Emerging Strategies for System Supports
Alabama: The A+ Foundation and Coalition for Better Education, Engaging Public Support
Two organizations in Alabama, the A+ Foundation and the A+ Coalition for Better Education have formed to support education reform in Alabama. According to its Web site (http://www.aplusala.org),
"Education reform is difficult even with legislative support, substantial state
funding, effective communication, and strong business ties in place. Constant
work and attention is required to affect education reform to broaden the scope
of offerings and utilize effective, 
innovative approaches in preparing students to compete in an ever-changing society."
The Foundation combines research and hands-on support in its efforts to improve education and also has formed several task forces. The Educational Leadership Task Force created the "Coalition for Innovation: A Network for Effective School Administrators," which includes approximately 17 school systems committed to continuous improvement. The Teaching and Student Achievement, Business-Education Partnerships, and the Education Research task forces also support various aspects of education reform. The second organization, the A+ Coalition for Better Education, describes itself as a grassroots, citizen-based advocacy organization dedicated to education reform in Alabama. The A+ Coalition was established seven years ago and has grown to "a base of thousands of members across the state who champion education reform."
Oregon:
Seeds of Change, A Public Information Campaign
An effort to inform Oregonians about the changes occurring in the state's
education system is called "Seeds of Change: The Oregon Schools Initiative."
Launched in the summer of 1998, the state's legislature allocated $1,000,000 to
help Oregonians understand the new expectations for students embedded in
state-adopted standards and a new 
assessment system that is currently being phased in statewide. Professional services have been donated by an advertising
firm in Portland to produce radio and television advertisements and handbooks
for parents, teachers, and administrators. Materials have been distributed in
English and in Spanish, and the Department of Education is also reaching out to
those speaking other languages so that all residents will be engaged in the
school improvement process. One example from a flyer sets the tone for the
initiative: "The new standards are definitely a different way of doing things,
and excellence can be challenging. As parents, teachers, and concerned members
of the community, we all need to be involved, but we all will be rewarded. Our
smart, well-rounded students will be sought after by colleges and employers.
They will be good citizens and exemplary leaders. Most important of all, we
will have prepared our children, to the best of our ability, for life in the
21st century."
Rhode
Island: Information Works -- Accountability Goes Public
Information
Works, Rhode Island's recently released report card and information system on
school accountability in the state provides the 
public with a wealth of information. Information Works is a volume containing school-by-school profiles of standardized test scores, student and staff attendance, graduation rates, and student discipline.
In addition, Information Works has been posted on a web site for greater public
access (http://infoworks.ride.uri.edu). Information Works is the result of a
partnership between the Rhode Island Department of Education and the National
Center on Public Education and Social Policy (NCPE) at the University of Rhode
Island. NCPE administers annual surveys to parents, teachers, students, and
administrators in all public schools in Rhode Island and helps the Department
of Education produce the data and analysis on various school and district
indicators which are used in the Information Works school profiles. NCPE also
develops and maintains the Information Works web site under contract to the
Department of Education.
