http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/ A search of MERLOT materials Copyright 1997-2013 MERLOT. All rights reserved. Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:30:02 PDT Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:30:02 PDT http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/images/merlot.gif http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/ 44 34 http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=255386 The National Center for Research on Cultural Diversity and Second Language Learning site includes publications and reports such as Educational Practice Reports, Research Reports, School Reform & Student Diversity Papers, and a Report on Educating All Our Students.  These publications are research-based studies of effective practices for assisting English Language Learners to achieve school success. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=606642 This Doctoral Dissertation was written under the guidance and collaboration of Dr. Moustapha Diack. The study was conducted using data obtained from Louisiana Virtual School and East Baton Rouge Schools. The participants in the study were students that previously failed the Algebra I course. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=255912 Action Research gives teachers the skills needed to work on problems specific to their classrooms and their schools. By using an actual research procedure, researching teachers can resolve their own teaching challenges. They learn how to ask a focusing question, define terms, collect relevant data, use an analysis process that rules out bias, and includes methods that yield validity and reliability. The findings become immediately applicable to their individual situations. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=259943 In this essay, Elmore sets forth a novel vision for school leadership that would not reside with individuals, but would instead be distributed among various branches that are fully accountable not only to one another and to teachers, but also to the marketplace – in this case, parents and students. He begins by describing the notion of "loose-coupling," in which the core of education – what and how students are actually learning – resides in isolated individual classrooms. Teachers have a great deal of discretion in what and how they teach, and are intentionally buffered by the system from outside intrusions—leaving administrators, superintendents, and policymakers out of touch, performing tasks designed mainly to increase public confidence in the system: organizing, budgeting, managing, and "dealing with disruptions." http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=262261 The California Charter Schools Act of 1992 covered a wide range of issues, yet it was brief and nonspecific. Since the first California charter school opened in 1993, policymakers have continued to add and fine-tune their policy direction. This update focuses on current policy issues, which concern charter school facilities, financial impacts, and governance. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=255916 Action research can inform teachers about their practice and empower them to take leadership roles in their local teaching contexts. Mills (2003) provides the following definition of action research: Action research is any systematic inquiry conducted by teacher researchers to gather information about the ways that their particular school operates, how they teach, and how well their students learn. The information is gathered with the goals of gaining insight, developing reflective practice, effecting positive changes in the school environment and on educational practices in general, and improving student outcomes. (p. 4) Action research is conducted by teachers and for teachers. It is small scale, contextualized, localized, and aimed at discovering, developing, or monitoring changes to practice (Wallace, 2000). The defining features of action research also reflect the qualities of leaders in collaborative cultures of change. These qualities include a deep understanding of the organization, vision and insight, a quest for new knowledge, a desire for improved performance, self-reflective activity, and a willingness to effect change (Fullan, 2000a, 2000b). This Digest discusses a framework for conducting action research and describes an action research study carried out in an elementary school Spanish program. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=263390 Schools can play a key role in guiding early preparation for postsecondary education through fostering academic preparation and achievement, supporting parent involvement, providing college and career planning information, and helping students through the many steps in postsecondary planning. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=259026 The NASSP report approaches the problem of adolescent literacy at the school level. It calls for a greater focus on reading skills at the middle and high school levels, but acknowledges that many schools do not have the "trained staff, resources, and fiscal support to ensure supplemental and supportive literacy programs." In order to fully implement a successful adolescent literacy program at the secondary school level, the report identifies several key elements that must be in place, including committed and supportive school leaders, ongoing research-based professional development, and highly effective teachers in every content area who can provide explicit instruction to improve comprehension. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=361885 From UIPUIs 2008 Assessment Institute conference and only available until 10/2009.This ppt offers seven research-based guidelines for learning centered (and faculty-directed) assessment and demonstrates simple, practical applications at classroom and course levels. Related examples, references, and materials for follow up are provided. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=314787 The mission of the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team is to help California's local educational agencies fulfill their financial and management responsibilities by providing fiscal advice, management assistance, training and other related school business services. The team has established this web site and a free electronic bulletin board system to provide information and resources (including state budget development software) that will assist all public school agencies statewide.