A practicum was developed to expand written vocabulary for third graders through training in using a data base and brainstorming strategies. Individual thesauri were written and published to demonstrate the results of collecting vocabulary and applying it to specific topics. Daily process writing became an integral part of the curriculum. Class…

In September 1990, The National Conference of State Legislatures surveyed legislatures in 49 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia to identify priority issues for the 1991 sessions. After a brief introduction, this document presents survey results in a separate section for each of the 18 topic areas that, together, encompass almost…

This comprehensive guide to identification of gifted and talented students in Indiana is intended to aid the 85% of Indiana school districts which provide programs for gifted students. A relative, rather than absolute, standard is proposed for identifying the top 5 to 7 percent of students. Giftedness in the areas of intellectual/academic…

Materials for a teacher workshop on assessing student needs for vocational English as a Second Language (VESL) are gathered. An annotated workshop outline presents the content and sequence of the workshop. Masters are provided for handouts and transparencies, which include an icebreaker activity, the workshop agenda, materials from the "Dictionary…

A review of literature on the use of wordless picture books to develop language skills is presented as background for the relatively brief description of a project in which wordless picture books were used with Latino children. The project is a collaborative one between Bloomsburg University, Kutztown University, and Thomas Ford Elementary School…

An assessment was made of the vocational/technical training needs of the four-county Middle Georgia area served by Middle Georgia Technical Institute. Information was obtained through surveys of area businesses and former students of the school, as well as demographic and economic studies. Some of the findings were the following: (1) the…

This curriculum presents career, academic, and life skill activities to assist education and training organizations in developing and delivering comprehensive career development and life skills programs. The guide helps individuals to develop self-awareness, discover career options, secure an understanding of occupational information, acquire…

An assessment of two pilot accelerated schools using the inquiry process model for the transformation of school culture and classroom practices in serving at-risk students is presented in this report. The inquiry process is a central feature of the accelerated school, a comprehensive school renewal initiative. The traditional approach to changing…

If schools are to respond effectively to the problems of youth at risk, they must build "reclaiming" environments that recover alienated youths by addressing both the students' needs and the needs of society. In the first of three sections, this document examines the alienation of children in a frequently inhospitable society. Destructive…

Emphasizing outcome-oriented planning and management, innovation, and flexibility, this document discusses the renewal needed in Missouri public education in the 1990s and offers suggestions for educational change. Four major recommendations are presented that include creating a performance-oriented system; increasing prevention efforts; providing…

Designed to assist state and district policymakers in developing a policy framework to encourage educational restructuring at all levels, this document begins by describing the need for restructuring and by discussing elements of the policymaker's role such as establishing a vision, reviewing existing policies, debating options, making policy…

This document provides curriculum planners with models of learner outcomes that can be incorporated into a science curriculum and science essential learner outcomes. The first chapter includes a list of educational system values and learner values, philosophy of education, the mission for public education, and learner goals that describe the…

To assess the impact of the North Carolina Career Development Plan (CDP) on student achievement, results of the California Achievement Tests, administered annually in North Carolina public schools, were analyzed. The focus was on the performance of children in grades 3, 6, and 8 in the school years from 1985-86 through 1988-89 in 16 CDP units.…

The organization, scope, and activities of the Indiana Occupational Competency Testing Center were expanded to accommodate the requirements of the new Occupational Specialist Certificate for secondary vocational teacher credentialling. A pilot project involved three regional sites in the state. The director of the host area site acted as area…

In June 1980, about 285 severely handicapped people had learned to become business application programmers as a result of the IBM Project to Train the Handicapped. The program consists of 17 different projects sponsored by vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies in 16 states. Designed to enable students to perform competitively as entry-level…