Investigates collective nature of commercially prepared language development materials, identifying features describing language use in communicative events. Profiles collective nature of language development materials. Presents survey of practicing bilingual educators' perceptions of language use. Discusses findings, conclusions, and implications…

Proposes that objective-referenced tests replace norm-referenced tests as a vehicle for program evaluation. Describes a methodology, based on latent trait theory, for joining norm-referenced and objective-referenced testing in a customized testing program. (TE)

The purpose of this research study was to illustrate the ways in which out-of-level testing policies have changed over the three years from 2000-2001 to 2003-2004. In 2000-2001, 12 states were using out-of-level tests to measure student progress toward content standard proficiency. A detailed research study conducted at the end of 2000-2001 to…

Confused about how to start on your journey as an educator? This ultimate guide to getting hired and staying inspired is a must-purchase for any beginning elementary school teacher. Donna M. Donoghue and her coauthors have done the legwork for you and provide great tips, strategies, and tactics for getting your foot in the door and beginning a…

In this guide, transition is defined as the period of time when adolescents are moving into adulthood. This guide is designed to (a) help youth and the adults who work with them understand the role of assessment in transition and (b) describe ways to collect and use data that will lead to informed choices based on accurate assessment of each…

Longitudinal studies such as LSAY (Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth) give a clear picture of what young people are up to at any point in time and of the pathways they took to get there. The capacity to follow the same young people over time means that factors influencing their pathways and outcomes can be identified, and changes in the…

Over the past few decades, the economic prospects for workers possessing relatively few skills have worsened as the demand for skills in the labor market has increased. Even in jobs that might be categorized as low-skilled, workers require a diverse set of skills to succeed. Many of these skills can only be obtained through schooling or job…

This document sets forth standards of good practice for the employment of professional staff. These guidelines serve as a blueprint for the appropriate treatment of professional staff based on the principle that recognition and equity must be coupled with job security and professional treatment. This publication is divided into two sections: (1)…

Charter schools are expected to be innovative and to look different than traditional public schools. There is evidence that charter school administrators are taking advantage of opportunities to be innovative in their hiring practices and that teachers in charter schools look different than their colleagues in traditional public schools. It is not…

This paper explores reading for pleasure, its importance, and its impact on literacy attainment and other outcomes and reviews much of the research on the importance of reading for pleasure. A debate has been rife in the UK over the past few years as to how best to teach children to read, which culminated in an "Independent Review of the…

This volume was created around the premise that America's schools face a crisis in leadership. For America to have the great schools it needs, schools and their school systems must have great leaders. After a foreword by Chester E. Finn, Jr. and an introduction by Eli Broad, the book is divided into three parts. The first part presents a manifesto…

This student interest survey was conducted in Spring 2003 by Glendale Community College North (GCCN), Arizona. The purpose of the survey was to determine student preference for courses, course times and frequencies, and for other college student services they might need and want. In addition, an attempt was made to uncover any enrollment obstacles…

Rapid demographic changes and an increasing recognition of the critical need for professionals who are proficient in languages other than English have led to an interest in developing language programs and classes for "heritage language learners" students who are raised in a home where a non-English language is spoken and who speak or at…

This report presents data on Tennessee's teaching workforce. There has been a recent increase in the percentage of new, inexperienced teachers hired in Tennessee. While there was no change in teacher turnover in recent years, the loss of new teachers became more serious throughout the 1990s. Lack of teacher and administrator diversity remained a…

This analysis focuses on school offerings and practices that limit or increase the course work taken by particular groups of students. The National Commission on Excellence in Education has recommended minimal requirements for high school graduation consisting of 4 years of English, 3 years of mathematics, science, and social studies, and one-half…