observation of school improvement teams; and document…

Guidelines for North Carolina public schools that are interested in developing and submitting plans for outcome-based education (OBE) pilot programs for the years 1993-94 and 1996-97 are offered in this document. The OBE program is based on the premise that all students can learn and focuses on the expectations for achievement necessary for…

Findings of a study that examined the effects of a statewide mentoring program for Illinois principals are presented in this paper, with a focus on the reasons for principals' behavior changes. Methodology involved interviews with six pairs of mentors and proteges, site observations, and artifact collection. Conclusions are that: (1) principals…

Guidelines for implementing and operating a school breakfast program in New York are provided in this document. Following an introduction that explains the need for school breakfast programs, sections describe program history, meal pattern requirements, eligible participants, and available state and local financial assistance. Program requirements…

The performance and goals of the Colorado education system are evaluated in this report, with a focus using progress indicators to establish baseline levels of performance. Colorado 2000's six goals are based on the National Education Goals established in 1989, and are described under the following headings: (1) "Readiness"; (2)…

This policy brief explores the charter-school concept, looking specifically at: (1) the development of the charter-school idea; (2) current models of charter schools; (3) issues regarding the development of charter schools, such as district reluctance, teacher concerns, organized opposition, fiscal issues, and admission policies; and (4) progress…

The progress being made in Utah toward the six national education goals, as established by the nation's governors and the Bush Administration, is described in this report. Individual sections address the state's progress toward each of the six national goals and feature: (1) performance and status information; and (2) examples of current and…

This publication provides a comprehensive view of kindergarten through community-college education in Iowa. It describes input indicators (which are somewhat fixed by outside constraints), process indicators (over which school districts have some control), and outcome indicators (which result from planned district programs). Information for…