Resources in this section are divided into four subcategories: adolescent literacy; individual learning plans (ILPs); science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM); and smaller learning communities. The included resources do not address every aspect of instructional improvement, but offer valuable tools to help states begin to make progress in some areas they have identified as the most pressing.
Each of these subcategories includes documents from individual states that describe policies and practices that are currently at work, resources from CCSSO that highlight efforts from a variety of states, and materials from independent organizations that are doing work relevant to each issue area.
These self-assessment rubrics help educators identify the level of effectiveness of their literacy programs and plans and identify areas for improvement.
New Hampshire's Literary Action Plan for the 21st Century was designed to assist school and district leadership in implementing a comprehensive literacy program.
CCSSO’s online adolescent literacy toolkit, was designed for state officials to use with districts and schools to encourage and prepare high school teachers to integrate literacy best practices and instructional strategies into their discipline-specific instruction.
Vermont High School Task Force, charged by the State Board of Education and State Department of Education, recommends strategies for reforming secondary education to focus on individual student learning.
This presentation describes Kentucky’s Individual Learning Plan (ILP) online application and identifies the primary features used to create a sophisticated online system that will standardize the use of ILPs across districts and make them multidimensional tools.
School Redesign Network at Stanford University,
2006
This report provides a case study of redesign efforts in the Austin Independent School District, in partnership with the School Redesign Network at Stanford University.
The Colorado Association for Gifted and Talented Education,
2006
This white paper, written to inform Colorado decision makers in industry, government, and public education, suggests that gifted education principles and practices should be applied in order to increase student interest and achievement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
This document summarizes the recommendations of the Governor's Roundtable on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math to the Minnesota Department of Education on raising achievement in STEM subjects throughout the state.
This engaging and interactive Web site provides a variety of tools, resources, and information for both students and educators to raise awareness and participation in STEM education.
Supporting the education of all students is the primary goal of any state education agency. Those who work to transform instruction at the secondary level face unique challenges, especially during this time of increased focus on improving graduation rates, preparing students who are college- and work–ready in a global society, and redesigning the traditional, comprehensive high school.
