Since September 1995, the Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico-Rural Systemic Initiative (UCAN-RSI) has promoted systemic reform to improve science, technology, and mathematics education for all rural students in its states. Initially, UCAN targeted 159,000 students in over 430 rural, primarily American Indian or Hispanic, communities. These…

This publication presents Montgomery County, Maryland's plan for empowering the educational community by organizing the necessary resources, knowledge, and skills to fulfill the promise of success for every student. The four main goals are: to ensure success for every student; to provide an effective instructional program; to strengthen productive…

This action research project sought to increase motivation in fifth-grade social studies students. Observations and measures of student attitudes and achievement indicated a lack of student interest in learning activities. Two categories of intervention were implemented: (1) instruction in the use of learning strategies, including graphic…

This report outlines a comprehensive research agenda for Indian education from the Native perspective. It resulted from a meeting held in Albuquerque, New Mexico in April 2000, planned by a national steering committee of Indian education researchers, administrators, and association executives. The introduction describes four traits of research in…

Mexican immigrant youth lag behind other immigrant groups in educational completion and achievement, but many resilient Mexican immigrant youth have overcome tough odds to succeed. This digest examines the research about resiliency and some promising programs for Mexican American youth. Resiliency theory identifies protective factors present in…

This paper discusses attempts made by the author to reinvigorate the College Honors Program at Union County College in New Jersey (UCC). Created in 1985 to offer an enriched learning experience for exceptional liberal arts students, the Honors Program helps students develop their thinking skills and achieve academic success. However, due to…

As part of a larger study of systemic educational reform in rural Alaska, this case study examines reform efforts underway in New Stuyahok, a community of 440 people in southwestern Alaska. The population is almost entirely Yup'ik Eskimo. The K-12 school enrolls about 150 students. In 1992, Alaska Onward to Excellence (AOTE) established district…

A case study focused on teachers' professional networks and how these influence the students' acquisition of literacy skills, particularly writing, at the International High School in New York City, which serves approximately 450 international students with minimal language skills. Observations were taken from three teachers as well as from…

In 1999 Michigan implemented the Michigan Merit Award program, a program to motivate high school students to take their studies more seriously. The program offers 1-year college scholarships to students who meet or exceed state standards on Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) tests in reading, mathematics, science, and writing. This…

This report discusses a proposed research project to study the integration of video technology to reinforce the National Science Education Standards in Advanced Placement (AP) classes in low socio-economic schools in Indiana. The report begins with overviews of AP in Indiana, the National Science Education Standards, and research relevant to the…

This policy paper provides information about issues surrounding the education of culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) student populations, noting that preparing non-English speakers to survive in English-dominant schools and society is more complex than current policy debates would suggest. The paper stresses the need for teachers who can…

This book analyzes key cultural strengths of African American families, arguing that they provide a solid foundation upon which to develop the kind of public policies and self-help initiatives that will genuinely promote the interests of African Americans and diverse peoples nationwide. Nine chapters include (1) "Solutions Framework"…

This book portrays what works in creating better educational opportunities and effective school reform for Hispanic Americans, offering a reflection on the bicultural experience of minority groups in U.S. schools and showing how and why educational reforms must seek to build upon rather than downplay the native culture and language of minority…

This report presents a 25-year plan to raise academic achievement levels and to create a seamless system of lifelong learning in postsecondary schools in the state of Washington. A focus is placed on access in terms of learning, individual enrichment and economic advancement for the people of Washington State. Factors such as increased enrollment,…

The courses U.S. high school students select, differences in course offerings across different types of schools, and course-taking patterns by race, gender, and socioeconomic status were studied. In general, the study found that public, secular private, and Catholic schools were more similar than different in their course offerings. Most striking…