The first step in an improvement effort involves reflection and goal setting. By focusing inward and identifying needs, a person or a school can make great changes. This article discusses how a writing center can be a locus for change within a school. Most high school writing centers start because a few English teachers share a passion for…

In 1993, at Wright State University (WSU), the College of Science and Mathematics (COSM), and the College of Education and Human Services (CEHS) began hiring faculty with joint appointments in both COSM and CEHS. That began the process of reforming the undergraduate education of preservice elementary teachers. Then, when the state called for a…

This study examined the process of organizational learning in a small secondary school in a company town during a protracted period of turbulence, arising from the downsizing of the community's main employer. The hypothesis was that distributed leadership among school staff created a change in teaching practices from a limited repertoire of…

With a new governor in Albany and a brand-new interagency group working on early childhood policy in the Mayor's office, early childhood advocates across the city were already pondering what changes might be afoot--and whether the time had come for the city to move toward a more integrated, high-quality system of early care and education. Given…

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to describe how, from 2004-2006, a New Zealand research team experimented with the "change laboratory" learning process to create a new method of government policy development and implementation, referred to as "practice-making". The apple industry in Hawke's Bay was chosen because of the…

This article explains the apparent failure to communicate between science education researchers, policy makers, and staff at state and district offices of education. Each group is a stakeholder in K-12 education. Policy makers specify courses of action to meet the needs of an educational system, state and district staff work to implement these…

This volume contains 25 papers describing large curriculum revitalization projects from 1986 through 1991 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the University of Minnesota, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The papers are: "A Theoretical Context for Designing Curricula in the Agricultural and Life Sciences" (Robert G. Kranz,…

This report of a 1990-1995 Arizona project describes progress in providing educational services for students with severe disabilities in integrated school and community settings. Information is provided on supporting school districts through: statewide training opportunities; school-based technical assistance; an interagency project advisory…

This guide explains the philosophy of "learner-centered schools." The term holds a variety of meanings for educators, such as the use of learning centers for a theme, topic, or subject area, alternative assessments in which students are evaluated in innovative ways, or continuous progress models with integrated thematic instruction and…

This report details progress in providing education in the least restrictive environment to students with disabilities, based on hearings held by the National Council on Disabilities. Examples of successful inclusion education programs at the early childhood, elementary, and secondary levels are described. Strategies for promoting inclusive…

This report discusses the emergence of a new geopolitical reality, that of countries in transition. Although the expression usually refers to former Communist countries, a closer analysis shows that transition is, in fact, a universal historical phenomenon. As used here, countries in transition must evidence the following factors: (1) the…

Canadian business is changing. Competition is stiffer, markets are shifting. The workforce is also changing. Flexibility in when, where, and how work gets done is key to attracting the employees organizations need to gain a competitive edge. Many companies, organizations, and unions are recognizing the interdependence of work life and family life.…

Designed to provide comprehensive, research-based coverage of classroom issues, this book is a synthesis of the research base on classroom management and discipline. Factors for establishing an effective classroom management system are presented, and specific actions are offered to restore order if misbehavior occurs. The content is applicable for…

This document is a handbook for helping children develop self-esteem through encouraging creative behavior in after school day care. The handbook is meant to be a resource for after school day care providers. Each chapter is structured to describe a creative behavior concept or strategy, explain how and why it works, and when it can best be…

This report presents findings of a case study of the education of second language learners in a middle school of approximately 2,000 students undergoing middle school reform in California. The purpose of the study was to gain an understanding of the challenges faced by a school experiencing rapid demographic changes in a predominantly…