Resources

Center Briefs

CA CC Summary of State Strategies for Districts in Improvement
The American Institutes for Research (AIR), as a partner in the California Comprehensive Center at WestEd, conducted interviews with 16 selected state education agencies (SEA) to determine what supports and interventions states have developed for districts identified for improvement under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB). This brief paper summarizes the different approaches that the states have taken to support districts in improvement.

Research Summary Supporting the Nine Essential Program Components And Academic Program Survey
The nine Essential Program Components (EPCs), as measured on the Academic Program Survey (APS), are designed to support the improvement of student academic performance in reading/language arts and mathematics. The nine components have been identified in numerous research studies as key factors for school improvement and for the functioning of schools that are “beating the odds” by demonstrating success with challenging student populations. The American Institutes for Research (AIR), as a partner in the California Comprehensive Center at WestEd, created a summary of both school reform and practitioner-based research supporting the EPCs.

Data-Driven Decision Making Based on Curriculum-Embedded Assessment: Findings from Recent California Studies
A large amount of national research supports the concept of using data driven decision making to improve student achievement. This brief produced by the American Institutes for Research (AIR), as a partner in the California Comprehensive Center (CA CC) at WestEd, summarizes key findings about the use of data driven decision making, including the effective use of assessment data, the role of administrators, the role of teachers, and the role of parents and students, as detailed in three recent California studies.

Useful Links

Includes other websites that will help with NCLB implementation.

Comprehensive Centers Program
This program awards discretionary grants to establish comprehensive technical assistance centers to help low-performing schools and districts close achievement gaps and meet the goals of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.

Regional Comprehensive Centers

Content Comprehensive Centers

No Child Left Behind - ED.gov
The U.S. Department of Education's web site provides information about the No Child Left Behind legislation including an overview, an A-Z index, and information on stronger accountability, more local freedom, proven methods, and choices for parents. This site also includes specific tabs for students, parents, teachers, and administrators.

Regional Educational Laboratory Program
The Regional Educational Laboratory Program consists of a network of ten laboratories that serve the educational needs of a designated region by providing access to high quality scientifically valid education research through applied research and development projects, studies, and other related technical assistance activities.

The Center for the Future of Teaching and Learning
The Center is a public, not-for-profit organization, founded on the belief that the knowledge and skills of teachers are key to improved student achievement. The strategic purpose of the Center is to strengthen the continuing development of California’s teacher force in order to provide a rigorous and balanced curriculum for all students, thereby ensuring every child’s continued intellectual, ethical and social development.

The Center's Web site features recent information on teacher development including research, state and national policy and legislative initiatives, and models for effective practice.

U.S. Department of Education (ED)
ED was created in 1980 by combining offices from several federal agencies. Its original directive remains its mission today — to ensure equal access to education and to promote educational excellence throughout the nation.

The web site offers a range and an ever-growing collection of information about the department, including initiatives and priorities, grant opportunities, offices, publications, and research and statistics.

What Works Clearinghouse
The What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) is a project of the U.S. Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences, established to provide educators, policymakers, and the public with a central and independent source of scientific evidence of what works in education.

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Forums and Mailing Lists

SchoolsMovingUp

A WestEd initiative that helps schools and districts address the immense challenge of raising student achievement in low-performing schools. In an interactive Web format, SchoolsMovingUp offers practitioners knowledge and expertise they need to make sound decisions and take tangible action in their school reform efforts.

Get access to online events, archives, tools, comments, discussions and more! Registration is free and requires no obligation. Your name and email will not be provided to any third parties.