This paper addresses the question of whether there is a clear destination for the Professional Development School (PDS) movement, examining whether perceived destinations are appropriate. The paper begins by outlining the commonly accepted four-part mission and the characteristics of PDSs; then it summarizes some of what is known about PDS…

This paper examines how the Texas charter-school law is being implemented, with particular attention paid to issues of equity and social justice. It focuses on the demographic composition of students and staff in Texas' charter schools, provisions for oversight and accountability, early indices of student performance, ongoing controversies,…

This paper explores what lessons we can learn from the experiences of states that instituted NCLB-like accountability systems prior to 2001 (here called first-generation accountability systems). We looked at the experiences of three smaller states (Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina), four larger ones (California, Florida, New York, Texas), and…

The North Carolina Pretest?Grade 3 is administered to all grade 3 students during the first three weeks of school. The pretest measures the knowledge and skills specified for grade 2 from the reading and mathematics goals and objectives of the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. The pretest is used in the determination of growth in student…

Up to six years of data (the current year and the five previous years where available) are presented in the District Composite Report. Each year, this report is updated by adding the most current year's data and deleting the data that are more than six years old. Incorporating longitudinal data in the District Composite Report enables policy…

Up to six years of data (the current year and the five previous years where available) are presented in the District Composite Report. Each year, this report is updated by adding the most current year's data and deleting the data that are more than six years old. Incorporating longitudinal data in the District Composite Report enables policy…

Up to six years of data (the current year and the five previous years where available) are presented in Louisiana's District Composite Report. Each year, this report is updated by adding the most current year?s data and deleting the data that are more than six years old. Incorporating longitudinal data in the District Composite Report enables…

Up to six years of data (the current year and the five previous years where available) are presented in Louisiana's District Composite Reports. Each year, this report is updated by adding the most current year?s data and deleting the data that are more than six years old. Incorporating longitudinal data in the District Composite Report enables…

Up to six years of data (the current year and the five previous years where available) are presented in Louisiana's District Composite Reports. Each year, this report is updated by adding the most current year?s data and deleting the data that are more than six years old. Incorporating longitudinal data in the District Composite Report enables…

What is the news on Florida's student performance since the passage of the A+ legislation? This brief presents a review of long-term data on five state and national indicators. It verifies outcomes and trends and examines the main premise of the A+ mandate that, given appropriate schooling, students will have equitable outcomes and access to…

The legal definition of Florida's public education system includes its local public schools, charter schools, voucher schools, and schools contracted to provide special education services. The constitutional mandate for a "uniform, efficient, safe, secure, and high-quality system of free public schools" suggests that the expectations of a high…

This report takes an in-depth look at Chicago Public Schools (CPS) teachers' responses to the high-stakes-testing initiatives and the impact on students' school experiences. It examines teachers and principals' assessments of the policy, tracks changes in instructional practice over time, and examines trends in critical student indices. The report…

The Ohio Board of Regents has prepared this document to provide detailed but easy to use information about higher education and the role that it plays in shaping Ohio's economy. The document tries to anticipate questions that might be asked of policymakers by their constituents. Information needed by policymakers to answer those questions, has…

This issue brief examines the knowledge and skills teachers need in order to teach in an environment of accountability and standards-based reform. The Education Policy Reform Research Institute (EPRRI) conducted a national symposium that resulted in the identification and validation of essential knowledge and key skills that all educators need to…

This issue brief presents the views of 13 individuals, all in special education leadership positions in selected urban school districts in the United States, concerning the opportunities and challenges their districts face in implementing key NCLBA requirements for students with disabilities. Results from a survey and two focus groups reveal that…