To explicate the factors behind standards implementation, the results of a project to develop and pilot test a process that bridges the gap between setting standards and improving student achievement is presented. The text focuses on the Implementing Academic Standards (IAS) program, which was designed to develop and pilot-test a process for…

This publication focuses on the major issues and requirements that schools need to consider in developing an effective schoolwide assessment program. It is the first in a series on assessment by the New Zealand Council for Educational Research. The primary purpose in developing an effective schoolwide assessment program must be to improve…

In 1988, the State Legislature created the New Mexico Cooperative Program to develop and expand cooperative education (co-op) programs. The Commission on Higher Education (CHE) was designated to help institutions establish and expand programs and collect information. For reporting purposes, CHE required that, in order to be considered co-op, work…

The Adult Career Counseling Center (ACCC) at Oakland University provides career exploration and planning opportunities to community adults at no cost; trains faculty, staff, and students in the use of computer-assisted career guidance programs; and supports research efforts for a better understanding of career development resources. Clients…

General guidance is offered in the planning and implementation of community-based strategies for the prevention of tobacco use among youth. Ideas and data are organized by means of the Prevention Enhancement Protocols System (PEPS), which is a systematic process for evaluating prevention research and practice evidence, assessing the strength of…

A substantial knowledge base exists on reduction of tobacco use by youth. Effective prevention in this area can have major health and economic benefits. Information from research and prevention practice, organized by means of the Prevention Enhancement Protocols System (PEPS), is provided in the form of guidelines and recommendations for planning…

In response to public concern, the Utah Comprehensive Guidance Program Model was developed with guidance as a full-fledged education program. Adoption of the model in middle/junior high schools and high schools, and the relationship of training in the model and state funding are discussed in the "Introduction." The situation prior to…

The Phonics Demonstration Project was developed through the Ohio Department of Education as a means for introducing systematic, direct phonics instruction in the primary grades. Twenty-one Ohio school districts participated in the program. Initial year evaluation of the project focused on whether systematic, intensive phonics instruction was being…

In 1997 the North Carolina legislature passed the Safe Schools law, which sets forth definite responsibilities for the State Board of Education, local boards of education, and individual schools. In response to this mandate, suggestions that should help local boards and local education agencies in developing their local plans and in providing…

This report describes the plans of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) to convert their talking books service to a digitally based audio system. The NLS program selects and produces full-length books and magazines in braille and on recorded disc and cassettes and distributes them to a cooperating network of…

The state of Illinois is encouraging schools to better inspect and evaluate the causes of their pest infestation problems through use of the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) guidelines developed by the Illinois Department of Public Health. This guide reviews the philosophy and organization of an IPM program for structural pests in schools,…

This paper describes a death education curriculum designed for and field-tested on verbally expressive adults with mental retardation. The Communicating About Loss and Mourning (CALM) curriculum was presented to an experimental group in 8 sessions each lasting 50 minutes. Lectures and group discussions were used to convey information about death…

This practicum report describes the implementation and evaluation of a substance abuse prevention curriculum in a Florida preschool. It was expected that, as a result of the implementation of the curriculum, children would improve in their ability to identify drugs; would increase their self-esteem; and would improve their peer relations. It was…

This annual report on gifted education programs in Arkansas outlines the status of recommendations made in prior reports and urges action on new recommendations, such as acquiring additional staff positions and ensuring that enrollment in gifted programs reflects the ethnic and economic makeup of the total school population. Appendices contain:…

Before implementing its Outcome Based Education process, Pasco (Washington) progressed through three readiness stages paralleling the steps for good time management. Following a teacher strike, stage I involved taking care of essentials, such as rebuilding the relationship with teachers, cleaning up the grounds, and rewriting the district policy…