| First Request for Promising Practices: | September 30, 1998 |
| Next Request: | Ongoing 1999 |
| Dear State Director:
Since the 1980s and well into the 1990s, demands for improving the quality of education as defined by the academic performance of students have been at the forefront of state politics and policy. As we enter a new century and the third decade of sustained interest in improving the quality of education, it is important to understand the ways in which the state level has responded to pressures for change. While ultimately measured by the performance of students in the classroom, the increased interest in education has focused attention at the state level and on those administrators and officials responsible for implementing the wide ranging agenda that has emerged under the umbrella of education reform. The extent to which the ideas and policies that continue to emerge from national, state, and local influences are adopted in the classroom is seen by many as dependent on the capacity of those at the state level to sustain and support educational improvement. To begin to understand the demands on, the responses to, and the potential for improved administration at the state level, NCRVE is developing a technical assistance document aimed at state-level administrators called Taking Off! Sharing State-Level Accountability Strategies. This document is another component of our continuing effort to support state-level administrators with their work. We hope to describe a multitude of state-level approaches to developing standards, curriculum, assessment, and accountability systems all with the goal of improving student achievement. We would like to hear from you about one of your practices within your state. In particular, we are looking for practices that integrate academic and vocational education. For example, an overall accountability system that includes vocational education achievement in the system or an assessment system for vocational education that includes statewide academic standards. We have enclosed sample case studies as examples. Feel free to write your own case study and e-mail it to mrahn@publicworksinc.org, or fax to (626) 564-0657. Or, fill out the enclosed fax-back form about your practices. We will follow up by telephone to interview you. Thank you in advance for your time! Sincerely, Dr. Phyllis Hudecki Associate Director NCRVE | |
Fax Back from _____________________________________ (state name)
In your state, what promising practices are being implemented to improve student achievement? Practices can be aimed specifically at only vocational education or education in general.
| Please Check | Categories | Contact Person
| Setting Standards | Development of academic, vocational, and/or career | standards Crosswalks of academic and vocational standards | Technical assistance related to standards | Curriculum Strategies | Developmentof standards-driven curriculum frame- | works, course syllabi, and crosswalks Development of career pathways/majors | Development of standards-driven curriculum/projects | Assessment Systems | Assessment of vocational competencies | Assessment of work-readiness skills (i.e., SCANS) | Assessment of academic standards | Providing technical assistance to locals in the areas of | standards, curriculum and assessment System Supports | Incentives and consequences | State-level data systems | Assisting locals to use data for program improvement | Quality Assurance | Program certification/school and program quality | review Policy Linkages | Secondary/postsecondary | School-to-work | State joint development efforts | |
Fax to Dr. Mikala L. Rahn at (626) 564-0657 or call with questions at (626) 564-9890.