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TITLE Community Update: Goals 2000. 1996-97. INSTITUTION Department of Education, Washington, DC. PUB DATE 97 NOTE 73p.; For the 1995-96 issues (n23-33), see ED 393 405. PUB TYPE Collected Works Serials (022) JOURNAL CIT Community Update; n34-45 1996-97

EDRS PRICE MF01/PC03 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS Community Development; Educational Finance; *Educational Improvement; *Educational Objectives; Elementary Secondary Education; *Family Involvement; Futures (of Society); Learning Activities; *Meetings; National Programs; Newsletters; Partnerships in Education IDENTIFIERS *Goals 2000; National Education Goals 1990

ABSTRACT This document consists of the 11 issues of the newsletter, "Community Update," which were published between April 1996 and March 1997. The newsletter provides information to help schools and communities reach the National Education Goals. Each issue contains announcements of monthly satellite town meetings, topics to be discussed in upcoming town meetings, developments and issues related to Goals 2000, and news of state and local planning for Goals 2000. Also included in this series of issues are updates on Family Involvement Partnership for Learning, reports of other types of partnerships in education, and discussion on budgets and educational standards. (AEF)

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No. 34, April 1996 U.S. Department of Teachers and the Public Agree on Education Priorities Education Teachers and the general public are in broad out of five teachers and 73 percent of the public felt agreement about how to improve our that overall academic achievement would improve nation's public schools, according to a recent substantially if persistent troublemakers were study by the Public Agenda Foundation. On removed from class. Eighty-four percent of teach- questions such as what are the essential elements ers and 76 percent of the public believed that of a curriculum and how can we help students to permanently removing students caught with drugs learn to their full potential, teachers and the or weapons would also improve academic achieve- general public share many views. The findings ment. are part of the report entitled Given the Circum- When teachers as a group were asked to rate the stances: Teachers Talk About Public Education performance of our nation's public schools, they Today, which focused on teachers but also drew believed that given the tough circumstances of When asked what from past research on the views of the public, schools and communities with inadequate resources is the most parents, and community leadership. and family and social pressures, public schools are important thing An overwhelming majority of teachers (98 performing well. In fact, more than three-fourths of public schools percent) and the general public (92 percent) teachers believed their local public schools outper- need to help believe it is "absolutely essential" for schools to form private schools. In such key areas as better teach basic reading, writing, and math skills. preparation for college, higher academic standards, students learn, Ninety-three percent of teachers and 88 percent and sounder teaching methods, teachers said that "involved of the public also want schools to emphasize public schools did a better job. Respondents felt parents" received such habits as "being on time, responsible, and that private schools do excel in the areas of smaller the top response disciplined." class size and order and discipline. from teachers. The report found a strong consensus on how When asked what is the most important thing learning goals for students should be met. Four public schools need to help students learn, "in- out of five teachers and 82 percent of the public volved parents" received the top response from supported setting up very clear guidelines on teachers. Four out of five teachers said their public what students should learn and teachers should schools are not getting enough money to do a good teach in every major subject. Eighty-three job, and 58 percent of the public shared this view. percent of teachers and 88 percent of the public Sixty-five percent of teachers and 50 percent of the felt that students should not be allowed to public thought classes are too crowded. graduate from high school unless they clearly The broad consensus reported by the study on oo demonstrate they can speak and write English education priorities and strategies to improve public well. schools forms a basis for productive dialogue 0 Order and discipline was found to be another between teachers and parents, according to Deborah shared concern of teachers and the general Wadsworth, Executive Director of Public Agenda. public. A clear majority of teachers (81 percent) "Most Americans place teachers and parents at the very top of the list of those they trust to make sound decisions about schools," she wrote in the afterword to the study. said that the worst-behaved students absorb the To purchase the full Given the Circumstances most attention in today's schools, thereby report, call Public Agenda, at (212) 686-6610.p Fla undermining learning for other students. Four 7 April Town MeetingGovernors and Business , Discusses PreparingLeaders Convene for College Education Summit he April Satellite Town Meeting will offer ast month, the nation's governors and Tpractical advice to students and their business leaders held an education families on taking the tough courses necessary summit in Palisades, New York, to discuss to prepare for college and on financing a col- actions that will accelerate school improve- lege education through savings strategies, ment in communities nationwide. Discus- scholarship sources, and state and federal loans. sions focused on how to develop and imple- Entitled "Preparing for College, Academically ment high academic standards for students, and Financially" the hour-long Town Meeting how to hold students and others accountable will air on Tuesday, April 16 at 8:30 p.m. to those standards, and how technology can Eastern Time. The program is closed-captioned be expanded as a powerful tool to improve and is simulcast in Spanish. teaching and learning. The summit was co- U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley hosted by Louis Gerstner, Jr., Chairman and and Deputy Secretary Madeleine Kunin will CEO of IBM; Wisconsin Governor Tommy welcome a panel of guests from around the Thompson, Chairman of both the National country who can share how planning ahead for Governors' Association (NGA) and the higher learning can help students succeed at Education Commission of the States; and both two-year and four-year institutions. Dis- Nevada Governor Bob Miller, Vice Chairman cussion topics will include what skills students of the NGA. need to stay in college once admitted, what President Clinton, who led the nation's financial aid is available for families who need governors at the 1989 summit to establish the extra help in paying for a student's college National Education Goals, was a keynote education, and what kinds of partnerships speaker at the summit. U.S. Secretary of between schools, businesses, and other commu- Education Richard Riley was among the nity organizations help ensure that all students other participants, who included local educa- have access to higher education. tors, state legislators, and chief state school The Department of Education produces the officers. Summit participants hoped that Satellite Town Meeting series in partnership their work will stimulate other discussions with the National Alliance of Business and the and activities on standards, accountability, Center for Workforce Preparation with support and technology. FE from the Bayer Foundation, The Procter and Gamble Fund, Microsoft, Inc., and SC Johnson Wax. Satellite coordinates are as follows.... Richard J. Deasy has been appointed C-Band: Galaxy 6, Orbital Location 74 Director of the Goals 2000 Arts Educa- degrees West; Transponder 2; Vertical Polarity; tion Partnership. In this new role, Deasy will Channel 2; Downlink Frequency 3740 MHz; lead a coalition of more than 110 arts, educa- Audio Subcarriers 6.2 MHz (Spanish) and 6.8 tion and business organizations, and founda- MHz (English). tions committed to improving arts education Ku-Band: SBS-6, Orbital Location 74 as part of comprehensive reform through degrees West; Transponder 17; Horizontal local and state use of Goals 2000 funds. Polarity; Channel 17; Downlink Frequency Deasy, a former teacher and journalist, has 12120.0 MHz; Audio Subcarriers 6.2 MHz worked for two state departments of educa- (Spanish) and 6.8 MHz (English). tion and directed another broad coalition of To participate in the Satellite Town Meeting, national and international organizations. contact your local Public Broadcasting System Sara Goldhawk has been hired to support the (PBS) member station, Chamber of Commerce, Director in the work of the partnership, or Johnson Controls branch office and ask if bringing her strong experience as a visual your group can use the facility as a downlink artist and staff member at Very Special Arts site. Other possible sites are local schools, and the American Forum for Global Educa- public libraries, community colleges, cable tion. You can contact the Goals 2000 Arts television stations, universities and technical Education Partnership c/o the Council of schools, government offices, hospitals, busi- Chief State School Officers, One Massachu- nesses, hotels, or even private residences with setts Ave., Suite 700, Washington, D.C., satellite dishes. Call 1-800-USA-LEARN for 20001-1431. The phone number is (202) further information or to register your participa- 326-8683. El tion. Family Special Insert on Family Involvement Involvement Partnership for Learning

Family Involvement Partnership Reaches Out to Students

Student leaders met recently in Baltimore to learn more about the Family Involvement Partnership. rr he national Family Involvement Partner- "During this time of budget cuts," a student ". ship for Learning has launched a major from Virginia remarked, "everyone in the effort to reach out to students to get more in- community needs to get involved to make sure volved in their own learning and also play an that we all get an education that will allow us active role in bringing together families and to be successful and to have a good future. As community members to participate in their members of our student councils, we have a education. responsibility to make sure that teachers, Last month, leaders from student councils and parents, businesses, and community leaders get honor societies of public and private schools in involved to make a difference in our educa- Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West tion." Virginia, Virginia and the District of Columbia Workshops on student involvement in educa- assembled in Baltimore to learn more about the tion are planned for the National Association of Family Involvement Partnership. Students Student Council area conferences next month explored how they can act as the link between in Chicago and Denver, and at the upcoming their teachers and schools and their families and national conference in Florida. For more communities. In addition students discussed information on the READ*WRITE*NOW! how they could become involved in mentoring program or other ways the Education Depart- for younger children, tutoring their peers, and ment helps students, families, businesses, becoming reading partners in programs such as communities, religious organizations and READ*WRITE*NOW!, the nationwide reading higher education groups get involved in learn- and writing initiative sponsored by the U.S. ing, call 1-800-USA-LEARN. Department of Education. 4 Kiwanis Club Creates PTA Offers Family Innovative Reading Involvement Resources Partnership ne of the key supporters of theFamily Involvement Partnership for Learning is the The Capitol Hill Kiwanis Club in the 0 National PTA. The National PTA offers a wide District of Columbia developed a variety of for-sale materials and resources on dynamic reading program for children in the family involvement in children's learning. For a neighborhood Boys and Girls Club, enlisting complete listing, request The National PTA the support of local partners to make the Catalog by calling (312) 549-3253.Information program a success. The Capitol Hill Club about the cost for materials can be obtained received the top award for the best new directly from the National PTA. Here's a sample service project initiated by a Kiwanis club of available materials: with 75 or more members in their region, which includes Delaware, Maryland, Vir- The Busy Parent's Guide to Involvement in ginia, and the District of Columbia. Education. Thisinformative booklet describes steps busy parents can take to get involved The reading program focuses on five- and with their local PTA and their child's learning six-year-olds who lack the necessary skills to activities. succeed in reading when they enter first Making Parent-Teacher Conferences Work for grade. The club organized a committee to Your Student. This guideaddresses parents' create a highly structured, fun-filled curricu- concerns about what to expect from ameeting lum of language learning, utilizing the with their child's teacher, questions to ask, and talents of reading specialists, librarians, how to follow up on conferences with an educators, a Boy Scout executive, a business action plan. Also available in Spanish. owner, and a graphic artist. The curriculum relies heavily on materials provided by the Parents Plus: A Comprehensive Program for U.S. Department of Education's Parent Involvement. Thismanual provides READ*WRITE*NOW! program. instruction on planning and developing parent/ family involvement workshops and programs. More than 200 Kiwanis volunteers partici- PTA Parenting Guide: Programs and Re- pated in weekly reading sessions with chil- sources Kit.This guide explains how parent dren during the summer. Reading Is Funda- involvement helps students reach their full mental contributed books, and a local dentist potential in learning. and children's book reviewer are now adding to the supply. A local Safeway supermarket Our Children Magazine. PTA'saward- has provided materials for one activity to winning publication includes articles on parenting, family involvement, health and teach the alphabet. safety and much more. To order Our Chil- Due to the reading program's success, it dren Magazine, write the National PTA, 135 has now been expanded to include elemen- S. LaSalle Street, Dept 1927, Chicago, Illinois, tary school children during the schoolyearlifi 60674-1927.1E

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: A CU Public Charter Schools Create New Options, Town Meeting Audience Learns IWO 10 4. The March Satellite Town Meeting looked at communities' growing interest in public charter schools, a concept that is offering more choices in public education to students and their 1 families. Public charter schools are created and managed by parents, teachers, and community leaders and operate under a contract or charter from a local school board, a state board of educa- i tion, or a public university. In exchange for increased flexibility, public charter schools are held accountable for reaching high standards of achievement and discipline. sponsor other than the local school board either Twenty-one states have passed laws permitting (from left to right) U.S. an appeal to the state board of education or Secretary of Education public charter schools, the Town Meeting audience perhaps a postsecondary organization. And third, Richard Riley, Jonathan heard, and more than 250 such schools across the we need to be able to have a large enough number Williams, Le Ann Frazer, country are in operation during this school year. of charter schools." Senator Ember Minnesota was the first state to pass a charter Panelist Jonathan Williams, the director of the Reichgott Junge, Rex school law, and leaders from two innovative public Brown, and Deputy Accelerated Charter School in Los Angeles, Secretary Madeleine charter schools joined the program in a live uplink explained how parents played a key role in the Kunin participated in from PBS member station KTCA in St. Paul. development of his public charter school. "We the March Satellite Milo Cutter, director of the City Academy in St. went out to community centers and churches, and Town Meeting. Paul, explained some of the challenges experi- we made presentations to parents and welcomed enced by charter schools. "Learning new roles them to dialogue with us as to what is the ideal would be a major one. This is asking teachers to type of school that you would like to have." take on roles of accountability that we haven't Involving the community as partners was experienced before. Searching out funding would another common theme to the experience of public be another. Many charter schools operate at a charter schools. Panelist Rex Brown, director of deficit compared to other public schools. And the P.S. One School in Denver, Colorado, told always creating while it's exciting, it's also how his school's innovative curriculum draws draining." from the community. "Our kids use the Denver John Schultz, Team Facilitator at the New Center for the Performing Arts as their theater and Country School in the rural community of Le the new Denver Public Library is our library. The Sueur, Minnesota, emphasized why charter schools Colorado History Museum is our history depart- are a powerful tool of school improvement. "You ment, and we have a wonderful relationship with have to always be trying to do better. You can't the art museum." say we're at a point now where we're done creat- Deputy Secretary Madeleine Kunin emphasized ing. That's not what these schools are about. It's that while public charter schools are a relatively about constantly doing better." new idea, they carry great potential to create new Education Secretary Richard Riley related how a educational opportunities for students and their school board member in Minneapolis told him that families. "Our experience with charter schools is charter schools have been a source of good ideas very new, but it's very promising," she said. to apply throughout the district. "That's a very The Education Department has several publica- important feature of charter schools how they tions available on charter schools and other can impact change in other schools," Riley said. innovative ways to improve learning in existing Guest panelists in Washington, D.C., included public schools. "A Look at Charter Schools" State Senator Ember Reichgott Junge who repre- features ten examples of charter schools across the sents New Hope, Minnesota and helped write the country. With it is a sheet listing contacts at the nation's first charter school law. When caller Education Department and in each state for more Frank Brogan, the Florida Commissioner of information about charter schools. "10 Tips for Education, asked what elements were important Expanding Public School Choice" suggests for his state's pending charter school law, Senator actions that families, community groups, educa- Junge offered this advice: "The first thing is that a tors, school boards, and states can take to improve charter school needs to be autonomous and have learning opportunities for children. To order these control over its budget, staffing, and curriculum. publications, call I- 800 USA LEARN. zi The second is that there needs to be more than one 6 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION POSTAGE AND FEES PAID U.S. DEPARTMENT OF WASHINGTON, D.C. 20202-0498 EDUCATION, Permit NO. 0.17 OFFICIAL BUSINESS PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE $300 FIRST CLASS

115134 *MsRquisitlarts Secretary 030* Hunt oi neton Ha i.1 Syracuse -University, NY 43244

Education Budget Debate Continues inCongress Although six months have now passed tional interest." The House-passedbillfor since the normal October 1 budget 1996 continues to propose deep cuts in educa- deadline, Congress has not yet reached a tion funding. final decision on the 1996 education budget. The President has submitted his 1997 budget As this edition went to press, the Senate had request for education on schedule, even passed abillwith a strong bipartisan vote of though final action has not taken place on the 84-16, restoring most of the education cuts 1996 appropriation. The chart below com- in 1996 funding that had been proposed pares the funding levels for major education earlier and moving closer to President programs in the 1995 appropriation, theHouse Clinton's 1996 recommendations. Educationand Senate bills for 1996, and the President's Secretary Richard Riley praised the Senate's request for the 1997 budget, as this edition "bipartisan support for education that helps went to press. ra local schools and is so clearly in our na- Funding for the Basics of Better Education: Senate and House Bills Compared to the President's 1997 Budget (in thousandsof dollars)

- -

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Raise Standards of Achievement: Goals 2000 350,000 491,000 II -. - Improve Basic Skills: Title I 6,833,887 7,165,000 - IP .6- Safe and Drug-Free Schools 400,000 540,000

Bring Computers into Classrooms 35,000 325,000

I . Gifted and Talented Education 3,000 10,000 Help Youth Move from School to Careers 186,000 200,000

- Expand Public School Choice: CharterSchools] 16,000 40,000 Est v+etre-r

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No. 35, May 1996 U.S. Department of President Clinton Delivers Message of "High Standards Education and High Accountability" Editor's Note: President Clinton was the keynote speaker at the education summit convened by the nation's governors and business leaders that was held in March in Palisades, New York. Education Secretary Richard Riley also participated in the summit. The summit was co-hosted by Louis Gerstner, Jr., Chairman and CEO of IBM; Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson, Chairman of both the National Governors' Association (NGA) and the Education Commission of the States; and Nevada Governor Bob Miller, Vice Chairman of the NGA. The following are excerpts from remarks by President Clinton, Governor Thompson, Governor Miller, and Mr. Gerstner. ur country still has an attitude problem they're going to have to learn really difficult, ...l believe the 0about education that I think we should challenging things, to assess whether they're most important resolve... and that is that too many people in the learning or not, and to hold them accountable as thing you can do United States think that the primary determinant well as to reward them. ...I believe that if you want the standards move- is to have high of success and learning is either IQ or family circumstances instead of effort. ...So one of the ment to work, first you have to do the hard work in expectations for things that I hope you will say is in a positive deciding what it is you expect children to learn. students... way that you believe all kids can learn, and in a But then you have to have an assessment system, President Clinton stronger way that you believe that effort is more however you design it, in your own best judgment important than IQ or income given the right at the state level, that says, no more social promo- kind of educational opportunities, the right kind tions, no more free passes. If you want people to of expectations. learn, learning has to mean something....I don't ...We can only do better with tougher standards believe you can succeed unless you are prepared to and better assessment, and you (state leaders) have an assessment system with consequences. should set the standards. I believe that is abso- ...The worst thing you can do is send people all lutely right. And that will be the lasting legacy the way through school with a diploma they can't of this conference. I also believe, along with Mr. read. And you're not being unfair to people if you Gerstner and the others who are here, that it's give them more than one chance, and if at the same very important not only for businesses to speak time you improve the teaching and the operation of out for reform, but for business leaders to be the schools in which they are. knowledgeable enough to know what reform to ...I believe every state, if you're going to have speak out for, and what to emphasize, and how to meaningful standards, must require a test for hammer home the case for higher standards, as children to move, let's say, from elementary to well as how to help local school districts change middle school, or from middle school to high some of the things that they are now doing so school, or to have a full-meaning high school that they have a reasonable chance at meeting diploma. these standards. ...The governors have to lead the way, the busi- ness community has to stay involved. ...We have to have high standards and high accountability. If you can achieve that, you have given a great gift to the ...I believe the most important thing you can do future of this country. is to have high expectations for students to President Bill Clinton make them believe they can learn, to tell them Town Meeting Will Explore How Reading ...Standards are the building blocks for b&ter and bolder schools in each of our states and and Writing are communities. Standards drive excellence, Central to Learning whether it be in business, athletics or education. We will not be able to improve our schools unless we first raise the bar of achievement through The May Satellite Town Meeting will look at rigorous academic standards, as well as develop how families, schools, and communities can an effective means by which to assess our stu- promote excellence in reading and writing. dents and our schools. ...Our goal is to leave here Entitled "Ideas for Improving Reading and with a commitment by each of the governors to Writing" the hour-long Town Meeting will air on return to their states and set high standards for Tuesday, May 21 at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The their schools within two years. program will be closed-captioned and will be simulcast in Spanish. Governor Tommy Thompson U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley and ...We all know that a strong and growing Deputy Secretary Madeleine Kunin will welcome economy depends on an educated workforce, and educators and local leaders from around the that without a strong and growing economy, the country who have developed innovative programs social and political fabric of America to strengthen reading and writing skills, emphasiz- our stability as a nation is in jeopardy. ing the family's central role in education. The national READ*WRITE*NOW! program will Louis Gerstner, Chairman and CEO, IBM also be featured, which focuses on helping stu- dents to practice reading and writing skills during ...It would be an abdication of responsibility of the summer. READ*WRITE*NOW is jointly our very birthright as Americans if we should fail sponsored by the Education Department and its the next generation and not prepare them to partners, including Reading Is Fundamental, the prosper in an era of intense global economic National Associations of Elementary and Second- competition. ary School Principals, Hadassah, Pizza Hut, and Governor Bob Miller Nickelodeon. National Press Club, Washington, D.C. The Department of Education produces the March 21, 1996 Satellite Town Meeting series in partnership with the National Alliance of Business and the Center for Workforce Preparation with support from the National Conference Bayer Foundation, The Procter and Gamble Fund, Microsoft, Inc., and SC Johnson Wax. Looks At System-Wide Satellite coordinates are as follows.... Change C-Band: Telstar 401, Orbital Location 97 Iast month the fifth annual National Leader- degrees West; Transponder 7; Vertical Polarity; ship Conference on Continuous Quality Channel 7; Downlink Frequency 3840 MHz; Improvement in Schools brought together educa- Audio Subcarriers 6.2 MHz (Spanish) and 6.8 tors, business leaders, and representatives of MHz (English). community coalitions. The conference, held in Ku-Band: SBS-6, Orbital Location 74 degrees Chantilly, Virginia emphasized how the manage- West; Transponder 17; Horizontal Polarity; ment and quality improvement techniques that Channel 17; Downlink Frequency 12120.0 MHz; help businesses succeed can be applied to schools. Audio Subcarriers 6.2 MHz (Spanish) and 6.8 Innovative business-education partnerships were MHz (English). featured that are helping school districts to restruc- To participate in the Satellite Town Meeting, ture and improve student performance. Leaders contact your local Public Broadcasting System from the Minnesota Partners for Quality Education (PBS) member station, Chamber of Commerce, or Initiative, the New Mexico Governor's Business Johnson Controls branch office and ask if your Executive for Education, and the North Carolina group can use the facility as a downlink site. Business Committee for Education shared their Other possible sites are local schools, public successful strategies for change. The conference libraries, community colleges, cable television was organized by the American Association of stations, universities and technical schools, School Administrators Total Quality Network, the government offices, hospitals, businesses, hotels, Woods Quality Center, and the National Education or even private residences with satellite dishes. Quality Deployment Group. For more information Call 1-800-USA-LEARN for further information on the content presented at the conference, call or to registeryour participation. En Helen Schneider at 1-800-375-2550. Fzi Family Involvement Partnership for Learning

National Conference on Family Involvement Highlights Key Issues S. Deputy Secretary of Education Madeleine t Kunin was the keynote speaker and lead moderator at a national conference held last month at Teachers College in New York City. "A New I Understanding of Parent Involvement: Family- Work-School" was cosponsored by the Family Involvement Partnership for Learning, Teachers College, Working Mother magazine and the U.S. Department of Education. The conference brought together parents, students, teachers, administrators, Deputy Secretary employers, community and religious leaders to Madeleine Kunin was discuss good ideas and programs for strengthening the keynote speaker family involvement in children's learning. A at a national confer- "Golden Apple" awards breakfast recognized ence on family model programs that support family involvement. involvement in New York City. The award winners included: The Winter Indoor Recess Program, New Jersey New Handbook Supports Mattel, Inc. Parent Involvement Ridgeview, Inc., North Carolina he second edition of Education Today's BE&K Engineering and Construction Com- TParent Involvement Handbook offers useful pany, Alabama information to parents of children of all ages on a The American Business Collaboration for broad range of topics. The practical advice for Quality Dependent Care (ABC) parents covers acting as a child's first teacher, choosing an appropriate school, determining Family Involvement Programs, Rutgers Univer- children's special needs, supporting classroom sity, New Jersey work with activities at home, educating students Travis Middle School, Texas for a career, and financing a college education. Youth Guidance Comer School Development Prepared by the Educational Publishing Group, Program, Illinois Inc., the handbook was recognized as the 1995 The Allen County, Indiana MegaSkills Program EdPress award-winner for distinguished achieve- The Parents for Educational Excellence Pro- ment in educational publishing. To purchase the gram (ASPIRA), Washington, D.C. Parent Involvement Handbook, call 1- 800 -927- Project Parents, Inc., Massachusetts 6006, ext. 127, weekdays between 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern time. Ezi Regional Event Joins "America Goes Back To Educators and Religious School" Will Launch in Leaders August Nearly 300 local leaders from throughout New AMERICA GOES BACK TO SCHOOL: GET England joined Education Secretary Richard INVOLVED! is a nationwide effort that encour- Riley and Secretary's Regional Representative ages Americans to get actively involved in Brenda Dann-Messier for the first regional event making education better in their communities. In of the Family Involvement Partnership for its second year, America Goes Back To School Learning. The event was held at South Lawrence gives people the opportunity to make a year-round East School in Lawrence, Massachusetts. commitment to improving learning for all chil- dren. The day opened with an affirmation of the The nationwide program is inspired by 30 years Statement of Common Purpose Among Religious of research showing that when family and com- Communities, originally written and signed by 33 munity members are directly involved in educa- religious organizations in December of 1994. tion, results improve in key areas. Children Religious leaders from throughout New England achieve better grades and higher test scores, have signed the statement, which indicates the impor- higher graduation rates, are more likely to enroll tance of family involvement in learning and the in higher education, and are better behaved. role of religious organizations in the community Last year, hundreds of communities across the to encourage and enable families to fulfill this country dedicated events to improving local responsibility. The leaders represented a diverse schools. Celebrities, elected officials, athletes, group of religions and community-based projects artists, teachers, CEOs, authors, musicians, and sponsored by religious institutions. astronauts went back to school to share with students how important a good education was to Participants in the event included leaders from their success. schools, family organizations, churches, local The fall '96 Back To School initiative will be businesses, and community organizations. Secre- launched in August. U.S. Secretary of Education tary Riley encouraged each of them to help Richard W. Riley will be joined by parents, families to be involved in their children's learn- educators and more than 260 education, business, ing. He said the religious community can play a community and religious organizations who make special role to "help parents find the time for up the national Family Involvement Partnership reflection and the time for greater involvement in for Learning. Secretary Riley is encouraging all their children's learning." Americans to choose activities that meet the State breakout sessions were facilitated by both "Eight Challenges to American Education" that he a religious leader and an education leader. Par- identified in his third annual "State of American Education" address: ticipants discussed the programs already in existence in their states to help families and how Make schools safe and disciplined. they can work together in the future to make these Support parent and family involvement. services more accessible. Encourage reading and make America a The United Methodist Church presented literate society. Secretary Riley with the first copy of their new Reach for new levels of excellence with publication, Education, theGift of Hope,in which high standards and accountability. they urge every local church to support schools Bring computers into classrooms. within their own communities. Local churches, Prepare young people for careers. community groups, schools, businesses, and Make college more accessible. family organizations who would like to join in the Expand public school choice. national Family Involvement Partnership for For more information on America Goes Back To Learning can call 1-800-USA-LEARN for a sign- School: Get Involved, contact your local school or on document. C12 call 1-800-USA-LEARN. Welcome, New Partners! The national Family Involvement Partnership for Learning welcomes our newest partners: Coconino High School, Arizona Title I Parent Center, Massachusetts IBM Birmingham Public Schools, Alabama Windsor Re-4 Family Involvement Vision Central Holiness Church Center, South Carolina Team, Colorado Mattel, Inc. Teachers College, New York 11 Parent Resource Publishing, Inc., New Mexico April Town Meeting Shares Practical Advice about Planning for College IMP Acollege education is still affordable and

attainable," Education Secretary Richard as Riley told April's Town Meeting audience. Guest panelists agreed and suggested that planning early, both academically and financially, is the best strategy to help students prepare for college. But even for students and families who haven't planned far in advance, panelists discussed op- tions. Panelist Paul Beasley, director of TRIO Pro- grams at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, helps disadvantaged students in his are sensitive to the individual needs of the (from left to right) community prepare academically for college. borrower." David Longanecker, Beginning in the sixth grade, students are assisted Deputy Secretary Kunin also stressed why Joyce Baca Anderson, with planning course work and developing inter- borrowing should not deter students from pursu- Robert Glidden, ests and skills. Many communities across the ing a college education. "It's important to realize Deputy Secretary of country have TRIO programs. Education Madeleine that you're going to have more earning power to Kunin, Education The importance of parental involvement in pay back that loan at the end of your education Secretary Richard encouraging children to attend college was empha- than you do now," she said. The Deputy Secre- Riley, Paul Beasley, sized by Robert Glidden, president of Ohio Uni- tary noted that Americans who have a college Belle Wheelan, and versity in Athens, Ohio. "Parental involvement is degree bring home nearly twice the salary, on Lawrence Gladieux part of how students develop their aspirations," participated in the April average, as those with only a high school di- Town Meeting. Glidden said. ploma. Panelist Joyce Baca Anderson described an The Education Department has a new publica- innovative school-university partnership that tion that contains updated information on college establishes a continuum of learning for children costs, student financial aid, and academic require- from kindergarten through college. Anderson is an ments. The 1996-97 edition of "Preparing Your administrator at Pueblo School District Number Child For College: A Resource Book for Parents" 60, which works closely with the University of is available by calling 1-800-USA-LEARN. Southern Colorado in the Educational Alliance of Pueblo to help students make a smooth transition into higher education. Preparing for college financially was another Community Colleges Hold challenge discussed in the Town Meeting. Panelist Summit with Business Belle Wheelan, President of Central Virginia Community College in Lynchburg, informed Leaders viewers about the affordability of community On May 14, community colleges throughout colleges, where annual tuition averages $1300 to California will take part in a satellite meet- $1350. She also related that many community ing with business leadership to discuss how higher colleges have scholarship funds to provide students education-business partnerships can keep the with financial assistance. state's workforce competitive for the 21st century. Panelist Lawrence Gladieux, Executive Director Colleges and universities across the United States of the Washington, D.C., office of the College are invited to participate in this event, the "Cali- Board, related that there is a total of $47 billion of fornia 2001 Executive Partnership Summit." aid available to students to help pay college costs. Broadcast from Apple Computer headquarters in "College is possible, even if a family hasn't saved Cupertino, the summit will discuss how business- and planned far ahead," he said. education partnerships can help increase worker David Longanecker, the Assistant Secretary at productivity and economic growth and how the Education Department who oversees higher technology plays a vital role. Businesses in education programs, urged students to invest in California depend on community colleges to train college, even if they have to borrow funds. "There and educate a million workers each year. For is no investment a person will ever make that will more information on the summit and how to return as much as the investment in themselves and become a downlink site, call Peter Hoffman at their education," he said. "We've worked very (916) 446-5881 or fax (916) 446-5885. Or go to hard with the federal student loan programs to http: \ \www.cccf.org on the World Wide Web. Fla make sure that they will have repayment terms that 1 9 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION POSTAGE AND FEES PAID WASHINGTON, D.C. 20202-0498 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Permit NO. G17 OFFICIAL BUSINESS PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE $300 FIRST CLASS

175134 Ms.June Smith Rquisi t ions Secretary iffd ciititrtinston Hall MV ime=1 11141.10.UW4

Charter Schools Find Their Own Way to Success As interest grows in the idea of charter substantially over the past year. Honey Creek as an important tool in public school Community School in Ann Arbor, Michigan, reform, the Education Department is receiving focuses on technology and provides Internet access numerous inquiries: what is a charter school ? - to all teachers and students. New Visions School Although charter schools share some basic in Minneapolis, Minnesota, focuses intensively on features, they embody many different visions of reading and is using a Goals 2000 grant to share its school improvement, unique to each community. successful strategies with teachers in nearby school Education Secretary Richard Riley has visited districts. numerous charter schools in his travels across the Supporters view charter schools as a promising country. "I've seen many different success way to raise academic standards, empower educa- stories," he said. "Charter schools have the tors, involve parents and communities, and expand freedom to be innovative, but one important choice and accountability in public education. One feature they share is how they can become a challenge facing charter schools has been a lack of source of good ideas throughout a district." start-up funding. To expand start-up resources, the A charter school is a public school that is Department of Education has provided $5.4 million governed by teachers, parents, administrators, or in start-up grants for charter schools in 11 states, others who want to create and manage a success- and President Clinton has proposed a major expan- ful public school. The developers of a charter sion of this public charter schools program. For school apply to a public agency usually a local more information on public charter schools, school board or state board of education for a including contacts in your state, call 1-800-USA- charter that provides public funding and a LEARN or visit the Department's World Wide performance contract to run a public school. Web site at http://www.ed.gov. Community Update is published Charter schools are free from most education by the Office of laws and regulations, but are accountable for In the last issue of Community Update, we Intergovernmental results. Performance is reviewed after three to reported that the Senate had passed a bill and Interagency five years, and a school remains open only as with a strong bipartisan vote, restoring most Affairs. long as it achieves good results. Charter schools of the education cuts in 1996 funding that had Assistant do not charge tuition. They are accountable to been proposed earlier and moving closer to Secretary public institutions and generally have open President Clinton's 1996 recommendations. MARIO MORENO admissions policies. As this edition went to press, it appears that Senior Director While charter schools vary in size, many are the House has now moved toward the President and the bipartisan coalition in the JOHN McGRATH small schools, averaging about 300 students. Senate. In the next issue of Community Editor Charter schools also vary in the focus of their mission. The Accelerated Charter School in Update, we plan to give you the details of this JOY BELIN south-central Los Angeles emphasizes high agreement so that school districts awaiting Designer expectations for all learners and has raised this news can finalize their budgets for the BARBARA JULIUS student scores on a standardized math test coming school year. 13 No. 36, June 1996 grades. Schools in Illinois and many other states U.S. Department of Goals 2000 Reviews Two Education have been using Goals 2000 funds to train teachers Years of Progress in the use of technology in the classroom and for a wide range of other technology-related purposes. On March 31, 1994, when the Goals 2000: Several states, including Massachusetts, Minnesota, Educate America Act was signed into law, Michigan, and Arizona have used Goals 2000 funds President Clinton and Congress made a biparti- to support public charter schools as a key part of san commitment to improve education for all their overall reform efforts. students. After two years of support for promis- In Kentucky, Goals 2000 is helping to strengthen ing school reform at the state and local level, a parental involvement in education by training report has been issued summarizing the progress, teachers to recruit parents as volunteer instructional entitled Goals 2000: Increasing Student Achieve- aides and by reaching out to parents through ment Through State and Local Initiatives. homework hotlines. Delaware, Nevada, and Goals 2000 recognizes that education is a state Vermont have incorporated Goals 2000 funds into and local responsibility, making clear distinc- their comprehensive plans to implement high tions between state and local decision making academic standards, challenging curricula based on and the federal supportive role. The design of those standards, and new ways to measure student Goals 2000 allows states to apply for federal performance. Colorado developed a set of model grants to create innovative approaches to raise content standards with input from 14,000 citizens student achievement or build on efforts already that is serving as a guide to change in local dis- in place. tricts, many of which are using Goals 2000 funds to The broad consensus among parents, employ- improve schools. ers, educators, and state and local leaders that Forty states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto inspired Goals 2000 focuses state and local Rico have received second-year Goals 2000 funds. school reform on challenging students with high Most of the other states are expected to apply for academic standards developed by states and local second-year funds before the June 30 deadline. The communities. Academic standards describe what law requires that at least 90 percent of second-year every student should know and be able to do by Goals 2000 grants will go directly to local school certain grade levels in content areas such as districts and schools. English, math, science, and geography. A recent amendment to Goals 2000 allows Forty-eight states, the District of Columbia, districts in states not participating in the program as and Puerto Rico received funds in the first year of October 20, 1995 (Ala., Mont., N.H., Okla., Va.) of Goals 2000. The grants stipulated that states to apply directly to the Education Secretary for design state-wide education improvement Goals 2000 grants, as long as the state education strategies and that at least 60 percent of funds agency approves. As this edition went to press, would be distributed to local school districts. local districts in Montana and Oklahoma will be States have worked within the framework of able to take advantage of this provision. No new federal regulations were issued for Goals 2000. In fact, the Act provided the U.S. Secretary of Education with the authority to waive many federal rules and regulations if they interfered with raising academic standards to establish their own local or state education reform strategies. priorities in their education improvement plans. For more information on Goals 2000 or a com- Texas is awarding Goals 2000 grants to schools plete copy of the biennial progress report, call 1- that focus on improving reading in the early 800- USA - LEARN. ra June Town MeetingFree Materials on Reading To Focus On SchoolAvailable from ERIC Discipline The ERIC Clearinghouse on Reading, En- glish, and Communication offers parents The June Satellite Town Meeting will and teachers free two-page summaries on such discuss how to improve learning opportuni- topics as: ties for all students by ensuring that schools are Supporting children's literacy development; safe and orderly. Helping children overcome reading difficul- Entitled "School Discipline Strategies: ties; Learning in an Orderly Environment" the hour- Using computers for reading and writing long Town Meeting will air on Tuesday, June instruction; and 18 at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The program will be closed-captioned and will be simulcast Incorporating phonics in whole language in Spanish. classrooms. U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley These resources, called ERIC Digests, are and Deputy Secretary Madeleine Kunin will highly readable and include practical tips for welcome educators and local leaders from the classroom and home. They can also serve as around the country who have developed effec- effective handouts for parent-teacher meetings tive strategies to manage classrooms and and teacher professional development sessions. schools so that teaching and learning can Another free resource available from the flourish. Discussion topics will include what Clearinghouse is the newsletter, The ERIC role parents have in reinforcing appropriate Reader. Both the winter and spring 1996 issues student behavior, what results schools are were devoted to the issue of underachievement achieving with discipline strategies such as in reading, including strategies and materials school uniforms and zero tolerance of undesir- for addressing the problem. able behavior, and what roles businesses and In addition to the free publications, the ERIC community groups have in contributing to safe Clearinghouse on Reading, English, and Com- and orderly school environments. munication produces low-cost books, including The Department of Education produces the Teach a Child to Read, Remedial Reading for Satellite Town Meeting series in partnership Elementary School Children, and Critical with the National Alliance of Business and the Thinking, Reading, and Writing. The Clearing- Center for Workforce Preparation with support house can also assist parents and teachers from the Bayer Foundation, The Procter and through a series of seminars and workshops Gamble Fund, Microsoft, Inc., and SC Johnson offered through its Family Literacy Center at Wax. sites throughout the country. These include Satellite coordinates are as follows.... "Parents Sharing Books" seminars and work- C-Band: Telstar 401, Orbital Location 97 shops such as "Make Parents Your Partners in degrees West; Transponder 7; Vertical Polarity; Literacy." Contact the Clearinghouse to learn Channel 7; Downlink Frequency 3840 MHz; more about these offerings. Audio Subcarriers 6.2 MHz (Spanish) and 6.8 To order Digests or to receive The ERIC MHz (English). Reader, call 1-800-759-4723 or write to: ERIC Ku-Band: SBS-6, Orbital Location 74 Clearinghouse on Reading, English, and Com- degrees West; Transponder 17; Horizontal munication, Indiana University, Smith Research Polarity; Channel 17; Downlink Frequency Center, 2805 E. 10th Street, Suite 150, 12120 MHz; Audio Subcarriers 6.2 MHz Bloomington, Ind., 47408-2698. You may also (Spanish) and 6.8 MHz (English). download selected Digests, The ERIC Reader, To participate in the Satellite Town Meeting, and bibliographies on popular literacy topics contact your local Public Broadcasting System from the Clearinghouse's Web site at http:// (PBS) member station, Chamber of Commerce, www.indiana.edu/eric_rec. More specific or Johnson Controls branch office and ask if literacy questions may be addressed to the your group can use the facility as a downlink AskERIC question and answer service at site. Other possible sites are local schools, [email protected]. public libraries, community colleges, cable The ERIC Clearinghouse on Reading, En- television stations, universities and technical glish, and Communication is one of 16 subject- schools, government offices, hospitals, busi- area clearinghouses within the Educational nesses, hotels, or even private residences with Resources Information Center system, spon- satellite dishes. Call 1-800-USA-LEARN for sored by the Education Department's National further information or to register your partici- Library of Education. ri/J pation. Fa 15 Special Insert on. Family Involvement

txtescom Partnership vts ,,.. , ...____ rte Involvement 00/ Or- *vs& InEducation SReligio Girl Scouts Promote Reading Girl Scouts nationwide are actively involved ....11111111%. in library and literacy projects in their communities. As part of their "Read to Lead" 11 program, the Girl Scouts are supporting READ*WRITE*NOW, the reading and writing initiative of the Partnership for Family Involve- ment in Education. In two pilot projects in Kansas City, Mo., and Houston, Texas, the Girl Scouts will serve as reading tutors in the READ*WRITE*NOW program to Title I students. AMC Theaters is also involved in the partnership, providing sites to train the Girl Scouts for their responsibilities and up to 10,000 free movie tickets as incentives to tutors and students who complete the eight-week program. LouisianaGirl Scouts across southeast Girl Scouts and their In addition to the collaboration with Louisiana focused on literacy and the right to read leaders from Area 9 of with a Girl Scouts' "Be Your Best" book drive. In the Kentuckiana Girl READ*WRITE*NOW, the Girl Scouts adopted Scout Council created literacy as the theme for the second annual "Be the council-wide event, Girl Scouts collected new a research volume for Your Best Day" on March 12, which coincides and used books and donated them to local social the Western Branch with the Girl Scout's national birthday. Here are welfare agencies. Some troops read to younger Library in Louisville. some of the activities for "Be Your Best Day" that children or each other, made bookmarks or posters Girl Scout councils reported toCommunity Update. about reading, visited libraries, or developed Kentucky Girl Scouts in the Kentuckiana reading games. The council set a goal of collect- Girl Scout Council, which encompasses 50 coun- ing 10,000 books. As of April 1, over 7,500 ties in Kentucky, 6 in Indiana, and 1in Tennessee, books had been acquired. focused their energy on supporting local libraries. New York The Girl Scout Council of Nassau The Girl Scouts in Area 9, which covers 4 sections County is committed to encouraging literacy of Louisville, researched the history of African for its membership. As part of this effort, "A American Girl Scouting in their own community Literary Tea" was organized. This special event, from 1940 to 1996. They sifted through newspa- geared toward younger Daisy and Brownie Girl per articles, photographs, and historical records, Scouts, consisted of hands-on reading activities, compiling a volume of archival quality. Upon the chance to meet a published author, and a take- completion of the project, members of Girl Scout home bag of reading-related items. Approxi- troops 3067, 888, 546, and 832 presented the mately 137 girls with 101 adult escorts attended volume to the Western Branch Library in Louis- the event. ga ville, a repository of African American literature and history in Kentucky. 16 Welcome New Partners! The national Partnership for Family Involvement in Education includes over 300 schools, employers, education, parent, community, and religious organizations. We welcome our newest partners: Amburgey Carrish Construction Highland Elementary School (Fla.) Annie Fisher School (Conn.) Hop Brook Elementary School (Conn.) Arnold J. Tyler School (Ill.) Jefferson Elementary School (N. D.) Bank of Boston Leicester Central School (Vt.) BE&K, Inc. Lesley College Becker School (Mich.) Lincoln School (Ill.) Beechwoods Elementary School (Ohio) Literacy Investment for Tomorrow Bentley College Lowell Elementary School (Minn.) Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Mass., Inc. Michie Elementary School (Tenn.) Boston Edison Company Monroe Avenue School (Ill.) Boston College Mount Horeb School (N.J.) Cablevision of Boston Nutter Fort Intermediate Center (W. Va.) Central Park Elementary School (Ill.) Orange Center Elementary School (Calif.) Chicago Public Schools' 21st Century Community Pioneer Elementary School (Colo.) Centers Program (Ill.) Pitcairn Elementary School (Pa.) Christian Ott Elementary School (Mo.) Ridgeview, Inc. Clarence Randall Elementary School (Mich.) Robert W. Coleman Elementary School (Md.) Colleton Middle Campus A (S.C.) Robert Fulton School (N.J.) Community School #53 (N. Y.) Robert Frost Elementary School (Utah) Cornelia F. Bradford P.S. #16 (N.J.) Settlement College Readiness Program (N.Y.) Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce Socrum Elementary School (Fla.) Dickman School (Ill.) Tashua School (Conn.) Dresden Elementary School (Ga.) Texas Instruments, Materials and Controls East Elementary School (Ohio) Group Ellen Feickert School (Calif.) Valerio Street Elementary (Calif.) Emerson College Warner Unified School (Calif.) The English High School (Mass.) West Solomon Valley Schools (Kan.) Everett School (Ill.) Wilmer Elementary School (Texas) Fairplain Elementary School (W. Va.) Worthington Elementary School (Md.) Falling Spring Elementary School (Va.) Wright Elementary School (Fla.) Grove Hill Elementary School (Ala.) National Cochairs Announced for AMERICA GOES BACK TO SCHOOL US. Secretary of Education Richard Riley AMERICA GOES BACKTO SCHOOL by July announced that Mrs. Tipper Gore, wife of 1. Colleges are also invited to participate. Vice President Al Gore; legendary star athlete Parents, employers, religious organization Bo Jackson; National PTA President Joan members, and community leaders are encour- Dykstra; and former U.S. Deputy Secretary of aged to contact local schools to discover ways Education Ted Sanders, current president of that they can contribute to improved learning. Southern Illinois University, have agreed to Schools are encouraged to reach out to parents cochair the 1996 AMERICA GOES BACK TO and community members to invite their support. SCHOOL: GET INVOLVED! initiative. They will direct a national volunteer steering.com- Secretary Riley urges people from all walks mittee made up of approximately 30 leaders of of life to start planning now to GET IN- education, business, religious and community VOLVED! this fall and show support for organizations. America's schools and colleges. For more information aboutAMERICA GOES BACKTO AMERICA GOES BACK TO SCHOOL: GET SCHOOL: GET INVOLVED!, call 1-800-USA- INVOLVED! is a nationwide effort that encour- LEARN. Materials will also be available on the ages Americans to participate actively in Education Department's home page after July 1 making education better in their communities. In its second year, AMERICA GOES BACK TO at http:\\www.ed.gov. SCHOOL gives people the opportunity to make a year-round commitment to improving learn- ing for students of all ages. II Every elementary, middle and high school - " nationwide will receive planning materials for ,

1 Help Children Discovera Love of Reading, Town Meeting Panelists Urge

The May Satellite Town Meeting discussed how parents, schools, businesses, libraries, and community groups can help students experience the enjoyment of reading and develop lifelong reading habits. Panelists agreed that making reading fun is the engine that drives students to improve their reading skills. U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley spoke of the importance of helping students practice reading during the summer, when a dropoff in skills typically occurs that can impede long-term academic progress. The contribution that businesses can make to (from left to right) He encouraged support for the READ*WRITE*NOW reading was exemplified by panelist Eunice Ellis, Steve Herb, Deputy program, sponsored by the Education Department, Director of the BOOK IT! National Reading Incen- Secretary Madeleine Kunin, U.S. Secretary businesses and national organizations, as a way of tive Program for Pizza Hut. The BOOK IT! program of Education Richard strengthening students' skills. motivates 22 million elementary school children to Riley, Elaine Thomas, "I would like to urge parents, grandparents, read through a unique combination of incentives, Eunice Ellis, and John librarians, teachers, and all concerned citizens to including praise, recognition, and pizza. The pro- Monfredo participated volunteer to help with READ*WRITE*NOW so that gram is flexible to meet teachers' needs, allowing in the May Satellite Town Meeting. we can reach one million children this summer," them to set reading goals for students. "Our goal is Riley said. Adults and older teens can participate in to develop lifelong readers," Ellis said. the program by reading together with children, Panelist Elaine Thomas illustrated the role of tutoring them, and sharing in suggested learning community groups in developing literacy. Thomas is activities. READ*WRITE*NOW provides incen- the Area 9 Chair of the Kentuckiana Girl Scout tives to reward children for their efforts, including a Council, supervising troops within several sections of certificate for free food at Pizza Hut. Louisville. The Girl Scouts in Area 9 created a Panelists represented the groups who must work unique project for their local library that had meaning together to make students strong readers. Principal for themselves and their community. John Monfredo from Belmont Street Community "We found out that the library did not have a School in Worcester, Mass., related how educators history of Girl Scouting in our community for can make reading a central part of children's lives. African-American girls," Thomas said. "We set At Belmont, which serves predominantly disadvan- about to create one. The girls, parents, and adult taged students, the innovative Books and Beyond leaders worked to compile documents and photos to program has helped the school achieve dramatic compile a reference book which will be given to the results in reading. Students, parents and teachers library. Other people will be able to check out and read have been urged to take part in the "reading culture" the history of Girl Scouting in Area 9 of Louisville." the program has created, and an average of 50,000 At the Town Meeting's close, Deputy Secretary books are read each year. Kunin reviewed how to help students be strong Monfredo also inspires children to read with his readers: read with children and tell stories; encourage "principal's challenge" in which he promises to ride children to read 30 minutes a day; get library cards an elephant or sit in a dunk tank if students reach for children; keep books and reading materials in the school-wide reading goals. "I decided that the best house; encourage children to learn new vocabulary; thing to do was to build a desire in children to read," make reading fun with special activities and rewards; Monfredo said. "We did everything possible to and involve families, schools, businesses, libraries, advertise the books." and the entire community in literacy efforts. Panelist Steve Herb, head of the Education Library To enroll in READ *WRITE *NOW, call 1-800 - at Penn State University in University Park, Pa., USA- LEARN. You can also obtain a kit from the shared how libraries can help instill a love of reading Education Department's on-line library at http:// in children before they start school. "Perhaps the www.ed.gov. most important thing for a public library is teaching a To sign up for Pizza Hut's BOOK IT! program, fondness for books," he said. "A lot of children will call 1-800-4-BOOK-IT. For more information on learn to read and write very naturally if they just see libraries and reading, contact the Association for the value in it.It's so easy to show the value by Library Service to Children, a division of the Ameri- reading to children and telling stories. And those kids can Library Association. Call 1-800-545-2433, who may not learn to read so easily will know that extension 2163. cm it's worth the trouble." 18 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION POSTAGE AND FEES PAID WASHINGTON, D.C. 20202-0498 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Permit NO. Gil OFFICIAL BUSINESS 7.°17 Z.15 'ZS PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE $300 FIRST CLASS

175134 Me. June Smith Rquisi'tione 'Secretory Eric/Ir 030 .Huntington Mall Swn:acuse-University, N.Y ...13.244

Bipartisan Agreement Protects 1996 Education Budget president Clinton has signed into law a 1996 (which ends September 30). Major pro- E budget agreement with Congress that grams such as Safe and Drug-Free Schools and restores most of the education cuts in 1996 Title I will be funded at or slightly above 1995 funding that Congress had proposed earlier. U.S. levels. Goals 2000, which was threatened with Secretary of Education Richard Riley praised the elimination by the House, will be funded at 94 budget agreement, which moved closer to the percent of the 1995 level. As this edition went to President's recommendation and passed by a wide press, Congress has already begun to consider the bipartisan margin in Congress, as "an important 1997 budget for education. victory for parents, students, teachers, and every The chart below compares the funding levels American working to improve education and for major education programs in the 1995 appro- educational opportunities." priation, the 1996 appropriation, and the The budget agreement ends months of uncer- President's request for the 1997 budget. rig tainty to fund education programs for fiscal year Investing in the Basics of Better Education(in thousands of dollars)

. . IS.

Raise Standards of Achievement: Goals 2000 350,000 Community Update is published by the Office of Reading and Math Help: Title I 6,730,348 Intergovernmental and Interagency Affairs. Safe and Drug-Free Schools 465,981 Assistant Secretary Bring Computers into Classrooms 48,000 MARIO MORENO Senior Director Special ED: Helping Children with Disabilities 2,323,837 JOHN McGRATH Editor Help Youth Move from School to Careers 180,000 JOY BELIN Designer BARBARA JULIUS Expand Public School Choice: Charter Schkols 18,000 41114. MAIllMil AIIIII p

No. 37, July 1996 U.S. Department of President Clinton Honors Award-Winning Schools Education Editor's note: Each year the Education Department recognizes some of the nation's most successful public and private schools as "Blue Ribbon Schools," selecting among elementary and secondary schools in alternate years. This year U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley named 266 secondary schools from 40 states and the District of Columbia as award winners. The schools demonstrated excellence in teaching and instruction, student achievement, leadership, and parental involvement. President Clinton spoke at a ceremony honoring the Blue Ribbon Schools on May 29 in Washington, D.C. The following are excerpts from his remarks: This ceremony is honoring not just a single student, or even a single teacher, but entire schools and the communities that sustain them. A The Blue Ribbon Awards are rooted in the belief j that schools work only if everyone does his or her part if principals set high standards, if teachers teach well, if students work and learn, and if parents and other community leaders stay involved and stay supportive. 11, You know, I've had the chance, as I've said, to be in a lot of different schools elementary, middle and high schools all across the country; public schools, parochial schools. I have seen in all the schools that really work, clearly, one uniform characteristic.... Every one of them had high standards and high expectations. They actually believed that students could learn and

that they would learn if given the right kind of tier standards, the right kind of support, the right kind of environment. I told the country's governors at their Educa- tion Summit in March that we have to have those kinds of expectations for all of our students. And somehow we have to make sure that they have President Clinton spoke to representatives from this those expectations of themselves. We have to year's Blue Ribbon Schools in Washington, D.C. make every child in this country believe in himself or herself believe they can learn that means they have to not only learn things difficult things. We have to hold them account- today, but be able to learn for a lifetime. able, but we also need to reward them and pat As long as we have a well-educated citizenry, as them on the back when they do well. long as we have people who can learn whatever " they need to learn whenever they need to learn it, and who understand that this is related to the work ... Nothing is as important as preparing the of citizenship, this country will do just fine. If you American people and our young people for the succeed, America succeeds. That is the ultimate 21st century world in which they will live. And lesson of today. Eij July Town MeetingPartnership Encourages Will Look At Children's Workplace Enabling Girls to Skills Achieve Chrysler Corporation joined with the Ameri- The July Satellite Town Meeting will explore can Federation of Teachers, The Association how we can create learning environments of Supervision and Curriculum Development, and where both girls and boys can achieve to their full Scholastic, Inc. in a national effort to help parents potential. and teachers develop children's workplace skills. The "Learning Together" program provided ideas Entitled "Women and Girls in Education: for hands-on activities that could be incorporated What's Working in Schools and Communities," easily into the school curriculum or at home. The the hour-long Town Meeting will air on Tuesday, ideas were communicated in two series of 8-page July 16 at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The program guides that were sent to 600,000 K-3 teachers will be closed-captioned and will be simulcast in across the country and to approximately 13 Spanish. million families with children ages 5-8. U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley and Suggestions in the teacher guides included Deputy Secretary Madeleine Kunin will welcome turning a typical classroom conflict between educators and local leaders from around the students into an opportunity for learning. The country who will offer successful strategies for class would be asked to identify the problem, ensuring that girls have equal educational opportu- summarize different points of view, brainstorm nities. Discussion topics will include what kinds possible solutions, and decide on a resolution. of barriers in the classroom discourage girls from Teachers were also provided with a pyramid of achieving to their full potential; what can be done workplace skills to use as a guideline in planning to encourage girls to pursue math and science, other learning activities, including communicat- fields where they are traditionally ing, problem-solving, working with others, finding underrepresented; and what role families, schools, information and applying technology. employers, and community groups have in helping girls develop their full educational potential. The family guides explored how parents can help encourage strong work habits such as The Department of Education produces the completion of tasks and cooperating with others. Satellite Town Meeting series in partnership with Ideas that could be integrated easily into family the National Alliance of Business and the Center life included building communication skills by for Workforce Preparation with support from the asking for more description from a child about his/ Bayer Foundation, The Procter and Gamble Fund, her school day. Giving children more responsibil- Microsoft, Inc., and SC Johnson Wax. ity for the tasks that sustain the family was also Satellite coordinates are as follows .... suggested. C-Band: Telstar 401, Orbital Location 97 The culmination of the Learning Together degrees West; Transponder 7; Vertical Polarity; program was the celebration of National Family Channel 7; Downlink Frequency 3840 MHz; Learning Days from May 3-5. U.S. Deputy Audio Subcarriers 6.2 MHz (Spanish) and 6.8 Secretary of Education Madeleine Kunin spoke at MHz (English). the kick-off event in Detroit, Mich., where the key role of families in children's learning was empha- Ku-Band: SBS-6, Orbital Location 74 degrees sized. Shawntel Smith, the reigning Miss West; Transponder 17; Horizontal Polarity; America, also participated in the event; she has Channel 17; Downlink Frequency 12120 MHz; been named America's school-to-work ambassa- Audio Subcarriers 6.2 MHz (Spanish) and 6.8 dor by Education Secretary Richard Riley and MHz (English). Labor Secretary Robert Reich. Nearly 100 To participate in the Satellite Town Meeting, children's museums across the country celebrated contact your local Public Broadcasting System National Family Learning Days by offering (PBS) member station, Chamber of Commerce, or special discounts to families. Johnson Controls branch office and ask if your Chrysler's Chairman and CEO, Robert Eaton, group can use the facility as a downlink site. explained why his corporation sponsored the Other possible sites are local schools, public Learning Together program and National Family libraries, community colleges, cable television Learning Days. "Today, America needs people stations, universities and technical schools, who can learn quickly, think logically, and work government offices, hospitals, businesses, hotels, creatively with others. To them will go the good or even private residences with satellite dishes. jobs, and on their shoulders will rest the future of Call I- 800 USA -LEARN for further information the country." ra or to register your participation. 21 Vi c s

0 for Family 0

Involvement k 0 in Education Relig'° Secretary Riley Welcomes Leaders to "America Goes Back to School: Get Involved!" Steering Committee

U. S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley S MIL announced that 40 parent, education, busi- ness, religious, and community leaders from across the nation have volunteered to serve on the steer- ing committee for the 1996 "America Goes Back to School: Get Involved!" initiative. America Goes Back to School is a nationwide effort that encourages all Americans to participate actively in improving education in their communities. Secretary Riley and steering committee members will be joined by national co-chairs Tipper Gore, wife of the Vice President and a lifelong child

advocate; Bo Jackson, star athlete and actor; Joan v Dykstra, National PTA President; and Ted Sand- 0 ers, President of Southern Illinois University. Steering Committee members include:

Marilyn Akin, National Coalition of Title I/Chapter I Parents J. Randall MacDonald, GTE Corporation Members of the Gordon Ambach, Council of Chief State School Officers Dr. John J. Mahlmann, Music Educators Nat'l Conference America Goes Back to Gregory L. Anderegg, SC Johnson Wax Valsin A. Marmillion, Pacific Visions Communications School Steering Dr. Scott W. Bean, Utah State Office of Education Joseph McTighe, Council for American Private Education Committee recently Lisa Belzberg, Public Education Needs Civic Involvement in Frank R. Miracola, Armada Elementary School, Mich. met with Tipper Gore Learning (PENCIL) Richard F. Odell, Interlochen Center for the Arts (far left) and Education Ronald Blackburn-Moreno, ASP1RA Assoc., Inc. Hugh B. Price, National Urban League, Inc. Secretary Richard Dr. Jennifer Blitz, The Chicago Academy of Sciences Samuel G. Sava, Nat'! Assoc. of Elementary School Princi- Riley (center). Dr. Karen A. Bowyer, Dyersburg State Community College, pals Tenn. Jack R. Sawka, Telephone Pioneers of America Dr. Anne L. Bryant, National School Boards Assoc. Albert Shanker, American Federation of Teachers Maria A. Casillas, Los Angeles Annenberg Metropolitan Sister Mary Angela Shaughnessy, Spalding Univ. Project (LAAMP) Jean Margaret Smith, Nickelodeon Gloria De Necochea, Mattel Foundation Patricia McGill Smith, Nat'l Parent Network on Disabilities Timothy Dyer, Nat'l Assoc. of Secondary School Principals Roxanne Spillett, Boys & Girls Clubs of America Sue Ferguson, National Coalition for Parent Involvement in Catherine Stark-Corn, Squash It! Education Eileen Sweeney, United Airlines Keith Geiger, National Education Assoc. Dr. Donald R. Thompson, American Assoc. of School David Hottenstein, Hatboro-Horsham Senior High School, Pa. Administrators Paul Houston, American Assoc. of School Administrators Dr. Michael D. Usdan, Institute for Educational Leadership Anne Jolly, Alabama State Teacher Forum Carolyn Warner, United Methodist Foundation Carole Kennedy, New Haven Accelerated School, Mo. Iris Williams, Florida Commission on Community Service/ Reverend Archie LeMone, Progressive Nat'l Baptist Conven- AmeriCorps Florida EM tion, Inc. Religious Groups Because of their historical commitment to Get Involved in families and their leadership position in the Learning community, religious groups play an important Religious groups have supported the Partner- role in the Partnership for Family Involvement in ship for Family Involvement in Education Education. Es since it began in 1994. The leaders of religious communities, representing more than 75 percent of religiously affiliated Americans, wrote a Statement of Common Purpose to describe the essential role of religious communities in encour- aging families to be involved in their children's education. This Statement of Common Purpose was signed in a ceremony with Education Secre- National tary Richard Riley and Deputy Secretary Kunin in Participation December of 1994. Since the Statement of Common Purpose was Grows in signed, religious communities have stepped READ*WRITE*NOW! forward to turn their words into action. One of the most universally embraced programs by the The READ*WRITE*NOW! national reading religious members of the Partnership has been the and writing program, now in its second national initiative for reading and writing, summer, anticipates reaching one million children READ*WRITE*NOW. B'nai B'rith Youth before school resumes in the fall. The program challenges students to practice their reading and Organization has actively supported the use of writing skills over the summer, a time when many READ*WRChristian Brothers Conference and the students lose progress they have made during the Jesuit Secondary Education Association have school year. Students are asked to read daily, set agreed to make READ*WRITE*NOW one of the summer reading goals, and complete learning service projects that their high school students activities with an adult or older teen reading perform during the school year. partner. READ*WRITE*NOW! provides kits for Many retired Catholic sisters are tutoring participants that include an activity book, book- disadvantaged children this summer using the marks, a certificate, and a coupon for free food at READ*WRITE*NOW program. The Church of Pizza Hut. God in Christ and the Rabbinical Assembly are Many organizations are coordinating efforts to also working to engage their members in bring together children of all ages and back- READ*WRITE*NOW activities. Finally, the grounds to help each other improve their reading National Council of Churches is sponsoring a and writing skills. The Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., workshop in the fall for a wide variety of church Title I educators, the Kansas City School District, and family leaders that will include the and American Multi-Cinema, Inc. (AMC) have READ*WRITE*NOW program. collaborated on a plan to provide Title I students in Kansas City, Mo. with learning partners: The leaders of many other religious organiza- Seventy-five Girl Scouts received training on how tions are also supporting activities of the Partner- to be reading tutors, incorporating ship for Family Involvement in Education. READ*WRITE*NOW and other activities that Several elders of the Church of Jesus Christ of the facilitate language arts learning. After the initial Latter Day Saints have met with Secretary Riley training sessions, the Girl Scouts will pass on to discuss ways that their church members can use their knowledge to others who will become their many programs supporting family involve- learning partners for younger children. ment in learning to reach out to their local com- Many local and national groups have requested munities. The Progressive National Baptist materials and guidance to supplement already Church is signing on local congregations to the existing programs or to start new programs Partnership and sponsoring a fall event for the focusing on literacy and the intergenerational one- America Goes Back to School: Get Involved! on-one reading the program encourages. To initiative (see p. 3). The United Methodist support these efforts, READ*WRITE*NOW! kits Church recently released a report, Education: The were mailed to every public library in the nation. Gift of Hope, in which local churches are chal- To find out more about READ*WRITE*NOW!, lenged to be involved in education within their or to obtain a kit, call I-800-USA-LEARN. local communities. 23 Good Behavior Can Be Taught, Town Meeting Audience Learns The guest panelists in the June Satellite Town Meeting agreed that school discipline is a more serious problem today than in times past, but they also emphasized that students can learn responsible behavior with proper support from parents, educators, and the community. Special guest Dr. James Comer of Yale Univer- sity, a leading expert on school reform and children's learning, established the connection between discipline and student achievement. When young people are developing well, they will learn. Therefore it is necessary to pay attention to creating a climate that allows all the adults in the environment to support the develop- ment of young people." (from left to right) Dr. Cotner, the Maurice Falk Professor of Child was elected student body president, and completed his studies. "The arts are often a way to reach Ruben Zacarias, Gerry Psychiatry and Associate Dean of Yale Medical Tirozzi, Pamela School, created the School Development Program, young people who otherwise might not get en- Riddick, Education which has improved academic performance and gaged," Deputy Secretary Kunin said. Secretary Richard The role that school security officers can play in Riley, James Corner, student behavior in 600 school sites nationwide. Deputy Secretary The program actively involves parents in guiding contributing to safe and orderly schools was Kunin, Rosemary school decisions and setting goals for students. described by panelist John Mc Lees, the Executive Lynch, and John Reports on two model schools also demon- Director for School Safety in the Philadelphia, Pa. Mc Lees participated in school district. He supervises nearly 300 school the June Town strated the principle that good behavior can be Meeting. taught. At Limerick Avenue School in Canoga police officers stationed at local schools. "Every Park, Calif., the message of positive student one of our officers act as positive role models for behavior is communicated before every student the children. They're there to talk to the kids. assembly, on bulletin boards in every classroom, And the kids come to confide in them. If our on murals in the hallways, and through a special officers can't come up with the proper response, character education program. we reach out to the school support team." At Ruffner Middle School in Norfolk, Va., The perspective of parents was represented by mandatory school uniforms have been part of a Rosemary Lynch, First Vice President of the program to dramatically improve discipline and Fairfax County Council of PTA's in Fairfax, Va. student achievement. The decision to adopt When youth violence became a problem in the uniforms was made after extensive consultations community, Lynch and other parentssecureda with parents, school staff, and students them- grant from the Department of Education to imple- selves. ment a conflict resolution program for students, teachers, and parents. "Parents are a very impor- Guest panelist Pamela Riddick, principal at tant part of the solution," Lynch said. Ruffner School, reported that the number of classroom disruptions dropped by 50 percent in Guest panelist Ruben Zacarias, Deputy Superin- the first year of the school uniform policy. School tendent of the Los Angeles School District, also staff, who also voted to adhere to a dress code, recognized the important role of parents and the consistently enforced Ruffner's discipline code. community. "School discipline is a collective We established a no-nonsense approach to what responsibility," he said. we expect from children, and a high standard of Education Secretary Richard Riley summarized expectation that is not negotiable," Riddick said. the consensus reached during the Town Meeting. As a result, children began to view themselves as "Prevention is the important thing that all of tjs having an opportunity to be successful." ought to be working on day by day. That's what A telephone call to the program from Oscar works." Sierra of Los Angeles, Calif. exemplified the kind The Education Department has a packet of of positive changes that students can make with materials to support school discipline programs, the proper support. After participating in an arts including a manual on school uniforms. To program called Living Literature Colors United, request the materials, call the Safe and Drug-Free Sierra, a former gang member, returned to school, Schools Clearinghouse at 1-800-624-0100. Ez, 94 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20202-0498 POSTAGE AND FEES PAID U.S. DEPARTMF/IT OF EDUCATION OFFICIAL BUSINESS Permit NO. 0-17 PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE $300 FIRST CLASS

Debate Starts in Congress Over 1997 Education Budget After months of uncertainty for schools ended rotect the nation's investment in education and with a bipartisan agreement for the 1996 support the president's full request for 1997. education budget that satisfied President Clinton "More students than ever before will be in our and passed by a wide bipartisan margin in Con- nation's classrooms this fall nearly 52 million. gress, a House subcommittee on education has We need a budget that is in touch with the future taken action to renew the national debate over needs of this country and the growing educational investing in education. The Labor, Health, & needs of our students," Secretary Riley said. Human Services and Education Subcommittee of The chart below compares the funding levels for the House Appropriations Committee voted to cut major education programs in the House subcom- President Clinton's 1997 education budget request mittee bill and President Clinton's 1997 budget by $2.8 billion. request, and also shows the difference between As this edition went to press, U.S. Secretary of what Congress and the president have proposed. El Eduation Richard Riley urged House members to

Comparing Investment in Education(in thousands of dollars)

.

Raise Standards of Achievement: Goals 2000 4. Community ELIMINATED 4 Iss Update is published by the Office of Improving the Basics: Title I Intergovernmental III 6,730,348 muiczn and Interagency Affairs. Safe and Drug-Free Schools 440,978 Assistant Secretary Strengthening Teacher Skills: I III ELIMINATED I ses MARIO MORENO Professional Development Senior Director Bring Computers Into Classrooms 48,000 JOHN McGRATH I Editor JOY BELIN Gifted and Talented Education III 3,000 I I I Designer BARBARA JULIUS Vocational Education 25 III 972,750 Conirnun'

No. 38, August 1996 U.S. Department of Secretary Riley Urges Americans To Get Involved in Education Education Editor's Note: The following letter from U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley urges all concerned citizens to get involved with improving their local schools. The Secretary's America Goes Back To School: Get Involved! program is supported by the more than 700 family, education, business, religious, and community groups in the Partnership for Family Involvement in Education. The national cochairs of America Goes Back To School are Joan Dykstra, National PTA President; Tipper Gore, wife of the Vice President and a lifelong child advocate; Bo Jackson, actorl businessman and Heisman Trophy winner; and Ted Sanders, President of Southern Illinois University.

f you're at all like America Goes Back To School: Get Involved! encour- Ime, you were both ages parents, grandparents, community leaders, employ- heartened and dismayed by results of some national ers and employees, members of the arts and scientific surveys conducted earlier this year confirming that communities, students, religious leaders, lay people, and Americans believe our number one priority should be every caring citizen to work together with schools and educating our nation's children. I was heartened to colleges to make education better and support learning know that people are finally putting education at the in- and outside the schools. Participants are asked to top of their priority lists; dismayed that some think support activities that meet the "Challenges to American our public schools are not up to the challenge. Education" that I identified in my third annual "State of With your involvement and leadership, we are up to American Education" address: 1) Make schools safe and the challenge. I would suggest that there is no better disciplined, a precondition for learning; 2) Encourage time than the beginning of this new school year for parent and family involvement; 3) Make America a family and community members to step forward and reading, literate society; 4) Reach for new levels of volunteer to work with administrators and teachers to excellence: achieve high standards and real accountabil- improve learning for our communities' children. ity; 5) Make computers available so all students will This month, every school in America will receive a succeed in the 21st century; 6) Prepare young people for packet of information about a nationwide initiative careers: a strong transition from school to work; and 7) called America Goes Back To School: Get Involved! Make college more accessible: keep the promise of the which encourages schools, families and community American dream. members to work together to make education better in Last year, parents, celebrities, elected officials, their communities. In its second year, America Goes athletes, artists, teachers, CEOs, authors, musicians, and Back To School gives people the opportunity to get astronauts went back to school to share their knowledge involved at the beginning of the school year and and skills and emphasize how important a good educa- continue with a year-long commitment. tion was to their success. Thirty years of research shows that when family As a new school year begins, I encourage you to and community members are directly involved in volunteer and help organize the many resources in your community to make learning the number one priority. Special Insert on Family Involvement(See inside) Rally around your schools and colleges and support their endeavors to prepare America's students for the 21st education, children achieve better grades and higher century. Not only will our young people win, but so test scores, have much higher reading comprehension, will your community. graduate at higher rates, are more likely to enroll in For more information about America Goes Back To higher education, and are better behaved. School: Get Involved, see the insert page. To receivea free activity kit, call I -800-USA-LEARN. Schools Face Budget Cuts Amid RisingEnrollments

Across the country, schools are preparing to U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley accommodate nearly 52 million students, the urged Congress to reconsider its proposal. "Our highest enrollment ever in our nation's history. students deserve to benefit from safe, drug-free, The influx of new students in almost every state and disciplined classrooms; extra help to learn the will be a defining feature of American education basics; higher academic standards; well-prepared over the next ten years. teachers; and access to modern technology. These President Clinton's 1997 budget request re- would be threatened by the House cuts." sponds to this record-setting enrollment with The chart below shows projected student increased investment in education within the enrollment increases for each state and the net loss framework of a plan to balance the federal budget. in funding that each state would incur if education The U.S. House of Representatives recently voted programs are funded at the levels proposed by the to cut President Clinton's 1997 budget request for U.S. House of Representatives instead of the education by $2.8 billion. levels proposed by President Clinton. Fig

Rising Student Enrollments and Net Loss in Funding Based on U.S. House Plan Enrollment Enrollment Loss of Funds State Increase, L033of Funds State increase, (in millions) 1995-97 (inmillions) 1995-97

Alabama 111,9;9QQ11:6, Alaska 7,000 lArizona 4TOOG Arkansas 5,000

California 350,000 ew MeXico Colorado 28,000 31 New York 251 .... :'Connecticut. 190:w4erseyA: 56 Delaware 9,000 9 North Dakota 11 .. District of Columbia 3,000 NOrtriCarolina:,., Florida 106,000 111 Ohio 25,000 ,Georgia 50,000 64 OklabOrrie 7,0 Hawaii 9,000 9 Oregon 20,000 26

5,000 12 _Pennsylvania 39,000 .110. Illinois 52,000 126 Rhode Island 4,000 11 Indiana 19,000 44 South Dakota 3,000 11 Iowa 3,000 23 South Carolina 18,000 35 Kansas 7,000 2 Tennessee

Kentucky 4,000 44 Texas 114,000 220

-,Louisiana Utah 7,000 19 Maine -1,000 Vermont 1,000 9 #1i00.0 Virginia; <49000 47

Massachusetts 28,000 48 Washington 51,000 42 . :::..... Michigan 29,000 106 West Virginia 2 Minnesota 13,000 36 Wisconsin 17,000 44 0 9 MisSissiPP 2,000 46. Wyoming Missouri 11,000 2747 Special Insert on Family Involvement

.11,1 e s Co Partnership 3°.1 Ol for Family .1 111

Involvement ,1,74 allr" 2-et in Education s Relig,°1

Back To School Events Planned Nationwide Led by the Chicago Academy of Sciences, a Church challenges local steering committee of businesses and commu- churches to become nity and school groups will begin a year-long involved in and support series of events to promote family and commu- education within their nity involvement in education. Adopting a local communities. different theme each month, the committee will host activities such as Parent Science Fair The Educational Workshops, College Nights, an Adopt-A- Publishing Group, a Senior Program, a Take Your Community to Partnership for Family Work Day, and a Spring Clean-up effort. Involvement in Educa- tion member, is launch- During the month of September, passengers on ing the Family Educa- United Airlines will view a video showing tion Network on examples of how employers and all caring September 10th as an 1/4 citizens can support improved learning in their America Goes Back to local schools. As a member of both the School event. The Employer's Promise and the AmericaGoes Family Education Back ToSchool: Get Involved! steering com- Network is the only mittees, United will show the video as a way of education-based family encouraging people from all walks of life to online service that make a commitment to support children's combines both online learning and increase family involvement in and traditional media to provide a wide range Last year, Spafford education. of information and activities for parents and Elementary School in children. The network gives parents the tools Flandreau, S.D. held The Family, School & Community I'tnership America Goes Back to in Indiana is involving ten schools in an action needed to become more active in the education School events during research project called Partners for Parent of their children. The address is their Native American Leadership. The Partnership will supp, rt www.families.com. Week with a variety of cultural activities. parents who are designing school-wide projects Mount Horeb School in Warren, N.J., is to improve children's learning. It will also implementing a year-long program called involve pre-service teachers so that they view "Students-Senior Connection" where senior parents as capable partners in the education of citizens work with students in classrooms on their children. related activities. The school is also beginning Emphasizing the need for religious communi- a program called "EPIC" in which the school ties to support children's learning, the United sponsors speakers on parenting skills and other Methodist Church recently released a report, related topics. The talks will be held during Education: TheGift of Hope. In this report, evenings throughout the school year and will sent to 40,000 churches across the country, the be open to the entire community. A A

1 c s ecretary of Education Richard W. Riley and the Partnership for Family Involvement in Education invite you and your organization to play a leading role in the "America Goes Back to School: Get Involved!" initiative. This effort focuses attention on improving education across America during the back-to-school time of August through October. The dr, 0, initiative is sponsored by the U. S. Department of Education; the over 700 R.10:0"' family, education, employer, religious, and community group members of the Partnership for Family Involvement in Education; and the America Goes Back to School Steering Committee, including co-chairs Tipper Gore; Bo Jackson; Joan Dykstra, National PTA President; and Ted Sanders, President of Southern Illinois University. America Goes Back to School: Get Involved! encourages parents, grandparents, community leaders, employers and employees, members of the arts community, religious leaders, and every caring adult to play a more active role in improving education in their communities. Specifically, it will focus on the following issues, which the American people have said their schools should address: Making schools safe, disciplined and drug-free: A precondition for learning Encouraging parental and family involvement Helping America become a reading, literate society Reaching for new levels of excellence: Achieve high standards and real accountability Making technology available so all children will succeed in the 21st century Preparing young people for careers: A strong transition from school to work Making college more accessible: Keep the promise of the American dream We invite you to choose one or several of these issues to highlight inyour community. You can work with your local schools, colleges, and community, religious, and employer groups to plan activities that will focus on one or more of these areas. Back-to-school materials are available and will be mailed to every principal in thecountry. To receive your own copy, call 1-800-USA-LEARN. These materials containnumerous suggested activities for families, schools, colleges, businesses, religious and community groups, as well as a colorful collage poster featuring children's artwork that has won awards in National PTA competitions. Last year, thousands of individuals went back to school across the country. Thisyear, we want to encourage even more Americans to join us and Get Involved! in their local schools. "America Goes Back to School: Get Involved!" is endorsed by the National Association of Elementary School Principals, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the Council of Chief State School Officers, the Council for American Private Education, the American Association of School Administrators, the National Coalition for Parent Involvement in Education, the National PTA, the National Coalition of Title I/Chapter 1 Parents, theNa- tional Education Association, the National School Boards Association, and the American Federation of Teachers. Come on, America...let's go Back to School! CII

If youalready have an America Goes Back to School event planned, contactus so we can tell others about your activities. Send your name, or the name ofyour school, organization or employer, an address and contact name, phone and fax numbers, e-mail address, anda description of your event or activity. Be sure to include the date(s), location and listof participants. Send the information to: Jennifer Ballen, U.S. Department of Education,600 Independence Ave. S.W., Room 2200, Washington, D.C., 20202. Fax eventsto (202) 401- 3130 or E-mail: agbts @ed.gov. professor of mathematics at Western College in ExpeCt Success of Girls Westminister, Md.; and Judy Horan, Assistant and Boys, Town Meeting Principal at Norco Intermediate School in Corona, Calif. Participants Urge In her closing remarks, Deputy Secretary Kunin, The key to helping girls and boys achieve is who has been appointed as U.S. Ambassador to having high expectations for their success, Switzerland reflected on her service as Deputy July's Town Meeting participants agreed. The Secretary. She related the excitement she has felt program focused on encouraging girls to excel in when visiting schools where the belief that all math, science, and technology, fields where job children can learn has helped students overcome opportunities are growing the fastest. barriers such as poverty and excel in learning. "Our greatest challenge is to make sure that every In a taped opening message to the program, Firstteacher and parent in this country gives children Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton said, "...It is incum- that kind of encouragement so that we can have bent upon us to provide all our children boys excellence of opportunity for all of our children," and girls with the knowledge and skills they Deputy Secretary Kunin said. need to lead our country into the 21st century." U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley echoed The Education Department has a packet of this theme, "We're entering a new economic age, amaterials with useful tips for enhancing educa- high-tech age with intense global competition, and tional opportunities for girls, as well as informa- we don't have a person to waste." tion on other resources to support these efforts. To request the materials, call 1-800-USA-LEARN. The important role that the business community can play in strengthening educational opportunities for children was recognized by several panelists. "There are many ways that the corporate sector can September 17 be involved in supporting programs not just in funding them directly, but providing meeting space Satellite Town and having employee volunteers attend your schools and give presentations on the huge range Meeting Kicks Off of jobs in any company," said Gloria De Necochea, 1996-97 Season Manager of the Mattel Foundation. To reinforce students' belief in themselves, the With a special "Back to School" program, role of parents and caring adults was discussed as the September Town Meeting will air live critical. "The input of parents cannot be underesti-on Tuesday, September 17 from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 mated," said Wendy Hilliard, President of the p.m. Eastern time. The Town Meeting will focus Women's Sports Foundation, "and having that on how to get the entire community actively belief of the important teacher, coach, or adminis- involved in improving local schools. Please note trator to keep you going." that the new broadcast time at 8:00 p.m. will Other guest panelists included Melanie remain throughout the 1996-97 season. Call 1- DewBerry, Director of Programs for Girls Incorpo-800 -USA -LEARN for information on satellite rated in San Leandro, Calif.; Skip Fennel, a coordinates. ra

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A special ceremony was held at the U.S. ties to take part in a great national movement to Department of Education last month in memory of make their schools better and provide a quality Terrel H. Bell, who served as Education Secretary education to every child." from 1981 through 1984. Terrel Bell issued "A U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley Nation at Risk,"the report that inspired a national "He is one of our nation's greatest examples in commitmentto excellence in American education. the course of the past four decades of striving to U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley and put support for education on everyone's agenda Deputy Secretary Madeleine Kunin attended the on a bipartisan agenda." memorial ceremony along with other leaders Gordon Ambach, Executive Director, including U.S. Senators Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Council for Chief State School Officers Paul Simon (D-III.). Below are some of their "...A committed educator, who no matter what remarks: his status or responsibility, saw his ultimate purpose as the improvement of education for all of America's children." "Terrel Bell's boldness and leadership inspired millions of Americans in thousands of communi- Milt Goldberg, Senior Vice President of Education, National Alliance of Business U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION POSTAGE AND FEES PAID WASHINGTON, D.C. 20202--0498 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OFFICIAL BUSINESS Permit NO. 0-17 PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE $300 FIRST CLASS

Issue No. 38

17513-4 Ms. -June -5mith AquiSitioneSecretary Eric/Ir 030 Huntington H811 Syracuse UriverSity, NY 13244

ittillit lilt!! 11111 11

Feinstein Foundation Involves Students in Community Service olunteering to serve the community is a vital are awarded for outstanding community projects. learning experience in good citizenship, and, Opportunities for high school students include as recent studies show, an enhancement to overall the Louis Feinstein-Horatio Alger Association academic performance. For all students, whether Humanitarian Award. In each state and the or not they are college-bound, community service District of Columbia, one outstanding high school cultivates leadership ability, self-confidence, and junior is recognized for exemplary community critical thinking. Corporate executives say the service and awarded a $5000 savings bond. The qualities they want in a productive worker mirror Louis Feinstein Memorial Scholarship Fund aspects of good citizenship: initiative, teamwork, provides scholarships of $10,000 to high school and problem-solving skills. students who have demonstrated high scholastic The Feinstein Foundation, headquartered in achievement and a commitment to community Cranston, R.I., provides a wealth of opportunities service. At a school-wide level, 43 public and for students from elementary school through the private high schools in Rhode Island have re- university level to get involved in community ceived grants of between $20,000 and $25,000 to service. Developed by business leader and establish community service learning programs as philanthropist Alan Shawn Feinstein, the pro- part of the curriculum. Eighteen of these schools grams reach students throughout Rhode Island and were awarded additional $25,000 grants to set up nationwide. a student-run philanthropy program where stu- More than 70,000 elementary school students in dents review requests from community agencies Rhode Island participate in the "I Can Make A and award grants. Difference" program. Students are provided with At the college level, an innovative bachelor's Community Update is published activity journals where they explore the theme of degree program in public/community service by the Office of helping others and record their good deeds. The studies was established at Providence College Intergovernmental program is reinforced in each school through through a $5 million grant from the Feinstein and Interagency children's theater productions, performances by Foundation. The Enriching America Program has Affairs. folk singers, instructional guides, and videos. The awarded grants of $1 million each to four Rhode Assistant "I Can Make A Difference" program is being Island postsecondary institutions: Johnson and Secretary disseminated nationally at the fifth grade level. Wales, the New England Institute of Technology, MARIO MORENO The Youth Hunger Brigade Project for junior Salve Regina, and the University of Rhode Island. Senior Director high students has also been disseminated nation- At these schools, students are required to com- ally and has been implemented at 68 public and JOHN McGRATH plete a course in community service in order to private middle schools in Rhode Island. Students graduate. Editor research the causes of hunger and take action to For more information about the community JOY BELIN address the problem in their own communities. A service programs of the Feinstein Foundation, Designer curriculum guide, developed at the Feinstein write: The Feinstein Foundation, 37 Alhambra BARBARA JULIUS World Hunger Program at Brown University, is Circle, Cranston, R.I., 02905. rzi provided to all participating schools, and grants 01 Commwn'ty

No. 39, September 1996 from the trend of rising enrollments in the 1960's U.S. Department of "Baby Boom Echo" that dropped off more quickly. Education Heightens Need for As schools open this fall, a record 51.7 million students will enter the nation's public and private Education Action elementary and secondary schools. By the year The nation's public and private elementary 2006, enrollment will grow to 54.6 million students. and secondary schools will enroll more students this fall than ever, and student enroll- While America's school-age population will ments will continue to rise annually for the next continue to rise, the base of workers who are decade, according to a_special back-to-school supporting the retirement-age population will be report released by U.S. Secretary of Education declining. In 1970 the ratio of workers to retirees Richard Riley. was 5 to 1, but by the year 2030, the ratio will have Emphasizing that this pool of students repre- dropped to about 2.6 to 1. sents America's future leaders and the workforce Many states and communities will experience who will support the retirees of the baby boom acute pressures to hire new teachers and build new generation, Secretary Riley heightened the call schools. The Baby Boom Echo report estimates that for investment in approximately 190,000 additional teachers and education and 6,000 more schools will be needed nationwide over Enrollment in Private Elementary active participa- the next 10 years. Record expansions in K-12 so and Secondary Schools tion in local education will also lead to record-setting enrollment (in millions) schools. in our nation's colleges. "If we rise to Secretary Riley urged Americans to regard the the occasion, by challenge of rising enrollments as an opportunity to providing all secure our nation's future by taking active roles in 50 students with the educating young people. The Secretary's America skills and Goes Back to School: Get Involved! program knowledge suggests a variety of ways that parents and all demanded by the caring adults can participate in local schools, jobs of the next including tutoring children in reading, providing ao 1 I I century, we can work-study experiences, serving as mentors, '9192 93 9495 9697 98 992000 01 expect rising sponsoring after-school activities, and patrolling FALL incomes and school grounds. (For more information about the solid economic program and a free Partners' Activity Guide, call 1- growth," Secre- 800- USA - LEARN.) tary Riley said. "Now is the time to invest in America's future. We need a record-breaking During the week of September 9-13, Secretary number of parents and other caring adults to Riley will officially launch the second annual invest the time, energy, and resources it will take America Goes Back to School program with a to raise our children right." number of special events highlighting the impor- tance of parents, grandparents, employers and employees, and community and religious leaders becoming actively involved with local schools. The report, entitled The Baby Boom Echo, The Baby Boom Echo report is available on the notes that the current trend of enrollment in- Education Department's home page at http:// creases is a long, slow, rising wave, which differs www.ed.gov/NCES/pubs. 32 "Back-to-School" Town U.S. Department of Education Meeting Will Look At Satellite Town Meeting Involving the Community 1996-97 Series Schedule The September Satellite Town Meeting will kick off the 1996-97 series with a special Tuesday, September 17, 1996 "Back to School" program. at 8:00 p.m. E.T. Entitled "Back to School: Getting Your "Back to School: Getting Your Community Community Involved," the hour-long Town Meeting will air on Tuesday, September 17 at Involved" 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The program will be closed-captioned and will be simulcast in Tuesday, October 15, 1996 Spanish. at 8:00 p.m. E.T. U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley "Technology and Teacher Leadership: 21st will welcome educators and local leaders from Century Teachers" around the country who are working in success- ful partnerships to achieve comprehensive school improvement. The program will explore Tuesday, November 19, 1996 how parents, educators, business people, and at 8:00 p.m. E.T. religious and community leaders can be actively "Schools as Safe Havens: Discipline, Safety, involved in improving local schools, which is and Truancy Prevention" the theme of the second annual America Goes Back to School national campaign. Discussion NOTE: The Town Meeting will not be topics will include making schools safe, disci- plined, and drug-free; encouraging parental and broadcast in December. family involvement; achieving high standards and real accountability; bringing computers into Tuesday, January 21, 1997 the classroom; and preparing young people for at 8:00 p.m. E.T. careers. `The New American High School: Preparing The Department of Education produces the Youth for College and Careers" Satellite Town Meeting series in partnership with the National Alliance of Business and the Tuesday, February 18, 1997 Center for Workforce Preparation with support at 8:00 p.m. E.T. from the Procter and Gamble Fund. "Making College More Accessible" Satellite coordinates are as follows.... C-Band: Galaxy 9, Orbital Location 123 Tuesday, March 18, 1997 degrees West; Transponder 1; Vertical Polarity; at 8:00 p.m. E.T. Channel 1; Downlink Frequency 3720 MHz; `School-to-Work Opportunities: Workplaces Audio Subcarriers 6.2 MHz (Spanish) and 6.8 MHz (English). as Learning Environments" Ku-Band: SBS-6, Orbital Location 74 Tuesday, April 15, 1997 degrees West; Transponder 17; Horizontal at 8:00 p.m. E.T. Polarity; Channel 17; Downlink Frequency 12120 MHz; Audio Subcarriers 6.2 MHz (Span- "Charter Schools, Magnet Schools, and Other ish) and 6.8 MHz (English). Choices in Public Education" To participate in the Satellite Town Meeting, contact your local Public Broadcasting System Tuesday, May 20, 1997 (PBS) member station, Chamber of Commerce, at 8:00 p.m. E.T. or Johnson Controls branch office and ask if your group can use the facility as a downlink "Becoming a Reading, Litei-ate Society" site. Other possible sites are local schools, public libraries, community colleges, cable Tuesday, June 17, 1997 television stations, universities and technical at 8:00 p.m. E.T. schools, government offices, hospitals, busi- "Ready to Learn: Preparing Young Children nesses, hotels, or even private residences with for School Success" satellite dishes. Call 1-800-USA-LEARN for further information or to register your participa- tion. El 33 ea' Partnership for Family Involvement in Education

Back To School Events Planned Nationwide Even before the bell rings for the 1996-97 The 2400 Boys and Girls Clubs across the school year, many Hardee's restaurants in the country will receive America Goes Back to Southeast are getting involved with their local School: Get Involved! kits from their national schools to improve learning for all students. As organization. The kit contains the Partners' a new partner in the America Goes Back to Activity Guide with tips for planning back-to- School: Get Involved! initiative, Hardee's school events and involving community franchise restaurants, owned and operated by partners, a bookmark, and a colorful poster.El Flagstar Companies, Inc., will host Benefit Nights throughout the school year to support local schools in achieving new levels of excel- Link Up with America lence and in acquiring new technology for their Goes Back to School Online students. Flagstar Hardee's are concentrated All the information you need to launch an primarily in Alabama, North Carolina, South America Goes Back to School: Get Involved! Carolina, and Tennessee. partnership is available through the U.S. Depart- The Educational Publishing Group, a Partner- ment of Education's home page. The full text of ship for Family Involvement in Education the Partners' Activity Guide, with useful tips on member, is launching the Family Education how to involve community partners in your Network on September 12th as an America efforts, can be accessed via the World Wide Web Goes Back to School event. (Note this change at http://www.ed.gov/Family/agbts. from the date'repOrted last month.) The net- If you already have a back-to-school event work gives parents the tools needed to become planned, contact us online so we can tell others more active in the education of their children. about your activities. You can access a sign-up The address is http//www.families.com. sheet from the World Wide Web address above, Committed to encouraging Family/School add your information, and e-mail it back to involvement in the America Goes Back to [email protected]. School: Get Involved! initiative, the National America Goes Back to School is a year-round PTA is launching a nationwide campaign. The commitment to improve learning, so it's not too National PTA will be sending the Family/ late to get involved. For more information, call 1- School Partnership Promise to its 27,000 local 800- USA LEARN. units, encouraging its members to have their schools sign on to the Partnership for Family Involvement in Education. In addition, infor- mation on America Goes Back to School: Get IP *0 Involved! has been sent to all members. The 0 0 National PTA will also feature the Family- 'e -3 e f School Partnership Promise and America Goes :14 C C toe Back to School information on its World Wide Web site. 3 4 Birmingham Students Summit Highlights Succeeded with Religious Groups' Support READ*WRITE*NOW! of Education This summer 1700 children participated in a Education Secretary Richard Riley traveled special reading and writing program coordi- to Wilmington, Del. on July 29 to partici- nated by the Birmingham, Ala. public schools. pate in a Religion and Education Summit that Students enrolled in "Camp Birmingham" used drew religious, community, and school leaders materials from the Education Department's from across Delaware, Philadelphia, and south- READ*WRITE*NOW national reading and ern New Jersey. The purpose of the summit writing program for one hour a day, five days per was to highlight the important role that reli- week, over the course of the summer. Participants gious organizations play in encouraging and read over 20,000 books. A special awards cer- enabling families to be more involved in their emony was held to recognize students' accom- children's education. plishments in achieving reading goals and Individuals and groups were challenged to strengthening reading and writing skills. Fa work with their local neighborhood school to help young people in four specific areas: Community Volunteers reading, technology, providing safe after-school activities, and preparing young people for Staff Model Tutoring college through extra tutoring. Participants also agreed on the importance of encouraging Program parents to find an extra 30 minutes a day to read y n Jackson, Tenn., members of local churches with their children and check their homework. I have developed a successful tutoring pro- Reverend Christopher Bullock of the Eighth gram that is making a difference in the lives of Street Baptist Church in Wilmington called children and families. The program is staffed upon the religious leaders in attendance to join completely by volunteers, receiving no outside him in signing on to the Partnership for Family funds and requiring a minimal time commit- Involvement in Education by supporting a ment. Organizers are confident this program pledge developed by a widely representative could be replicated in many communities across group of religious leaders. The pledge, entitled the country. the Statement of Common Purpose, acknowl- edges the unique role of religious communities Members of 10 churches in Jackson are in strengthening family life. tutoring children in grades kindergarten through high school. The program will expand to 11 Reverend Vin Harwell, Pastor of First and more churches in the fall. Each church designs Central Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, its own tutoring system that fits the talents of its shared the successes of his parish in involving membership and the availability of its facilities. the employees of local businesses in parent Continuity is provided by assigning children education classes conducted during the lunch regular tutors and by keeping progress charts onhour. Building on this relationship, Reverend each child in case familes move to a new Harwell is now working with the employers in church. his area who are encouraging their employees to volunteer to tutor young people after school. The tutoring program involves the school district and local businesses as partners. During In southern, N.J., inner-city youngsters were the school year, volunteers use the "Lesson tutored over the summer by student volunteers Line" set up by the school district to coordinate from St. Joseph's Preparatory School in Phila- with teachers and parents by telephone. Local delphia. Mr. Shay Auerbach, who coordinates supermarkets and businesses have supported the the program, reported that students benefited on tutoring program by donating refreshments. both sides of the equation. Students being tutored strengthened their basic skills, and Currently, 350 children are being tutored eachtutors gained leadership and community service week by community volunteers, and more experience. children will be served when the program expands this fall. "The kids and tutors develop Participants left the summit pledging to work a mutual bond that crosses all barriers age, together and echoing the sentiments of Secre- race, religion, and background," said Jimmy tary Riley to help parents slow down their lives England, one of the program's organizers. and give families, guardians, and grandparents Volunteers agree that involvement is simple the extra support they need to keep children they contribute their knowledge and skills away from drugs, smoking, and television and the entire community is the winner. El violence. ral Regional Conferences WillMake the Most of Parent- Explore Coordinating Teacher Conferences Federal Support Communication between parents and teachers is ryl his year the Education Department is sponsor- vital to help children reach their full potential '. ing 3 regional conferences on comprehensive, in learning. Often busy schedules limit the time standards-based school reform. The focus of the that parents and teachers can share information, so conferences will be how states and communities making the most of opportunities such as confer- can best utilize federal resources in a coordinated ences becomes even more important. The editors strategy to strengthen their comprehensive reform of Parenting for High Potential, a new magazine efforts. The programs to be discussed will include published by the National Association for Gifted Goals 2000, the Improving America's Schools Act Children (NAGC), have compiled the following (IASA), the Individuals with Disabilities Act list of questions to help parents prepare for (IDEA), the School-to-Work Opportunities Act, conferences with their children's teachers. and the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Act. 1. How is my child's class structured? What is a Grantees under all programs administered by the typical day like? Education Department's Offices of Elementary and 2. Does my child seem happy at school? Secondary Education (OESE) and Bilingual Education and Minority Languages Affairs 3. What do you see as my child's special interests (OBEMLA) are invited to participate in the and strengths? What can I do at home to help regional conferences. Grantees from many pro- my child develop his/her talents? grams administered through the Offices of Educa- 4. Are there any subject areas where my child tional Research and Improvement (OERI), Voca- needs extra help or seems less motivated? tional and Adult Education (OVAE), and Special How can I assist in those areas? Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) 5. Does my child seem challenged by the aca- will also gain useful insights into how federal demic work or does he/she seem to complete it programs can work together to promote compre- with little effort? hensive school improvement. 6. How does my child react to trying new things? Check your state below to find out which What about his/her reaction to making mis- conference to attend. takes? IAS Regional Conference in St. Louis, Mo., 7. How does my child interact with other children September 24-26, 1996 and adults? Does he/she seem well-accepted Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, among his/her peers? Are there any behavior Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, problems? Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North 8. What level of parental involvement is encour- Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Dakota, aged regarding my child's homework assign- Texas, Vermont, and Wisconsin ments? IAS Regional Conference in San Francisco, 9. How are my child's creative thinking and Calif., October 20-22, 1996 problem-solving skills? What do you recom- Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, mend for development in these areas? Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, 10. What appropriate after-school opportunities Utah, Washington, Wyoming, American Samoa, are available for my child in the school or Federated States of Micronesia, Commonwealth of community? the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau Parenting for High Potential is a quarterly magazine which premieres in September. The IAS Regional Conference in Atlanta, Ga., first issue features an interview with Education November 20-22, 1996 Secretary Richard Riley on how parents can get Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of involved in their children's education. Each issue Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, of the magazine will include tips from experts, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, reviews of books and computer software for North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Caro- children, and a pullout section for students. lina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Puerto To order the magazine, contact the National Rico, and the Virgin Islands Association for Gifted Children, 1707 L Street, For additional information, contact http:// N.W., Suite 550, Washington, D.C., 20036. The www.ed.gov/legislation/ESEA/iasaconf/. phone number is (202) 785-4268. Ezi 36 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION POSTAGE AND FEES PAID WASHINGTON, D.C. 20202--0498 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Permit NO. 0.1/ OFFICIAL BUSINESS PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE $300 FIRST CLASS

175134 Ms. Juns Smith Aquisit ions Secretary Er ic/Ir 030 Huntington Hall Syracuse University, NY 13244

teachers and schools can post their requests to Houston Links the community for assistance, computers, equipment, and volunteers. Donors with re- Community Resources to sources to offer and companies with surplus Education Needs supplies to give away are also linked to the The Houston Education Resource Network Community Exchange. (HERN) is an online service and Internet With its networking potential and extensive site that supports community partners working resource bank, HERN benefits its many users. together to improve learning for all students. Parents can explore enrichment opportunities Parents, teachers, principals, counselors, site- for students. Teachers can search for classroom based management teams, businesses, nonprofit speakers, tutors, field trip ideas, tickets to organizations, and social service agencies can events, and lesson materials. Principals can access a database of over 8,000 community create forums with other schools, sharing ideas resources and also find quick Internet links to to promote high achievement. Counselors can the City of Houston, the Houston Public Li- search the HERN database for after-school brary, the Smithsonian, major universities, the programs, social services, and information on U.S. Department of Education, and other sites. colleges such as admission requirements and Designed to help those with the greatest financial aid. needs and the least resources, HERN is acces- HERN was made possible by a gift to the sible to users with minimal computing capacity. Houston community in 1993 by the Robert and HERN provides individual e-mail accounts and Janice McNair Foundation. full Internet access with no hourly charges or HERN's Internet address is http:// user fees. www.rice.edu/hern. For more information, call Community Update is published The "Community Exchange" area of HERN (713) 951-7810 or write the Houston Education by the Office of matches needs of educators and schools with Resource Network, 1600 Smith Street, Suite Intergovernmental resources and donors. With an online form, 4300, Houston, Texas, 77002-7345. ra and Interagency Affairs. , "II'I / 41 1 Assistant 0 " ' 41 "I Secretary 41 11 0 ^' " MARIO MORENO I I ' 11 I Senior Director Of ' I Of,- e I "I I" " JOHN McGRATH " 41 41 11 0 II e

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JOY BELIN /I 41 I 0 I.II I ill "I' IP Designer II ' 0 ' 0 I * - 0 I O.. ' I BARBARA JULIUS . Ile.- -. 0 1 4141 J MI/11k/Ilk M41111k/Ilk ow/Ink ate

No. 40, October 1996 U.S. Department of Landmark FCC Decision Will Impact Budgets and Education Student Learning for Next Decade Editor's note: On February 8, 1996, President Clinton signed into law the Telecommunications Act of 1996. This law affects the affordability of telecommunications services for schools, libraries, and rural health care providers. The law mandates that the FCC create a federal-state Joint Board and that this body make recommendations about what services are eligible for discounts and what those discounts should be. By November 8, an advisory board of the every classroom and library connected to the FCC will recommend action on the issue of Internet by the year 2000. In addition to the issue whether schools and libraries will receive sub- of free and affordable rates for service, schools stantially discounted rates in order to access the face other challenges in order to meet the Information Superhighway. The recommenda- President's goal. tions of the "Joint Board," made up of three FCC President Clinton has proposed the Technology Commissioners, four State Public Utility Com- Literacy Challenge Fund to provide teachers and missioners, and one consumer utility advocate, students with the training and support they need to will influence the final decision of the FCC by use computers as a learning tool. The Challenge May 8, 1997. The decision will determine for the calls on businesses and nonprofit organizations to "Every effort next decade the rates that schools and libraries assist with training along with providing class- should be made must pay for telecommunications services. rooms with access to modern computers and to give our "Informal" comment on the FCC decision will developing engaging software to support the school nation's schools not be accepted after November 8. U.S. Secretary curriculum. The initiative also requests $2 billion and libraries free of Education Richard Riley testified before the from Congress over 5 years to help communities achieve these goals. access to the newJoint Board, urging members to ensure that schools and libraries will be able to afford Related programs supported by the Education telecommunicationsconnections to the wealth of educational re- Department requiring no funding include the 21st world that is now sources on the Information Superhighway. Century Teachers Initiative, which seeks to recruit emerging..." "Every effort should be made to give our 100,000 teachers to volunteer to train their col- Education nation's schools and libraries free access to the leagues in utilizing technology to its fullest advan- Secretary new telecommunications world that is now tage. NetDay is a nationwide effort which calls emerging or at least access at substantially for volunteers to help wire schools for connection Richard Riley discounted or affordable rates," Secretary Riley to the Internet. A successful NetDay in California said. "We will very rapidly give a generation of has prompted over 30 states to plan NetDays this young people the opportunity to develop skills month. they need to enter this new knowledge-based For information on NetDay activities in your state, go to the Education Department's World rolanr:setti on all m n fsediegirderr . Wide Web site at http://www.ed.goilfechnology. 741i You can also call 1-800-55-NET96 for information economy. ... This is something that every busi- on state contacts, volunteer. registration, a wiring ness leader in America has been asking us to do kit, and local business partners. for over a decade. Why not make this our For more information on the upcoming FCC national mission?" decisions affecting schools, locate the FCC site on President Clinton has set a goal of having the World Wide Web at http://www.fcc.gov. October Town Meeting New Guide Available for , Will Focus on Technology Creating Safe Schools and Teacher Leadership Avaluable new resource to promote school safety will be sent to every school superinten- The October Town Meeting will look at how dent in the country later this month. Creating schools and communities can better support Safe and Drug-Free Schools: An Action Guide, is teachers as they learn more about the technology a joint publication of the U.S. Department of they need to prepare students for the 21st century. Justice and the U.S. Department of Education. The resource helps school administrators and Entitled "Technology and Teacher Leadership: community leaders establish safe and drug-free 21st Century Teachers," the hour-long Town school environments where students can learn to Meeting will air on Tuesday, October 15 at 8:00 their full potential. The booklet discusses issues p.m. Eastern Time. The program will be closed- such as truancy, alternative schools, mentoring, captioned and will be simulcast in Spanish. and searches for weapons and drugs, providing U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley will action steps for students, teachers, parents, and welcome educators and local leaders from around community members. A guide to further re- the country who are working together to help sources is also included. teachers bring the benefits of technology to the To request a copy of Creating Safe and Drug- classroom. The program will explore how Free Schools: An Action Guide, call 1-800- 624- teachers can use technology to amplify classroom 0100. Eilj lessons, connect to a wealth of online resources, and create new ways for students to learn. Secre- tary Riley and his guests will also discuss how National Commission training teachers is essential so they can use computer and online technologies to their fullest Issues Report on High- advantage in the cla.ssroom, and how supporting Quality Teaching technology as a learning tool can involve parents, businesses, and the entire community. ast month, the National Commission on I4Teaching and America's Future issued The Department of Education produces the recommendations for promoting excellence and Satellite Town Meeting series in partnership with accountablity in the teaching profession. The the National Alliance of Business and the Center bipartisan panel, comprised of teachers and other for Workforce Preparation with support from the education leaders, business representatives, and Bayer Foundation and the Procter and Gamble elected officials, reported that raising teaching Fund. standards, rewarding practitioners for their Satellite coordinates are as follows.... knowledge and skills, and structuring schools to support teachers would lead to better results in the C-Band: Galaxy 9, Orbital Location 123 classroom. degrees West; Transponder 21; Vertical Polarity; President Clinton and U.S. Secretary of Educa- Channel 21; Downlink Frequency 4120 MHz; tion Richard Riley praised the work of the com- Audio Subcarriers 6.2 MHz (Spanish) and 6.8 mission for renewing the nation's focus on the MHz (English). quality of teaching at a time when record in- Ku-Band: SBS-6, Orbital Location 74 degrees creases in student enrollment will require districts West; Transponder 17; Horizontal Polarity; to hire an additional 2 million teachers over the Channel 17; Downlink Frequency 12120 MHz; next decade. Emphasizing the importance of good Audio Subcarriers 6.2 MHz (Spanish) and 6.8 teaching to good schools, the President and MHz (English). Secretary Riley have outlined four challenges to To participate in the Satellite Town Meeting, providing a high-quality education for every contact your local Public Broadcasting System student: recruiting and retaining talented teachers; (PBS) member station, Chamber of Commerce, or requiring tough licensing and certification stan- Johnson Controls branch office and ask if your dards; honoring and recognizing the importance of group can use the facility as a downlink site. the teaching profession, and removing incompe- Other possible sites are local schools, public tent teachers fairly and quickly; and identifying libraries, community colleges, cable television and rewarding superior teachers. stations, universities and technical schools, "Every child needs and deserves dedi- government offices, hospitals, businesses, hotels, cated, outstanding teachers, who know their or even private residences with satellite dishes. subject matter, are effectively trained, and know Call 1-800-USA-LEARN for further information how to teach to high standards and to make or to register your participation. ej learning come alive for students," President 39 Clinton said. ra Communities Nationwide Celebrate "Back To School " Editor's note: Communities across the country have planned more than 500 events as part of the America Goes Back to School: Get Involved!initiative. This effort encourages all Americans parents, grandparents, employers and employees, members of the arts community, religious leaders, and every caring adult to rally around their local schools and make a commitment to support learn- ing throughout the year. Here's a sample of recent local events that have taken place. U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley Elementary School to inaugurate an innovative participated in the kickoff event of a year-long high-tech program. A family-school network series of back-to-school activities in Chicago, Ill. will be created by placing computers in all third on August 30. The Chicago effort is a broad grade classrooms as well as in the homes of all partnership between local schools, businesses, third grade students and teachers. The project and cultural and community groups, chaired by will be supported by extensive teacher training Jennifer Blitz. Among the activities planned is a and parent workshops so that the new communi- series of workshops to help students and parents cation system can be utilized to its full poten- work together on science fair projects so that tial. learning is a family experience. The kickoff In Pittsburgh, Pa., on September 10, Secretary event was held at the Chicago Academy of Riley visited McCleary Elementary School Science's Nature Museum. where representatives from local community On September 3, Secretary Riley rang the organizations joined together in support of opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange, greater parent involvement in student learning. hosted by New York Stock Exchange CEO The Girl Scouts, the Urban League, the Boys Richard Grasso and President William Johnston. and Girls Clubs, the Carnegie Museums, and the Secretary Riley was joined by New York City Bayer, Westinghouse, Grable and Heinz Foun- students involved in ScholarshipBuilder, a dations formally signed on as members of the program of the National Urban League and Partnership for Family Involvement in Educa- Merrill Lynch, which encourages inner-city tion. These organizations provide students with youth to graduate from high school by providing before-and-after-school and summer programs, educational activities and tutoring. The New safe neighborhood environments, and super- York Stock Exchange participates in the Teach- vised recreational activities.53 the-Teacher program, Day on the Trading Floor program for professors, and the Junior Achieve- ment Applied Economics program, which allows Save the Date! employees to teach in local schools. Chairman National Community Education Day, Grasso has also participated in the Principal for dedicated to "Celebrating Community," A Day program. will spotlight community education efforts In Baltimore, Md., on September 9, Secretary on Tuesday November 19, 1996, as part Riley, Governor Glendening, and Superintendent of the 75th observance of National Grasmick participated in an event at Logan Education Week. National Conference Will Family-School Steering Discuss Better Education Group Signs Mission as Everybody's Business Statement T eading education experts and senior execu- At a ceremony prior to the September Satellite tives from major companies will examine Town Meeting (see story p. 5), representa- new efforts to improve American education at the tives of the Family-School Steering Group of the local level during The Conference Board's 1997 Partnership for Family Involvement in Education Business and Education Conference. The confer- formally signed the Family/School Mission ence, with the theme, "Better Education is Statement. The statement declares, "We believe Everybody's Business," will be held May 15-16, in building and promoting mutual trust and 1996 in Boston, Mass. Sponsors of the confer- respect between families and schools, and also ence include John Hancock Financial Services, between the schools and the community at large." Southern California Edison, Hewlett-Packard Secretary of Education Richard Riley presided Company, United Airlines, Hemmings Motor over the ceremony. News, IBM, Pizza Hut, Inc., Mattel Corporation, The Educational Publishing Group, Inc., ACT The following key groups were representedat Inc., and the U.S. Department of Education. the signing ceremony: the PTA; the National U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley Association of Elementary School Principals will address the conference, providingan update (NAESP); the Title I Parents Association; the on the Partnership for Family Involvement in National Coalition for Parent Involvement in Education, which now comprises more than 1,500 Education (NCPIE); the American Association of schools, businesses, and community, education, School Administrators; the National School parent, and religious organizations. Through the Boards Association; the Council for American partnership, member employers and business Private Education; the National Association of organizations havetaken a lead role in strengthen- Secondary School Principals (NASSP); the ing family involvement in children's learning. Council of Chief State School Officers; the The conference will spotlight new corporate American Federation of Teachers; and the Na- policies and practices to support family and tional Education Association rim employee involvement in education, featuring case studies. The Conference Board's "Best in Class" awards will recognize leading American Teleconference Will companies that have excelled at improving Explore Parent education. For more information, contact The Conference Involvement Board-Customer Service Information at (212) 339 0345.0 The National Parents' Day Coalition,a partnership of individuals and organiza- tions focusing on the long-term needs of Find Out About Parent parenting professionals, is sponsoring an interactive satellite teleconference on the Involvement Programs evening of November 2. A toll-free number and Practices will allow participants across the country to ver 50 national organizations will be exhib- take part in the discussion, and the telecon- iting their programs and materialson ference will also be simulcast on the World family-school-community partnerships at an Wide Web with access available to CU- information fair sponsored by The National SeeMe users. The topic for the teleconfer- Coalition for Parent Involvement in Education ence is "Parental Involvement: What Does It (NCPIE). The event will be held Wednesday, Mean?" October 30, 1996, from 10 a.m. to 3p.m. at the The teleconference is part of a conference NEA Auditorium, located at 1201 16th Street, that will be held in Orlando, Fla., from N.W. in Washington, D.C. In support of the October 31 to November 3, 1996. The America Goes Back to School national campaign, theme of the conference is "Strengthening the information fair will highlight successful Families--Building Communities." programs, practices, and partnerships in commu- nities across the country involving parents, If you would like to participate in this conference, contact the National Parents' educators, employers, and religious andcommu- nity leaders. Day Coalition at 202-530-0849 oraccess For more information about the event, call Sue their home page on the World Wide Web at Ferguson at (202 822 -8405 or Sara Melnick at http://www.parentsday.org. (703) 836-4880.1M Town Meeting Panelists employees as parents with classes on parenting and preparing a child for college. "Doing some of Share Successes in these things for our employees has really been a payback to the corporation," she said. "Our Community Involvement employees feel better about the company." The September Satellite Town Meeting kicked off the new school year with success stories The ways that religious groups can support from around the country of communities rallying parents were discussed by panelist Vin Harwell, around local schools. Many of the featured pastor of the First and Central Presbyterian communities are taking part in the America Goes Church in Wilmington, Del. His parish offers Back to School: Get Involved! campaign, which parent education classes during the day for encourages all Americans to make a commitment working parents, and helping busy parents meet throughout the year to support student learning. the time crunch to be involved in their children's learning is a focus. "Part of it is having the skills Assistant Secretary Sharon Robinson reported to help children take their education seriously on a recent visit to her high school alma mater in whether it's taking a few moments to read a book Louisville, Ky., where public and private schools or to inquire about a child's homework," he said. are teaming up to participate in America Goes Back to School. The moderator for the Town Meeting was Nancy Mathis, communications director for the Panelist Scott Bosley, President and Publisher national School-to-Work program. She will assist of the Post Tribune in Gary, Ind., described a broad partnership among Indiana University U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley in Northwest, the Gary Public School Corporation, leading discussions throughout the 1996-97 series. and local businesses such as the newspaper, with Secretary Riley summarized the program's funding from the Knight Foundation. In a report positive message. "Here are examples of commu- on the partnership, called the Gary Accord, Della nities coming together and supporting schools Burt-Bradley, President of the Board, emphasized doing a good job. All of these community con- the community's commitment to learning. "We nections are so important. As we begin the school believe that students not only can learn but that year, I think it's important to believe in education they can excel if we have high expectations of and to be excited about it." them and we provide the kinds of resources that The Education Department has a kit to help we feel they need," she said. communities get involved in improving education. In Flint, Mich., the school district has also The America Goes Back to School: Partners' reached out to the community, although 75 percent Activity Guide has tips for building local coali- of Flint's households do not have school-age tions and planning events. To request the kit, call children. "The question is why would they want 1-800-USA-LEARN. ffa to become involved," said panelist James Ray, superintendent of Flint Community Schools. CORRECTION: "They have to realize that they're investing in the growth and development of youngsters and, in This graph, included in the September issue, turn, in our community." contained an error. Supporting parent involvement in learning was Here is the corrected version. a theme throughout the program.In a satellite uplink from Chicago, Ill., Jennifer Blitz, chair of a Enrollment in U.S. Public and Private broad partnership between local schools, busi- 60 Elementary and Secondary Schools nesses, and cultural and community groups, shared (in millions) why families are the focus in the year-long series of events her committee is planning. "The best way for children to learn is when their parents are learning at the same time they are. When your 50 parents are learning, you get excited by learning," she said. Panelist Tani Welsh, Manager of Educational Services and Charitable Contributions for South- ern California Edison in Rosemead, Calif., dis- 40 I II I I IIIIIIII cussed her company's commitment to parent '9192 93 9495 9697 98 992000 01 involvement. Southern California Edison helps FALL fund a local program to train parents to participate more in their children's learning and also supports 4.2 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION POSTAGE AND FEES PAID WASHINGTON, D.C. 20202--0498 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION , OFFICIAL BUSINESS Permit NO. G-17 PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE $300 FIRST CLASS

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Funding May Increase for Key Education Programs in 1997 schools, bringing computers into classrooms, and As this edition went to press, it appeared that improving the student loan program, including Pell bipartisan leaders in the U.S. Senate were Grants, work study, and other financial aid to very close to President Clinton's proposed invest- working and middle class families. ments in education for 1997. "Improving elemen- The U.S House of Representatives voted to cut tary and secondary education and increasing President Clinton's 1997 budget request for financial aid for college students are top concerns Investment in education by $2.8 billion in July and of the American public," said U.S. Secretary of has taken no further action. "I would hope the Education Richard Riley. "I'm pleased that we House leadership would join the President and have the potential for a bipartisan agreement Senate in support of improving elementary and addressing critical education needs." secondary schools and making college more President Clinton's 1997 budget request for affordable," said Secretary Riley. investing in education puts a high priority on The chart below compares the funding levels for strengthening basic student skills, enhancing major education programs in 1996 to President teacher training, expanding safe and drug-free Clinton's 1997 budget request and the House Bill. Comparing Investment in Education (in thousands of dollars)

. .

Raise Standards of Achievement: Goals 2000 491,000 Community Update is published by the Office of Improving the Basics: Title I 7,165,000 Intergovernmental and Interagency Affairs. Safe and Drug-Free Schools 540,000 Assistant Secretary Strengthening Teacher Skills: MARIO MORENO Professional Development 610,000 Senior Director JOHN McGRATH Charter Schools 40,000 Editor JOY BELIN Bring Computers into Classrooms 325,000 Designer BARBARA JULIUS Gifted and Talented Education 43 10,000 0M141111411111 41141111 ate

No. 41, November 1996 U.S. Department of Teachers Volunteer to Train Colleagues in Using Education Technology Across America teachers are joining a administrators, business partners and other spon- national team to help each other use sors of the program pledge to support teachers by technology to its full potential to enrich students' providing professional development opportunities, learning. They call themselves 21st Century creating awards and incentives for using educa- Teachers, and they hope to be 100,000 strong. tional technology, and developing educational resources and curriculum materials that integrate The 21st Century Teachers' Initiative is advanced technologies into classroom learning. administered by 19 national organizations representing parents, teachers, administrators, Last month's event in Washington, D.C., took librarians, school boards, community colleges, place at Highway 1, a state-of-the-art demonstra- TEACHERS and the high-tech industry, with the support of tion site funded by leading technology companies. the U.S. Department of Education. This public- Teachers demonstrated first-hand the wealth of "Today's private partnership recognizes the urgent need to educational resources available on the Internet and students need prepare students for the Information Age and the the specialized resources designed for educators at to know the jobs of the future. the 21st Century Teachers website. The 21st Century Teachers homepage can be accessed at basics.... But "Today's students still need to know the three http://www.21ct.org. they also need R's, the old basics. But they also need to under- to take stand how to use the three W's the World First announced by President Clinton in May Wide Web, and take advantage of the unsur- 1996, 21st Century Teachers is a local grassroots advantage of passed learning opportunities available on the initiative, achieving results community by commu- the Internet," said U.S. Secretary of Education nity and classroom by classroom. "Trained teach- unsurpassed Richard Riley at an October 1 event in Washing- ers using the latest technology is the key to raising learning ton, D.C., that was designed to recruit teachers to student achievement and student performance opportunities the effort. and that, we know, is our goal," said Anne Bryant, Executive Director of the National School Boards available on the The partners involved in the 21st Century Association, one of the sponsoring groups. Internet." Teachers Initiative understand that in order to U.S. Secretary best serve students, teachers themselves must Other sponsors include the American Associa- of Education sharpen their technology skills. 21st Century tion of Community Colleges, American Associa- Teachers pledge to build their own expertise in tion of School Administrators, American Associa- Richard Riley using new learning technologies; share their tion of School Librarians, American Federation of expertise and experience with colleagues; use Teachers, American Library Association, Apple their expertise with students as part of the daily Computer, Inc., the Council of Chief State School learning process; and work to make classroom Officers, ETC, IBM Corporation, the International technology available to all students and teachers. Society for Technology in Education, National Association of Secondary School Principals, Special Insert on Family Involvement (See inside) National Board for Professional Teaching Stan- dards, National Congress of Parents and Teachers, Each 21st Century teacher volunteers to train 5 National Council for Accreditation of Teacher colleagues in how to use technology as a tool to Education, National Education Association, enrich students' classroom experience and NetCom, Software Publishers Association, and improve the quality of education. Parents, United States Tech Corps. El 44 November Town ERIC Offers a Wealth of Meeting Will LookResources At Strategies to 97 he Educational Resources Information TCenter (ERIC) system, which includes the Prevent Truancy world's largest and most frequently searched The November Town Meeting will focus on education database, celebrates its 30th anniver- ways that schools and communities can sary during this year. ERIC is a dynamic source work together to discourage truancy while of print and electronic materials for improving ensuring student discipline and safety. teaching, learning, parenting, and school man- agement with an array of free products and Entitled "Schools as Safe Havens: Discipline, services available to parents, educators, and Safety, and Truancy Prevention," the hour-long community members. Town Meeting will air on Tuesday, November The ERIC system is part of the U.S. Depart- 19 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The program willment of Education's National Library of Educa- be closed-captioned and will be simulcast in tion, with 16 subject-specific ERIC Clearing- Spanish. houses and 10 Adjunct Clearinghouses. ERIC U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley Clearinghouses produce more than 250 special will welcome a panel of local education and publications each year on current research, community leaders who will share success programs, and practices, including the popular stories and advice on involving parents in ERIC Digests, 2-page summaries on topics such truancy prevention and school discipline, as reading instruction and educational technol- ensuring that students at risk of disciplinary ogy. The clearinghouses also respond to thou- problems are actively engaged in learning, sands of e-mail, phone, and mail requests for enforcing consistent sanctions for truancy and information. disciplinary problems, and working with law ERIC is keeping pace with the increasing enforcement and social service agencies. emphasis on the role of parents in their The Department of Education produces the children's education by preparing and distribut- ing free parent materials in print and electronic Satellite Town Meeting series in partnership with the National Alliance of Business and the formats. Parent brochures that provide answers Center for Workforce Preparation with support to commonly asked questions on topics such as from the Bayer Foundation, the Procter and playground safety, school readiness, and college Gamble Fund, Microsoft, Inc., and SC Johnson planning are available from ACCESS ERIC. Call Wax. Broadcast partners include Discovery 1-800LETERIC to request the current set. Communications. The National Parent Information Network (http: / /ericps.ed.uiuc.edu/ npin/ Satellite coordinates are as follows.... npinhome.html), is a World Wide Web site C-Band: Galaxy 9, Orbital Location 123 providing short articles on child rearing and degrees West; Transponder 1; Vertical Polarity; child development as well as electronic discus- Channel 1; Downlink Frequency 3720 MHz; sion groups. Audio Subcarriers 6.2 MHz (Spanish) and 6.8 You can search the ERIC database, which MHz (English). contains descriptions of nearly a million educa- tion documents and journal articles, on any Ku-Band: SBS-6, Orbital Location 74 education-related topic. If you have access to degrees West; Transponder 15; Horizontal the Internet, you can do a free ERIC search at Polarity; Channel 15; Downlink Frequency http://ericir.syr.edu. You may also use ERIC at 12068 MHz; Audio Subcarriers 6.2 MHz (Span- more than 800 locations across the country; call ish) and 6.8 MHz (English). 1-800LETERIC for the location of a library To participate in the Satellite Town Meeting, near you. contact your local Public Broadcasting System All ERIC Clearinghouses have toll-free (PBS) member station or Chamber of Com- numbers as well as e-mail and Web addresses. If merce and ask if your group can use the facility you need information and are not sure where to as a downlink site. Other possible sites are start, call 1-800LETERIC or e-mail your local schools, public libraries, community question to [email protected]. You can colleges, cable television stations, universities also explore ERIC resources by starting with the and technical schools, government offices, systemwide Web page at hospitals, businesses, hotels, or even private http://www.aspensys.com/eric. The award- residences with satellite dishes. Call 1-800 winning AskERIC Virtual Library USA -LEARN for further information or to (http://ericir.syr.edu) provides hundreds of register your participation. EM 45 lesson plans and InfoGuides that help users navigate the Internet. CZI Special Insert on Family Involvement , Partnership 0 for Family .vo

Involvement O 0" in Education R

Communities Participate At Armada Elementary School in Back-to-School in Armada, Mich., more than 900 Activities parents, students, Editor's note: Communities across the country and members of the have planned more than 1500 events as part of the school community America Goes Back to School: Get Involved! participated in an initiative. This effort encourages all Americans America Goes parents, grandparents, employers and employees, Back to School members of the arts community, religious leaders, picnic. and every caring adult to rally around their Frank Miracola, a local schools and make a commitment to support fifth grade teacher at learning throughout the year. Here's a sample of Armada, serves on recent local events that have taken place. the America Goes In Tempe, Ariz., Mayor Neil Giuliano urged Back to School national steering committee. Families and commu- citizens to get involved in back-to-school According to Miracola, teachers and school nity members at activities and served as an example by leading a administrators were delighted with the high level Armada Elementary first-grade reading class at a local elementary School pledge to stay of interest among family and community members involved throughout school. Mayor Giuliano issued a proclamation, who attended the picnic and expressed interest in the school year. declaring the week of September 9-13 to be staying involved as volunteers throughout the "America Goes Back to School Week." More school year. "People see the school as the center than 40 mayors in other cities nationwide issued of the community and want to do everything they similar proclamations. can to support children's learning," he said. ej Kids Editor's Note: Here is a sample of safe sites for kids to explore on the World Wide Web. KidsCom: http://www.kidscom.com/indexl.html Can Berit's Best Sites for Kids: http://www.cochran.com/theosite/KSites.html Soar Kids Web: http://www.npac.syr.edu/textbook kidsweb/ Kidding Around: http://alexia.lis.uiuc.edulwatts/kiddin.html Safely Kids' Page: http://www.nucleus.com/kids.html Through Nye Labs: hitp://nyelabs.kcts.org/ Interesting Places for Kids: http://www.crc.ricoh.com/people/steve/kids.html the Yahooligans: http://www.yahooligans.com/ Internet KidNews: http://www.vsa.cape.com/powens/Kidnews.html Cyberkids: http://www.cyberkids.com

* Copyrightedmaterialfrom Parenting for High Potential, reprinted with permission from the National Association for Gifted Children, Washington, D.C. Model Partnership in completing the reading activities. The Kansas City project was one of three Kansas City Supports models nationwide designed to demonstrate the ways that reading activities can be used to extend Reading learning time for students who participate in Title Asuccessful summer project in Kansas City, I programs. Title I is a federally-funded program Mo. demonstrates what can be accomplished that helps students improve their basic skills. cm when employers, schools, and community and religious organiza- National Community tions come together in support of reading. Education Day Will Take Responding to Place November 19 Secretary Riley's summer reading celebrating Community" is the theme of challenge, 900 6 the 15th annual National Community elementary school Education Day, to be observed on November 19 i'4311,1, children strengthenedduring National Education Week. Sponsored by their reading and the National Community Education Association writing skills by (NCEA), this day was established in 1982 to participating in a recognize and promote strong working partner- program sponsored ships between schools and communities. by the Kansas City, This year National Community Education Day Mo., School focuses on the role of local citizens, schools, and District's Title I other institutions in strengthening their communi- program in partner- ties and making them responsive to the needs of ship with Girl Scouts all residents. More than 40 national organizations of the USA and the are sponsoring National Community Education AMC Theaters. Day, including the U.S. Department of Education, The 3R's ProjectNational School Supply & Equipment Associa- Reinforcing Reading tion, National Coalition for Parent Involvement in and wRitinghelped Education, National Urban League and Council Title I students retain of Chief State School Officers. For more information or materials on National Mayor Neil Giuliano of the learning gains they made during the regular Tempe, Ariz., leads a school year. Students met with reading partners Community Education Day, call the NCEA at (703) 359-8973. 32 first-grade reading who read with students at least once a week for 30 class as an example of minutes. Daily reading and writing activities were how community Spanish-Language members can get assigned to be completed at home with the help of involved with schools. a family member. Children were encouraged to Resource Supports (See story p. 3). read on their own at least 20 minutes a day and write 10 minutes a day. Involvement in Schools Students received incentives to complete daily rr he popular publication, Moving America to reading and writing activities, including an age- the Head of the Class: 50 Simple Things You appropriate dictionary, a summer journal to Can Do, is now available in Spanish. The booklet encourage writing, the opportunity to earn "book outlines ways that parents, employers, and other bucks" that could be used to buy books for a concerned citizens can get involved in improving personal library, and a McDonald's gift certificate local schools, within the limits of their busy for acquiring a library card. schedules. Tips are provided for helping children The Kansas City reading partners included Title succeed with reading, homework, challenging I staff, middle school students, and Girl Scouts. courses, and high learning goals. Sixteen community agencies throughout the city The translated "50 Consejos Utiles" was set aside space where students in the 3R's Project published as part of the "Keep the Promise" could meet with their reading partners. These campaign, supported by the U.S. Department of agencies included Boys and Girls Clubs, Salvation Education, the Business Roundtable, the National Army day camps, neighborhood community Governors' Association, the American Federation centers, and outreach centers operated by of Teachers, and the National Alliance of Busi- churches. ness. "Keep the Promise" encourages all Ameri- Another sponsor, AMC Theaters, encouraged cans to get involved in improving education, a parents and other family members to become message that is carried as public service advertis- reading partners for students that participated in ing via television, radio, and the print media. the program. The students and their partners To obtain a copy of "50 Consejos Utiles," call earned admission to a special movie screening by 1-800-USA-LEARN. Town Meeting Looks At Foundation in Seattle, Wash. "As employers, we're looking for students and our future Linking Teachers and workforce to be more computer literate," she said. Students with Technology Her company is training teachers across Washing- ton to integrate technology into teaching and top priority in the education budget is learning, and is expanding the program to Colo- 6 Atechnology," said U.S. Secretary of Educa- rado, Idaho, Oregon, and Utah. tion Richard Riley as he opened the October Universities also make an important contribu- Satellite Town Meeting. The Secretary outlined a tion, as a report on an exemplary teacher training national strategy to prepare America's students for program in Chapel Hill-Carrboro, N.C., showed. the 21st century, which includes provisions that In the program called Scout Camp, instructors every classroom must be connected to the informa- from the University of North Carolina supervise tion superhighway; all teachers and students must teachers in developing their own innovative have access to modern computers; and all teachers projects using online learning that they can take must have the training they need to help students back to their classrooms. benefit from technology. At Vanderbilt Univeristy in Nashville, Tenn., Secretary Riley's Special Assistant on Educa- more than 9000 teachers have received free tional Technology, Linda Roberts, alerted the training in how to use the Internet, as panelist Jim audience to a key decision on the rates schools will Pellegrino, Dean of the Peabody College of pay to use the Internet that the Federal Communi- Education and Human Development, explained. cations Commission will make on November 8. Pellegrino summarized an underlying theme of the Secretary Riley has urged the FCC to provide Town Meeting, "Technology is really a matter of schools and libraries with free access to basic the community, the schools, the teachers, the telecommunications services and discounted rates universities, and the businesses coming together for more advanced services, a recommendation and deciding that this is absolutely essential, and supported by Commerce Secretary Kantor, Agri- then getting a plan started and implemented." culture Secretary Glickman, President Clinton, and The Education Department has resources to Vice President Gore. help communities use technology to its full "What we're asking for is a long-term strategy potential. The National Technology Plan, entitled that will allow our schools to invest in technology "Getting America's Students Ready for the 21st and teacher training, and to be sure that we will be Century," provides a framework for planning a able to afford these services and resources in this local effort. A brochure is also available describ- decade and the decades beyond," Roberts said. ing how to connect to the wealth of resources in Guest panelists represented the various groups the Education Department's online library. To that must work together to build successful local request the materials, call 1-800-USA-LEARN. partnerships to link schools with technology. "Teachers can be strong advocates for wise use of technology," said Nancy Flanagan, president of the Resource Supports Teacher Michigan Teacher Forum, who created a computer bulletin board where educators statewide can share Training and Learning good ideas to improve their schools. Panelists also Anew resource to support teachers is available discussed the important role that teachers play in in the Achieving the Goals series, published training their colleagues to use educational tech- by the U.S. Department of Education. Entitled nology, the impetus behind the 21st Century Goal 4: Teacher Education and Professional Teachers Initiative.(See story p. 1). Development, the booklet informs practitioners Parents can also play an important role in and policymakers in local school districts about training teachers and providing other technology the resources available at the federal level to support to schools. In over 30 states, parents have strengthen initial teacher preparation and ongoing participated in Net Days, volunteering their time to professional development. The Achieving the wire schools for connection to the Internet. Panel- Goals series covers the comprehensive federal ist Jose Gavarette, chair of the technology commit- effort to support local school improvement, which tee of the Dade County Council of PTA's in includes programs and resources funded by at Miami, Ha., organized a successful school event in least 28 agencies to help communities reach the which local corporations led computer training for National Education Goals. Copies of the first teachers, students, and parents, and also contrib- booklet in the series, Goal 1: All Children in uted free software. America Will Start School Ready to Learn, are The business community has an active interest also available. To order either booklet in the in linking schools with technology, explained series, call 1-800- USA-LEARN. The booklets panelist Mary Moore, Regional Manager of can also be found on the World Wide Web at Corporate Communications for the U.S. West http://www.ed.gov/pubs/resdinhtml. A g? U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION POSTAGE AND FEES PAID WASHINGTON, D.C. 20202--0498 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OFFICIAL BUSINESS Permit NO. G-17 PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE $300 FIRST CLASS

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Congress Approves President's Education Budget for 1997 Last month we reported that there was the pps.si-, fpr, middle income, low income and working fami- bility of bipartisan consensus in Congress to lies. approve President Clinton's proposed investments "I'm pleased to be able to share good news for in education for 1997. A bipartisan agreement was America's families and children concerning our in fact reached, and President Clinton signed into nation's investment in education," said U.S. Secre- law the final bill on the eve of the new fiscal year, tary of Education Richard Riley. "With bipartisan beginning October 1. The 1997 education budget support, we have taken an important step toward puts a high priority on strengthening basic student preparing our children for the 21st century." skills, enhancing teacher training, ensuring safe and The chart below compares funding levels for ma- drug-free schools, improving special education, jor education programs in the 1996 and 1997 bud- bringing computers into classrooms, raising aca- gets, and also shows the increased investment for demic standards, and expanding access to college 1997. [a Comparing Investment in Education (in thousands. of dollars) .

Raise Standards of Achievement: GOALS 2000 350,000 +141,000 Community Improve the Basics; 6,730,348 +463,751 Update is published Title I by the Office of Intergovernmental 465,971971 + 90, 007 and Interagency Safe and Drug-Free Schools Affairs. Strengthening Teacher Skills: 275,000 + 35,000 Assistant Professional Development Secretary Special Education 3,245,415 +790,585 MARIO MORENO Charter Schools 18,000 + 33,000 Senior Director Bring Computers Into Classrooms 48,000 +218,965 JOHN McGRATH Editor Help Youth Move from School to Careers 180,000 + 20,000 JOY BELIN Pell Grants: College Grants for Low-Income Students5,737,000 +676,000 Designer College Work Study BARBARA JULIUS 49 616,508 +213,492

1. An identical amount is included in the budget forthe Department of Labor, which jointly administers this program. Co tY AM.

No. 42, December 1996 U.S. Department of Challenge Grants Support Local Technology Partnership Education Editor's note: On October 2, U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley announced the award of 24 new grants to local partnerships among schools, businesses, and communities in 16 states to help get useful technology into the hands of teachers and students. These new Challenge Grants for Technology in Education add to the 19 Challenge Grant projects announced in October 1995. wenty- 2000: Educate America Act. Computers and on- I four line learning will contribute to student achieve- innovative, ment by enhancing a challenging curriculum in community- reading, writing, science, math, history, the arts based projects and other subjects. were awarded In addition to strengthening learning in the Challenge core academics, each Challenge Grant project Grants for will also help students develop technical and Technology in job-related skills necessary in the changing Education by economy to help smooth the transition from high the Education school to college and careers. Department. The Challenge The 1997 education budget provides nearly Grants, total- $57 million for technology Challenge Grants, ing $23 which assures funding for this year's projects U.S. Secretary of million, will fund projects for 5 years, allowingand also allows for a third round of grantees. Education Richard local partnerships to use powerful new tech- Secretary Riley said that the 1996 Challenge Riley and Joanne nologies to transform their schools by linking Grant projects will more than double the impact Nulson go online with them with the infinite online learning resources of last year's ongoing efforts, which have al- the Family Education of the world's best libraries, universities, and ready offered training for thousands of teachers Network, which helps museums. and enriched classroom learning for 1.2 million parents get involved students. Second-year funds have been provided with learning. (See Each Challenge Grant partnership between to 1995 grantees, allowing them to expand the story p. 3) parents, schools, businesses, libraries, muse- reach of their projects. ums, and community organizations will match federal funds with substantial commitments for In addition to funding Challenge Grants, the computers, software development, technical 1997 education budget includes $200 million for support, telecommunications services, and a new Technology Literacy Fund, which will teacher training. The 24 Challenge Grant enable more local school districts to implement communities will also share their expertise programs that use technology to improve the quality of education. Special Insert on Family Involvement (See inside) Recipients of the 1996 Challenge Grants for Technology in Education include the Berkeley with a total of 153 other school districts across Unified School District, Berkeley, Calif.; Hawaii the country. State Department of Education, Hudson Public In most cases, Challenge Grant recipients Schools, Hudson, Mass.; Seward Public are integrating new technologies into state and Schools, Seward, Neb.; and Norfolk Public local reform efforts to set high standards for Schools, Norfolk, Va. pa students, which were encouraged by the Goals 50 January Town Students Use Science to Meeting Will Visit aSolve Community "New American Problems High School" Acompetition sponsored by Bayer Corpora- Iast May 10 high schools across the country tion and the National Science Foundation were awarded the distinction of "New (NSF) encourages teams of middle school American High Schools" and received the Seventhstudents to identify problems in their communi- Annual Business Week Awards for Instructional ties and use the scientific process to find solu- Innovation. The January Town Meeting will visit tions. The contest underscores how science can one of these schools, which prepare students for a respond to real-world problems affecting teens variety of career paths and postsecondary educa- and others such as homelessness and crime. tion with a blend of challenging academic and All students in grades 6-8 are eligible to enter hands-on learning. the contest by creating a project that demon- Entitled "The New American High School: strates the scientific process of asking ques- Preparing Youth for College and Careers," the tions, analyzing, and drawing conclusions. hour-long Town Meeting will air on Tuesday, The Bayer/NSF Award for Community January 21, at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The Innovation will nominate a semifinalist team of program will be closed-captioned and will be four students in each of ten regions across the simulcast in Spanish. (Note: The Town Meeting country. All semifinalist teams will earn a trip will not be broadcast in December.) to Epcot Center to present their findings to a U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley and panel of judges as part of the Discover Maga- local educators and community leaders will zine Awards for Technological Innovation. explore how students can graduate from high The deadline for entering the contest is school ready for either college or the workplace January 31, 1997. There is no registration fee. through an innovative curriculum that emphasizes For more information, call 1-800-291-6020. solving problems, collaborating in teams, master- Additional science recognition programs ing new technologies, and making effective include the Explorer-Vision Awards Competi- decisions. tion, sponsored by Toshiba Corporation and The Department of Education produces the administered by the National Science Teachers Satellite Town Meeting series in partnership with Association (NSTA). Children in grades K-12 the National Alliance of Business and the Center are eligible to enter this contest, which asks for Workforce Preparation with support from the students to envision technologies that could Bayer Foundation, the Procter and Gamble Fund, exist 20 years in the future. For more informa- Microsoft, Inc., and SC Johnson Wax. Broadcast tion, call 1-800-EXPLOR-9. and cable Partners include Discovery Communi- The Duracell/NSTA Scholarship Competition cations, the Public Broadcasting System, and asks students in grades 9-12 to build battery- Channel One. powered devices. For more information, call 1- Satellite coordinates are as follows .... 800- 255 -4242. rel C-Band: Galaxy 4, Orbital Location 99 degrees West; Transponder 11; Horizontal Polarity; Good News!In the October issue, we Channel 11; Downlink Frequency 3920 MHz; reported on a landmark upcoming decision by Audio Subcarriers 6.2 MHz (Spanish) and 6.8 the Federal Communications Commission MHz (English). (FCC) regarding the rates charged to schools Ku-Band: Telstar 401, Orbital Location 97 and libraries to have access to the vast degrees West; Transponder 6; Horizontal Polarity; educational resources on the Information Channel 6; Downlink Frequency 11854 MHz; Superhighway. A special Federal-State Joint Audio Subcarriers 6.2 MHz (Spanish) and 6.8 Board of the FCC decided on November 7 to MHz (English). recommend to the full FCC that schools and To participate in the Satellite Town Meeting, libraries should receive deep discounts for contact your local Public Broadcasting System telecommunication services, Internet access, (PBS) member station or Chamber of Commerce and internal connections. Most schools will and ask if your group can use the facility as a receive at least a 40 percent discount in start- downlink site. Other possible sites are local up costs and ongoing charges. Half of all schools will receive a 65 percent discount, schools, public libraries, community colleges, and one third of all schools will earn a dis- cable television stations, universities and technical count of80 to90 percent, based on poverty 'schools, government offices, hospitals, businesses, and the high cost of service. The finalFCC hotels, or even private residences with satellite decision on rates charged to schools and dishes. Call 1-800-USA-LEARN for further libraries will be made by May 7, 1997. information or to register your participation. NA ° esco, Partnership "ible 0 for Family 0 O (i)

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Employers Get Involved in Education--giNiedi."...". E Editor's note: The Partnership for Family Involve- matched by 444 ment in Education, launched by Education Secre- Boston area r Pik is tary Richard Riley in 1994, has grown to more businesses. The a k than 2000 employers, schools, and community, grant will , parent, education and religious groups. Employer provide the members of the Partnership have developed an funds for C active steering group and have conducted activitieseducation to recruit more businesses to get involved in reform efforts learning, as well as scheduling a national confer- such as strength- ence for May 15-16, 1997, with the theme, "Better ening profes- Education is Everybody's Business." The efforts ofsional develop- two members of the Employers for Learning ment for teach- Steering Group from the Boston area are profiled ers and adminis- below. trators, and getting technology into schools. CEO/Principal Leader- John Hancock. As part of the nationwide Family Education Network (FEN). In order to ship Summit: Partici- America Goes Back to School: Get Involved! help families play a more active role in their pants in the panel effort, more than 100 business, university, cultural children's learning, the Family Education Net- discussion were (L-R): and human services leaders participated in the Esther Kaplan, work has launched an online service for parents. President of the Principal/CEO Leadership Summit held at FEN's site is intended as a model that can be Boston's Madison Park Technical High School. Boston Cultural customized for local use in all 16,000 school Partnership; Boston According to Les Hemmings, General Director of districts across the nation. Mayor Thomas John Hancock Financial Services, the program FEN offers a combination of news, resources, Menino; Bill Boyan, was designed to bring together all community and President and CEO of business leaders who have a stake in improving information exchange, exciting projects, and online educational activities for the entire family. John Hancock Finan- public schools. The Leadership Summit was cial Services; Bob Tips for parents and advice from experts cover a sponsored by the Boston Compact, a local partner- Gittens, Chairman of ship of schools, businesses and community range of practical issues such as communicating the Boston School organizations that are working together to improve with teachers, interpreting report cards, and Committee; Sherry the quality of education and reach out to parents to helping children with homework. Penney, Chancellorat get involved in the effort. The Hingham, Mass., school system is the first the University of to implement this innovative service, enabling the Massachusetts and After completing individual site visits with Boston School principals of 70 schools in the city, the community district to communicate directly with families about local events and school improvement Superintendent Tom and business leaders met for a televised panel Payzant . discussion that was broadcast to every school in activities. FEN is located at . For a free brochure on the Family Education Network, call 1- 800 -927- The Summit also celebrated the award of a $10 6006 and ask for customer service. Cla million Annenberg Challenge Grant that will be Communities Report New Publications Support Success with Family Involvement READ*WRITE*NOW! hese recent publications are available via Tthe U.S. Department of Education's Online Communitiesacross the country helped Library at http://www.ed.gov. A limited supply students strengthen their reading and writing of printed copies is also on hand and can be skills by participating in the second annual requested by calling 1-800-USA-LEARN. READ*WRITE*NOW! program, the national Just Add Kids This READ*WRITE*NOW! initiative sponsored by resource directory lists local groups that match the U.S. Department up students with reading tutors and mentors, of Education and the and other literacy organizations that serve Partnership for Family children and their families. The Girl Scouts of Involvement in the USA, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Education. During the Everybody Wins! Foundation, B'nai B'rith summer of 1996, an Youth Organization, American Library Asso- estimated one million ciation, and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity are children nationwide among the groups that help support enrolled in the READ*WRITE*NOW! READ*WRITE*NOW! program. Reaching All Families: Creating Family- Many communi- Friendly Schools This booklet is designed for ties have reported school administrators and teachers in their their successful efforts to involve parents and families as more results, including active participants in their children's educa- Rocky Mount, N.C. tion. Suggested strategies are appropriate for More than 1300 all students, including students with special children in Rocky needs. Mount successfully completed the seven- The Role of Leadership in Sustaining week program. They School Reform: Voices from the Field Case studies are presented involving principals and Like read a total of 59,801 books, which was a 55 READ*WRITE*NOW!, percent increase from the number of books read other school leaders who have successfully the America Goes during the program in the summer of 1995. sustained school improvement efforts over the Back to School The READ*WRITE*NOW! program pairs long-term by developing local partnerships program encourages children of preschool age through grade 6 with a and involving parents.gi community involve- reading partner. The partner can be a parent, ment in learning. family member, teenager, community organization Welcome, New Partners! Recently, the National volunteer, or other caring adult who meets weekly Atotal of 580 Flagstar Hardee's restau- Coalition for Parent with the participant for reading and writing rants have joined the Partnership for Family Involvement in activities. The child is also encouraged to read Education promoted Involvement in Education. The Partnership America Goes Back to daily for 30 minutes and learn a new vocabulary now comprises over 2000 members who are School with an word.The program challenges students to committed to helping families fulfill their information fair, where practice their reading and writing skills over the central rote in learning. summer, a time when many students lose progress the sixth grade class Located primarily in the Southeast, from Ross Elementary they have made during the school year. Flagstar Hardee's restaurants are helping in Washington, D.C., Materials are available through the Education local schools raise money during the 1996 participated. Department to support the READ*WRITE*NOW! 97 school year for technology and other program, including age-appropriate kits of learn- school improvement programs, "We're ing activities and a guide for reading tutors. delighted to join this exciting venture," said Limited supplies of 1996 materials are on hand. Craig Bushey, president of Flagstar To request the materials, call 1-800-USA-LEARN Hardee's. "We have a history of being good or access the Education Department's home page and responsible corporate neighbors, and at http://www.ed.gov (Click on "Special Initia- through this effort we'll be able to continue tives"). that tradition by making a significant contri- We hope you'll send the results of your summer bution toward improving our schools." reading program. Write to the Partnership for Secretary Riley commends Flagstar Family Involvement in Education, 600 Indepen- Hardee's for being a corporate leader in this dence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C., 20202-8173. effort. 53 Americans Support Bipartisan Spirit on Education Priorities National polls and election results show that Department, entitled Pursuing Excellence: A Americans put a high priority on investing Study of U.S. Eighth-Grade Mathematics and in education and support the bipartisan spirit Science Teaching, Learning, Curriculum and that produced the 1997 education budget agree- Achievement in International Context, shows ment for initiatives in the U.S. Department of that American students spend as much or more Education. class time on math than youth in other coun- Parents, educators, employers, and other tries. However, the math curriculum in U.S. citizens recognize that in order to be ready for schools focuses less than other countries on the 21st century, America's students need helping students to understand concepts and schools that challenge them to high standards solve real problems. and emphasize the basics such as reading, math, "Every student should enter junior high and science; teach computer literacy and pro- school with a firm grasp of arithmetic," said vide access to computers in the classroom; Secretary Riley, "but, clearly, employers want prepare youth for a variety of options for careers problem solvers, people who have mastered the and postsecondary education; promote teacher basics and can apply that knowledge to new excellence; and reach out to involve families situations." and the broader community. The public also In addition to new efforts to improve K-12 Parents, supports expanding opportunities for students learning, the Education Department will expand educators, from middle income, low income, and working opportunities for many students to attend employers, and families to attend college. Access to college college. The 1997 education budget increases other citizens will be critical to help students navigate the funding for Pell Grants and work study options rapid changes of the economy in the 21st that make college more affordable for disadvan- recognize that in century. taged students. Building on that success, order to be ready The Education Department has initiated President Clinton's HOPE scholarships proposal for the 21st several major efforts to respond to the public's would provide support for students who do not century, education goals. President Clinton has issued a qualify for need-based grants but still find America's Reading Challenge, asking all Americans to be college out of reach financially. The HOPE students need part of a national, bipartisan effort to ensure that scholarships would allow a $1500 refundable children can read independently by the end of tax credit for first-year college students as well schools that the third grade. Children will need a higher as to second-year students who earn at least a B challenge them level of literacy than ever before to succeed in average. This tax credit would be sufficient to to high the workplace of the 21st century and gain new cover the full cost of tuition at an average standards. skills to adapt to a changing economy. community college and would make a down The most recent National Assessment of payment at a more expensive four-year school. Educational Progress showed that many of our Combined with a proposed $10,000 tax deduc- students need extra support to read well: 40 tion for college costs, the HOPE scholarships percent of all 4th grade students are reading and increases in Pell Grants could open the below basic level. The Reading Challenge will doors wide to college for students from middle help parents be their children's first teachers, income, working, and low-income families who expand the Head Start program to one million want to improve themselves by enrolling in children, recruit a million trained tutors working America's higher education institutions. with a reading specialist to provide extra after- The new baby boom is straining school school and summer instruction, and test for facilities in school districts throughout America. results to make sure America's children are In many communities, school buildings are improving in reading. suffering from age. With a great deal of biparti- To boost math and science achievement, U.S. san support from local educators, President Secretary of Education Richard Riley an- Clinton proposed a $5 billion fund to assist nounced that the Education Department will join local communities in paying for the interest on the Academy of Sciences and National Science school bonds to help defray the cost of new Foundation to sponsor meetings across America construction and renovation. to rally support for better teacher training and The President will include these education improvements in curriculum, textbooks, and initiatives in the balanced budget plan he will testing. Although American students are per- send to Congress in February. While education forming better in science since scoring below in America will always remain a local and state average on an international assessment in 1991, responsibility, bipartisan interest in targeted U.S. students' achievement in math remains issues of nationwide concern makes it possible below the international average. for all Americans to work together to move A report released last month by the Education education forward. Ezi 54 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION POSTAGE AND FEES PAID WASHINGTON, D.C. 20202-0498 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OFFICIAL BUSINESS Permit NO. 0-17 PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE $300 FIRST CLASS

176134 MS.June Smith 44qUiSitione Zecretorw Eric/Ir 030 Huntington Hall 5vracuSe tlniverSitv: NY 13244

Involve the Entire Community to Discourage Truancy, Town Meeting Audience Learns In the November Satellite Town Meeting, . homes of truant students by social workers viewers learned of exemplary efforts to with after-school activities and a curfew. combat truancy across the country in commu- Guest panelist Kelly Blanton, superintendent nities such as Morristown, N.J.; Memphis, of the Kern County Schools in Bakersfield, Tenn.; St. Paul, Minn.; Laredo, Texas; and LosCalif., emphasized the importance of respond- Angeles, Calif. The key to success in local ing to students' individual learning needs to efforts to get youth back in school and en- keep them engaged in school. "Different gaged in learning, viewers heard, was creating students react to different learning styles and broad partnerships among parents, school different courses. If they're successful, they officials, employers, law enforcement, social keep coming back," he said. service agencies, and other community groups. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to Guest panelist Diane McCarthy, President oftruancy, said guest panelist Linda Harrill, the Western Maricopa Coalition in Glendale, President and State Director of Communities Ariz., related why her business group took the in Schools in Raleigh, N.C. "There are a lot lead on the truancy problem. "These are their of good programs, but each community has to future employees, and if students are going to figure out what works for them," she said. school and educated, they will have a better Assistant Secretary Gerry Tirozzi reminded workforce," she said. the audience that federal programs such as Mentors from the community were integral Goals 2000 and Safe and Drug-Free Schools Community to the success of other efforts. Guest panelist allow communities flexibility to fashion their Update is published Janet Ransom, Supervisor of the Truancy own programs. "The work gets done on the by the Office of Intervention Project of the Fulton County local level," said U.S. Secretary of Education Intergovernmental Juvenile Court in Atlanta, Ga., told how Richard Riley. "We can be helpful with and Interagency Affairs. volunteer lawyers from the Atlanta Bar Foun- resources, but the ingenuity, the effective use dation who represent truant youth in court also of funds, and the sensitivity exemplified by Assistant serve as role models. A taped report on the our panel are really what makes a difference." Secretary Truancy Pilot Program in New Haven, Conn., The Education Department has resources to MARIO MORENO showed how students' own peers mentor them help communities reinforce positive student Senior Director and help design contracts to improve atten- behavior. The Manual to Combat Truancy JOHN McGRATH dance. offers practical advice and summaries of Editor Mayor Wellington Webb of Dever, Colo., successful programs. Creating Safe and JOY BELIN and Mayor Nancy Graham of West Palm Drug-Free Schools: An Action Guide covers a Designer Beach, Ha., joined the program by telephone. variety of school safety issues. To request Mayor Webb spoke of Denver's successful materials, call 1-800-624-0100.E BARBARA JULIUS Safe Cities program, which combines visits to 111111114111

No. 43, January 1997 U.S. Department of Stronger Focus Needed in Improving Math Education, Education Study Shows The Third International Mathematics and knowledge to solve real problems along with the Science Study, or TIMSS report, showed basics of arithmetic. The study also found that the that U.S. eighth graders scored above average in topics taught in the U.S. math curriculum for eighth science but below average in math compared to graders compare to the seventh grade level in their counterparts in the United Kingdom, leading countries. Canada, France, Germany, and Japan. The "The data appear to be telling us that we need to TIMSS report is the most thorough international examine what's actually going on in the school and study of math and science education ever con- the classroom," Secretary Riley said. ducted, comparing the performance of 500,000 To boost math and science achievement for U.S. students, of whom 40,000 are Americans. students, the Education Department will join the U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley Academy of Sciences and National Science Foun- emphasized that America's students must demon- dation to sponsor meetings across America to rally strate excellence in problem-solving and quanti- support for better teacher training and improve- tative skills in order to compete for jobs in the ments in curriculum, textbooks, and testing. But no international economy. "Our own National school or community should wait, Secretary Riley Assessments of Educational Progress show our said. He expressed hope that teams of teachers, students have improved in math since the early principals, and curriculum specialists from local 1980's, but it appears students in other nations are schools across the country will explore now how moving up, too. For U.S. students, average is just the challenging standards and successful teaching not good enough," Secretary Riley said. practices recommended by the National Council of The TIMSS report investigated numerous Teachers of Mathematics can be put in place in factors that could explain the weaker math their classrooms. performance of U.S. students. A comparison of Secretary Riley has also urged the nation's classroom time devoted to math found that colleges and universities to strengthen teacher American students spend as much or more time preparation, suggesting that the guidelines from the in class discussing math than their counterparts in National Commission on Teaching and America's Germany and Japan. Time spent studying math Future be followed. Together with the TIMSS out-of-class was found to be equivalent for U.S. study, the Commission on Teaching recommenda- students and their German and Japanese peers. tions offer school, parent, and community leaders What researchers discovered, based on video- concrete ways to make significant improvements. tapes of classroom instruction, is that U.S. The commission has called for high standards in teachers don't teach to America's own math teacher training, more opportunities for apprentice- ships, mentoring by master teachers, and work fils(24.&_ schedules that permit ongoing professional devel- 01-01c4j)-7 opment. The TIMSS report is available on the Education standards developed by the National Council of Department's web site at http://www.ed.gov/NCES/ Teachers of Mathematics, although they are timss. generally aware of these standards. Unlike (For more information on resources and services many American students, Japanese students are to help strengthen math education in your local trained to understand math concepts and apply schools, see article p. 6.) 133 - . . o of .- o - - .- . so. - . -4, .- I . . , . o . " o-o -- - .II - 0 . . f -. - ... . .0 ; a : . Z ...... 0'. 4 '. a or -4 P i -a- ' o. . di -a 0 0 0 0- . . - 0 000 a -.. - a -- -.- :. :II -0 - O. O.0 February Town Discovery Rebroadcast of Meeting Will Town Meetings Will Move Explore Making to Learning Channel College More Accessible Beginning February 28, 1997, the Discovery Network's rebroadcasts of the Education The February Satellite Town Meeting will Department's Satellite Town Meetings will move offer practical advice to students and their to Discovery's sister network, The Learning families on financing a college education through Channel (TLC). The Town Meetings will air savings strategies, scholarship sources, and state monthly on Fridays from 11 a.m. to 12 noon and federal loans. Eastern Time as part of an ongoing series de- Entitled "Making College More Accessible" signed to explore how schools across the country the hour-long Town Meeting will air on Tuesday, are coping with challenges and finding solutions. February 18, at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The TLC will alternate the Satellite Town Meetings program will be closed-captioned and simulcast in with the "Best Seat In The Class" and "Practically Spanish. Speaking" programs in the Friday morning time U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley and slot. The programs have similar goals of present- panel guests will share how college can be ing timely and relevant discussions of key issues affordable for all students and how planning at the top of the education agenda. ahead can help students succeed at both two-year The TLC cable network reaches more than 53 and four-year institutions. million homes in the United States. Below is the The Department of Education produces the schedule of rebroadcasts of the Satellite Town Satellite Town Meeting series in partnership with Meetings on the Learning Channel: the National Alliance of Business and the Center for Workforce Preparation with support from the Friday, February 28, 1997 Bayer Foundation, the Procter and Gamble Fund, at 11 a.m. E.T. Microsoft, Inc., and SC Johnson Wax. Broadcast "New American High Schools: Preparing and cable partners include Discovery Communi- Youth for College and Careers" cations, the Public Broadcasting System, and Friday, March 28, 1997 Channel One. at 11 a.m. E.T. Satellite coordinates are as follows .... "Making College More Accessible" C-Band: Galaxy 9, Orbital Location 123 degrees West; Transponder 2; Horizontal Polarity; Friday, April 25, 1997 Channel 2; Downlink Frequency 3740 MHz; at 11 a.m. E.T. Audio Subcarriers 6.2 MHz (Spanish) and 6.8 "School-to-Work Opportunities: Workplaces MHz (English). as Learning Environments" Ku-Band: Telstar 401, Orbital Location 97 Friday, May 23, 1997 degrees West; Transponder 6; Horizontal Polarity; at 11 a.m. E.T. Channel 6; Downlink Frequency 11854 MHz; "Charter Schools, Magnet Schools, and Other Audio Subcarriers 6.2 MHz (Spanish) and 6.8 Choices in Public Education" MHz (English). To participate in the Satellite Town Meeting, Friday, June 27, 1997 contact your local Public Broadcasting System at 11 a.m. E.T. (PBS) member station or Chamber of Commerce "Becoming a Reading, Literate Society" and ask if your group can use the facility as a Friday, July 4, 1997 downlink site. Call 1-800-USA-LEARN for at 11 a.m. E.T. further information or to register your participa- "Ready to Learn: Preparing Young Children tion. ria 57 for School Success" *C041 Partnership `vies for Family ,f Involvement (5c o. 1111,-- in Education ' R ell

San Diego Schools Reach Out to Involve Parents Last November, the San Diego, Calif., Unified 111011111'. W_ar_IMO._ School District held a day-long series of workshops designed to help parents get more involved in their children's learning. More than 'V. 1500 parents and school staff participated in the workshops with sessions conducted in 8 different languages: Cambodian, Hmong, Lao, Vietnamese, Pilipino, Somali, Spanish, and English. Parents could choose among a variety of topics, some applying to children of all ages and some targeted to specific grade levels, including "Helping Your

Child with Homework," "How to Communicate -^- Effectively With Your Child," "Taming the TV Monster," "How Can I Get My Child to Read," and "College Financial Aid: What Parents Need to (, Know." -1111 "The number one thing we want is for parents conference possible with a budget of $52,000. The San Diego Unified to feel more empowered, more confident to be Target Stores, San Diego Gas & Electric, the School District involved in the education of their children," said Lightspan Partnership, and the San Diego Unified conducted parent Gina Goss, chairwoman of the district's advisory Council of PTAs provided small grants. The Navy involvement work- group on parent-teacher involvement. helped, too, with 26 sailors from the frigate Lewis shops in 8 languages, The district used facilities at two campuses for B. Puller under Commander Jeff Lee setting up including this session its 9th annual parent involvement conference. tables, stuffing book bags, and delivering lunches. in Spanish led by Maria Escude Reifler. Day care for 350 children of attendees was Federal grant money paid for some of the parents' provided at Euclid Elementary. The workshops $25 participation fee, and other parents paid for were held at Crawford High School with lunch themselves. arranged for all participants. Attendees also The conference schedule was designed by a received special T-shirts and book bags to carry steering committee of 27 organizations, with input conference materials and a packet of brochures from experts on ethnic and racial diversity as well with practical advice, including a working as issues such as migrant education and leader- parent's survival manual and a college and ship. The extensive conference schedule, with financial aid planning guide. The district also descriptions of each workshop choice, was printed distributed materials from the U.S. Department of in both English and Spanish. Education with tips for how parents can help their Jeana Preston, co-chair of the conference, children succeed in school and how schools and emphasized the critical role that parents play in communities can actively support family involve- helping their children succeed in school. "We're ment in learning. trying to tell parents there are certain things they Parent and community volunteers and local need to know if their kids are going to function businesses donated time and resources to make the well in our school system," she said. as U.S.__-1,ducEtilen Sem-et :au End Not..ed 3E.usfinessAeaden-s Addll-ess 3E..usftness-IK,ducEtfion §u ft: Packard Company, United Airlines, Hemmings Motor News, IBM, Pizza Hut Inc., Mattel Corpora- tion, the Family Education Network, ACT Inc., and Work/Family Directions. Case studies focusing on internal company policies and practices supporting family involvement in education will be presented at the meeting. r 10 10 Experts will discuss how companies articulate and share the benefits of educational programs with managers and employees, including how educational initiatives strengthen employee loyalty. Afternoon sessions will focus on external partner- ship building to support family and employee involvement in education. Topics to be covered include how to recruit top management support for programs, and how technology can be used to strengthen family involvement in learning. Speakers addressing the conference include Peter Margarita Colmenares, Ieading educators and employers from across theBlock, Founding Partner, Designed Learning; Director, Corporate country will examine how to strengthen school-Siegrid Charbonnet, President and CEO, The Liaison of the Educa- business partnerships that promote family involve- Northeast Tarrant Chamber of Commerce; Ernesto tion Department, ment in education at The Conference Board's 1997 Cortes, Jr., Director, Industrial Areas Foundation; Ed recently presented Business and Education Conference. The meeting, Doherty, President, Boston Teachers Union Local certificates of recogni- with the theme "Better Education is Everybody's #66; Neil Sullivan, Executive Director, Boston tion to the Mattel Business," will be held May 15-16 in Boston, Mass. Private Industry Council; and Robin Willner, Foundation, Southern U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley Director, Social Corporate Policy and Programs, California Edison, and will give a progress report on the Partnership for IBM Corporation. the Los Angeles Family Involvement in Education, a grassroots The Conference Board will announce its 1996 Annenberg Metropoli- coalition of more than 2,400 schools, businesses, "Best in Class" Awards at a luncheon sponsored by tan Project for their and community, education, parent and religious Working Mother magazine. These awards recognize programs that support organizations. These partners have taken a lead role leading American companies that have strengthened family involvement in primary and secondary education with this year's education. Pictured with in supporting education improvement through the development of local family, school and community focus on family involvement policies and practices. Colmenares are (I. to r.) The conference will also present a special award to Sidney Thompson, partnerships that strengthen family involvement in children's learning. recognize leadership in the nationwide Partnership Superintendent of the for Family Involvement in Education. Los Angeles Unified The conference will feature leading organizations For further information on the conference, call School District, and involved in improving the quality of education The Conference Board's Customer Service Depart- Wally Fassler, Regional through a wide variety of business/education Vice President, partnerships, including John Hancock Financial ment at (212) 339-0345, fax (212) 980-7014, or e- Chevron U.S. A. Services, Southern California Edison, Hewlett- mail . Products Company. 2400 Partnership recruitment efforts 2000 Partnership for Family Involvement in Education add hundreds of new schools, September 1994 -October 1996 employers.

1600

1200 "America Goes "America Back to School: Goes Back to Get Involved!" School: A Employers for kicks off; Family/ 800 Place for Learning sign School and Families and on to the Secretary Riley Community Religious the Commu- Partnership, encourages sign ongroups sign on, Partnership Communities nity" 12/95 effort at annual 9/96. 400 launched by sign on, 11/94 launched: meetings of Secretary Riley, 9/95 national organiza- 9/94 tions during the spring of 1996. 0

Sept 94 Dec 94 Sept 95 Dec 95 May 96 Sept 96 Oct 96 Third Graders Who Read Well Is the Goal of the America Reads Challenge n order to succeed in the Information Age and Ithe workplace of the 21st century, children will need a higher level of literacy than ever before. Research has shown that the third grade is a pivotal point in children's development when good reading skills unlock their potential to learn in all subjects and succeed in school. Poor literacy skills in the early grades have been linked to dropping out, engaging in delinquent behavior, and having far fewer employment options. 1 Let, st, The most recent National Assessment of Educa- 0 tional Progress showed that many young Ameri- sl Li 41,441 cans need extra support to read well: 40 percent of 4 all 4th grade students are reading below basic level. On August 28, 1996, President Clinton I announced the America Reads Challenge, asking N_Antr: all Americans to be part of a national, bipartisan request materials from the Education Department effort to ensure that children can read indepen- by calling 1-800-USA-LEARN or accessing the Girl Scouts of the USA dently by the end of the third grade. Education Department web site at is a key partner in the The America Reads Challenge will combine : READ*WRITE*NOW volunteer efforts with federal support that remains program. In Houston, The READ*WRITE*NOW! Basic Kit provides over 900 Girl Scouts within the framework of President Clinton's reading and writing learning activities to be overall balanced budget plan. Funds exist in the participated in a completed with an adult reading partner. training program to 1997 education budget for the America Reads The READ*WRITE*NOW! Partners Tutoring become reading tutors. Challenge, but Congress has yet to earmark the Program provides tips for reading tutors. funds. Just Add Kids is a resource directory listing A volunteer force of parents, educators and local groups across the country that link stu- librarians, senior citizens, employers, employees. dents with reading tutors and mentors. college work study and community service stu- Learning to Read: Reading to Learn. Helping dents, and members of religious, cultural, and Children with Learning Disabilities to Succeed community groups will be the backbone of the offers practical advice for assisting children America Reads Challenge. The goal is to recruit with special needs. one million volunteers who will be assisted by A number of national organizations have local 30,000 reading specialists and coordinators across affiliates able to match children with reading the country through the America Reads new funds tutors to help them improve their reading and to the U.S. Department of Education and Corpora- writing skills. For more information, contact the tion for National Service. After-school and following groups: summer instruction works best when it's coordi- nated between the classroom and tutoring sessions American Library Association so that lessons are reinforced both inside and (312) 944-6780 outside of school and students make continual B'nai B'rith Youth Organization progress. (202) 857-6633 In addition to mobilizing a volunteer reading corps, America Reads, when funded by Congress, Boys and Girls Clubs of America will provide grants to local communities and (404) 815-5700 organizations, along with national and regional Everybody Wins! Foundation groups, to help parents be their children's first reading teachers. Business and nonprofit groups (212) 832-3180 will be encouraged to get involved with schools Girl Scouts of the USA and libraries in the same way they have partici- (212) 852-8000 pated in the Education Department's national reading and writing program, International Reading Association READ*WRITE*NOW! The Head Start program (302) 731-1600, extension 220 will be expanded to boost the early reading success Reading Is Fundamental of one million 3- and 4-year-olds. (202) 287-3220 The America Reads Challenge will build on successful existing efforts to strengthen students' Book PALS reading skills. To get involved now, you can (202) 331-1550 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION POSTAGE AND FEES PAID WASHINGTON, D.C. 20202-0498 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OFFICIAL BUSINESS Permit NO. G-17 PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE $300 FIRST CLASS

Issue No. 43

17531 MquisitIonsMs-.Ju4ns .Smith Secretary Eric/ir Syracuse030 Huntinetan Universitw, Hall NY 13244-

National, State, and Local Resources Support Math and Science Achievement The new international study on math and sizing those that utilize technology to advance science achievement (TIMSS) has focused learning goals. Program descriptions list complete attention on the need to upgrade teaching and contact information, including an Internet address. learning in these subjects. (See story p. 1). To request a copy of Goal 5: First in the World Educators, parents, and community and business in Math and Science, call 1-800-USA-LEARN. leaders interested in improving math and science The booklet is also available from the Education education can draw from a wealth of national, Department's online library at state, and local resources. The U.S. Department . of Education's Eisenhower National Clearing- In Illinois, a consortium of 20 school districts in house catalogues K-12 math and science curricu- suburban Chicago is serving as a model for how lum materials, including print, video, and multi- local schools can use newly available international media resources, and disseminates information data on math and science achievement to improve about the collection online and through publica- teaching and learning. The "First in the World tions. The Clearinghouse collaborates with a Consortium" is an organization of local school national network of 10 Eisenhower Regional districts that administered the TIMSS achievement Consortia that work directly with local school test to 3000 students in grades 4, 8, and 12 in districts in their areas to implement exemplary 1996. The consortium received a grant from the teaching practices in math and science. The Education Department to support their efforts to Regional Consortia also refer teachers to a variety improve curriculum, professional development, Community of professional development opportunities. teaching, and their own student testing program, Update is published For more information on the Eisenhower and involve parents in math and science learning, by the Office of National Clearinghouse, and a brochure describ- based on their TIMSS results. The grant will also Intergovernmental ing the activities of the Regional Consortia and support reaching out to other districts that are and Interagency Affairs. contacts in your area, call 1-800-621-5785 or e- interested in starting a similar project. mail . You can access the online For more information on the First in the World Assistant resources of the Clearinghouse via the World Consortium, contact Paul Kimmelman at (847) Secretary Wide Web at . The com- 272-6880, extension 223. MARIO MORENO plete version of highly acclaimed standards The Family Math program helps parents Senior Director developed by the National Council of Teachers of participate more in their children's math educa- JOHN McGRATH Mathematics is also available at . sions so families can engage in hands-on learning The Education Department has published a newtogether. For more information about Family JOY BELIN booklet in the "Achieving the Goals Series," Math, or to start a program in your area, call (510) Designer entitled Goal 5: First in the World in Math and 642-1823 or e-mail BARBARA JULIUS Science. The booklet compiles programs and . grant opportunities of 18 federal agenciesempha- li Commwn'ty IFF

No. 44, February 1997 U.S. Department of Education An Important Time for American Education Editor's note: Last month, President Clinton reappointed Richard W. Riley as U.S. Secretary of Educa- tion for the second term of the Clinton administration. Below is a statement from Secretary Riley regarding the nation's education agenda as America moves toward the next century. This is an important time for American education. The American people are tuned in to education and have made it one of their highest priorities. We have more children than ever before in our nation's schools, and we will be breaking enrollment records for the next 10 years. And our schools must continue to pick up the pace to meet the challenges of the Informa- tion Age. Improving Yet, as always, public education must play its education should traditional and vital role of passing on to each new generation the uniqueness of what it means be at the center to be a "good citizen." The common school, full of a bipartisan of Americans of every race, creed and ethnic agenda that background, remains the great bastion of our prepares our democracy. Schools and parents working great country for together are central to our efforts to have our the coming times. children grow up free of violence and drugs. During the last four years much has been accomplished. President Clinton has broken new ut- ground on many fronts the creation of a new direct lending program, strong support for charter U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley reads to a schools, significant new investments in technol- young boy. ogy, historic religious guidelines for our public schools, a new emphasis on partnership rather Washington to focus in on positive and concrete than regulation, and strong leadership to establish solutions. In that spirit, I sincerely hope that the national standards of excellence. Congress will move beyond the issue of whether or During the election the voters listened very not the Department of Education should exist or carefully as the president laid out a very bold not exist. To my way of thinking, the American mainstream education agenda for the second people made it very clear that they want someone term. It is a forward-looking agenda, from at the cabinet table speaking up for education. improving literacy, to connecting up to the Improving education should be at the center of a Special Internet, to greater access to college for many bipartisan agenda that prepares our great country Insert on more Americans. I am excited to help the for the coming times. I urge Americans of all president and the vice president in this effort. political persuasions to see the improvement of Family Equally important, in re-electing the president, education as our great patriotic cause as we move Involvement the voters rejected the "blame the public educa- forward to the 21st century. (See inside) tion crowd." The American people sent a very clear message that they want those of us in LA) - - - :. to - "0 . 'S - OS

.. . . - -- Of I" 'o .i ) -0 - ' . . : : I.. a..' - 49 " Re - 4 ' -o - O. . :

-I -o- - " -a. "ff II . 0 " I . . - :10 -0 " a. .. March Town Meeting OCRE to Air Will Explore School-to- Teleconference on Work Opportunities: Connecting Rural Schools Workplaces as Places to and Communities to the Learn Information Superhighway

The March Satellite Town Meeting will offer Organizations Concerned About Rural practical advice to schools, communities, Education (OCRE), a coalition of 25 parents and students regarding school-to-work national organizations working to improve opportunities. Entitled "School-to-Work: Prepar- education in rural America, will broadcast a live ing Young People for Careers" the hour-long teleconference on Tuesday, March 25 to promote Town Meeting will air on Tuesday, March 18, at information technologies for rural schools and 8:00 p.m. Eastern time. their communities. OCRE represents more than The Department of Education produces the one hundred million educators, farm and rural Satellite Town Meeting series in partnership with groups, health associations and communications the National Alliance of Business and the Center companies. for Workforce Preparation with support from the The teleconference will offer case studies of Bayer Foundation, the Procter and Gamble Fund, successful technology models, and engage Microsoft, Inc., and SC Johnson Wax. Broadcast educators, government officials, and business and and cable partners include Discovery Communi- community leaders in an interactive conversation cations, the Public Broadcasting System, and on how to technology can help revitalize and Channel One. improve rural schools and communities.

The satellite coordinates are as follows... "The ability to use computers to solve prob- C-Band: Galaxy 9, Orbital Location 123 lems, gather information and communicate with degrees West; Transponder 2; Horizontal Polarity;others is rapidly becoming essential in the Ameri- Channel 2; Downlink Frequency 3740 MHZ; can workplace," U.S. Secretary of Education Audio Subcarriers 6.2 MHZ (Spanish) and 6.8 Richard W. Riley said. "American schools must MHZ (English). prepare their students for this increasingly Ku-Band: SBS-6, Orbital Location 74 degrees complex world...and we must bring technology West; Transponder 15; Horizontal Polarity; into the classroom." Channel 15; Downlink Frequency12068.0 MHZ; The live teleconference, distributed by the Audio Subcarriers 6.2 MHZ (Spanish) and 6.8 Public Broadcasting System (PBS) and produced MHZ (English). in conjunction with the U.S. Distance Learning To participate in the Satellite Town Meeting, Association, will originate in Washington, D.C. ask your local Public Broadcasting System (PBS) The teleconference will be available to downlink member station or Chamber of Commerce if your sites throughout the nation. Among those invited group can use the facility as a downlink site. to participate at the origination site are President Other possible sites are local schools, public Clinton, U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. libraries, community colleges, cable television Riley, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Daniel R. stations, universities and technical schools, Glickman, and Federal Communications Com- government offices, hospitals, businesses, hotels, mission Chairman Reed Hundt. Information on or even private residences with satellite dishes. establishing a downlink site is available from Call 1-800-USA-LEARN for further information PBS at 1-800-257-2578. El or to register your participation. El 63 Special Insert on Familyinvolvement ,,,,ies.c.i ,O 2' .*, Partnership , e2* for Familyi r%., .Involvement ,,o inEducation sReiig,

Miss America Speaks Out in Support of America Reads Editor's note: The America Reads Challenge asks citizens to volunteer to be part of a national, bipartisan effort to ensure that children can read well and independently by the end of third grade. Parents, educators and librarians, senior citizens, employers, employees, college work study and community service students, and members of religious, cultural, and community groups will be encouraged to become reading tutors and reading partners, assisted by reading specialists and coordinators across the country. Miss America 1997, Tara Holland, will be one of several spokes- persons for America Reads. In keeping with her "Literacy in America: The Power of One" plat- form, Miss America will reach out to individuals to get involved in making a difference in the lives of children by helping to strengthen their reading skills. Community Update interviewed Miss see anyone reading around them or think it's a fun Tara Holland, the 1997 America about her involvement with America activity, then they're less likely to do it. We need Miss America, met Reads. Below are excerpts. to make sure as parents and friends and older with U.S. Secretary of siblings that we read with them. I very much Education Richard W. CU: Why is the issue of literacy so important? support the older children in the home reading Riley to discuss her Miss America: Reading is the most important key support of the America with the younger children. Not only does it Reads Challenge. to children's success in life. Obviously we read in increase family unity, but it also improves the every single job that we do. If we're going to older child's reading skills along with the younger educate our children properly, they have to be able child's skills. to read and write well. CU: What is the connection between improving CU: What can people do to make a difference in adult literacy and improving literacy for chil- helping children read well by the end of the third dren? grade? Miss America: If you have parents or a parent Miss America: People can get involved in the who cannot read, then it's very likely that you're America Reads Challenge by becoming tutors and not going to be able to read. It becomes a perpetu- volunteers, by reading to children and allowing ating cycle. Parents who can't read are not able to children to read to them at home and at school. read to their children. The two best ways to make We know that the more practice you get, the better a child ready to go to school are to read to that you become. I think it's also really important to child and make reading materials available in the share with kids that it's fun to read. If they don't home. SU 64 Free Publications AvailableCollege Presidents Pledge, from the U.S. DepartmentStudent Tutors for the Of Education "America Reads" A New Understanding of Parent Involvement: Challenge Family-Work-School. These conference proceed- ings of the April 1996 conference held at Teachersy n response to President Clinton's request, College of Columbia University include summa- I Congress has created 200,000 new work ries of current research and good practices that support family involvement in education. To order,study jobs on college campuses. A large portion call toll free: 1-800-USA-LEARN. of work-study will be devoted to community service. Twenty-one college presidents of the Learning Partner booklets on helping childrennew America Reads Challenge College Presi- learn. These give parents ideas for helping their dents Steering Committee have pledged that child strengthen various academic and school- half of their new work-study slots will be related skills. A two-page sheet has also been dedicated to the America Reads Challenge. created from each booklet listing things families They have also pledged to recruit additional can do at home and describing a few home activi- colleges for this effort. ties. The following titles are available: It is anticipated that 100,000 student tutors Being Responsible! Let's Get Ready for School!will be getting involved in this effort at the Get to School Safely!Let's Read!* outset. If a student works as a reading tutor, colleges will no longer be required to pay one- Let's Be Healthy! Let's Succeed in School! quarter of that student's work-study costs. Let's Do Geography!Let's Use the Library! President Clinton has appointed Carol Rasco as Let's Do History! Let's Use TV! special assistant to Secretary Riley and director of the America Reads Challenge. Ms. Rasco Let's Do Math!* Let's Write!* previously served at the White House as assis- Let's Do Science!* Let's Do Art! tant to the president for domestic policy. [*Also available in Spanish] Members of the Partnership for Family Involve- ment in Education and the community at large To request a free copy of these Learning Partnerare encouraged to get involved in this nation- sheets, write to: wide mentoring and literacy effort. su U.S. Department of Education Office of Educational Research and Improve- ment National Library of Education 555 New Jersey Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20208-5721 ,

March Is National - .- Middle Level Education

Month A 1 - y aunched by the National Association of I I Secondary School Principals (NASSP) in Ito to- - - . 1987, and supported by the National Middle III "I A

School Association (NMSA), National Middle oti A Level Education Month is dedicated to "Making a 0, -

Difference in the Middle: High Standards, High ". Expectations for All." During the month-long I. celebration in March, community members and parents are encouraged to visit local middle schools and learn how they can get involved. For more information, contact NASSP's Office of II "11 Middle Level Services, 1904 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191 or call 1-800-253-7746. dI - :e.. Information is also available through NMSA at 1-800-528-6672. afi 65 Master Teachers Can Now Seek National Certification of Excellence he National Board for Professional Teaching TStandards (NBPTS), a nonprofit, independent organization, has awarded National Board Certifi- cation to 511 teachers nationwide as a symbol of professional teaching excellence. Offered on a voluntary basis, National Board Certification Ma 0,0 mmi,g, complements, but does not replace, state licensing. National Board Certification establishes standards of excellence for experienced teachers and pre- 1 sents an opportunity for professional growth to =.1L teachers nationwide. "I firmly believe that we must recruit, support, and retain the most talented people into teaching," -,-1111P" U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley said. "We must invest in high-quality teacher preparation and ongoing professional develop- ment, and that investment needs to be made at the school, state, and national levels. We must require tougher licensing and certification standards for Generalist (students ages 3-8); Middle Child- National Board Certifica- teachers, and increase dramatically the number of hood / Generalist (students ages 7-12); Early tion establishes stan- teachers who meet the demanding standards of the Adolescence / Generalist (students ages 11-15); dards of excellence for National Board for Professional Teaching Stan- Early Adolescence / English Language Arts experienced teachers dards." (students ages 11-15); Early Adolescence and presents an opportu- nity for professional Some communities and states are taking actions through Young Adulthood / Art (students ages 11-18); and Adolescence and Young Adulthood growth to teachers to reward teachers for seeking National Board nationwide. Certification. Others are exploring ways to / Mathematics (students ages 14-18). employ these recognized master teachers to not The primary mission of the NBPTS is to only teach students, but mentor and help improve establish high and rigorous standards for what the skill of other teachers. The standards of accomplished teachers should know and be able excellence of the NBPTS are based on five core to do, as well as to develop and operate a propositions: teachers are committed to students national voluntary system to assess and certify and their learning; teachers know the subjects they teachers who meet those standards. Applica- teach and how to teach those subjects to students; tions for the 1997-98 administration of NBPTS teachers are responsible for managing and moni- certification may be requested by calling 1 -800- toring student learning; teachers think systemati- 532 -1813. rj cally about their practice and learn from experi- ence; and teachers are members of learning communities. Notice Based on these propositions, the NBPTS is setting advanced standards in more than 30 certificate fields. The certificates are structured U.S. Secretary Richard W around student developmental levels and the Riley will deliver the fourth subjects taught. Standards are created by commit- annual State of American tees of classroom teachers, teacher educators and subject experts. These same standards are then Education address on reviewed nationally and extensively before final Tuesday, February 18 at 12:00 approval by the NBPTS 63-member board of p.m. Eastern time. This special directors, a majority of whom are classroom teachers. "My work with National Board Certifi- event will be broadcast live via cation has empowered me as a teacher and the satellite from the Carter Center certification itself has served as a vehicle to carry in Atlanta, Georgia. Call 1-800 me forward professionally," said Karen Carriera, a National Board certified teacher from Connecticut. USA -LEARN for the satellite During the 1996-1997 school year, the NBPTS coordinates. is offering six certificates: Early Childhood / U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION POSTAGE AND FEES PAID WASHINGTON, D.C. 20202--0498 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION , Permit NO. 0-17 OFFICIAL BUSINESS PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE $300 FIRST CLASS

175134 Ms. June Smit AquisitLons Sehcretor Eric/Ir 030 HuntAnst-on SI.Arocuse University, NY 13244

Arts Education Beneficial Month of March Highlights in Workplace and School the Arts Improvement Various arts education disciplines will be Educators, business CEOs, and leaders of arts celebrated in March. "Music in Our Schools organizations gathered recently in Los Month" is sponsored by the Music Educators Angeles at the Getty Education Institute for the National Conference and this year's theme is Arts to discuss the findings of the recent Business "Music...It's Worth It!" The "World's Largest Week special advertising section, "Educating for Concert" will take place on March 13 and will be the Workplace Through the Arts." They learned broadcast by PBS at 1:00 p.m. Eastern time. Dates that a quality education in the arts develops the and times may vary in some locations. For more habits of thought and the skills needed in the wv information, call 1-800-336-3768. Information Age economy. "My own view is that the ability to use color, A booklet of ideas for "Youth Art Month" is shape, music, rhythm, and movement is essential available by writing or calling Debbie Gustafson, to the finished product, primarily because of the Council for Art Education, Inc., 100 Boylston sense artists develop for idea sequencing a Street, Suite 1050, Boston, MA, 02116, 617 -426- crucial thinking skill," Will Tait, Creative Director 6400. This year's theme is "Art Can Make a of the software company Intuit, said. Rich Gurin, World of Difference." CEO of Binney and Smith, Inc. agrees. "We The American Alliance for Theatre and Educa- believe the skills the arts teach creative think- tion and the Educational Theater Association will ing, problem solving and risk taking, and team- sponsor the "Theatre in Our Schools" campaign. Community work and communication are precisely the The honorary chair this year is Craig T. Nelson of Update is published tools the workforce of tomorrow will need," Mr. the television series "Coach." Information by the Office of Gurin said. packets (free) and start-up kits ($30.00) are Intergovernmental The report provides examples of how integrat- and Interagency available by writing or calling Theatre in Our Affairs. ing the arts into a school curriculum can improve Schools, Educational Theater Association, 3368 the quality of education, increase student atten- Central Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45225-2392, Assistant dance, and provide savings for the business 513-559-1996, fax 513-559-0012, E-mail: Secretary community. For a copy of the report, contact the [email protected]. MARIO MORENO Getty Institute at 310-440-7315, or write to the Senior Director Getty Education Institute for the Arts, 1200 Getty National Dance Week will be celebrated this Center Drive, Los Angeles, CA 91149-1683. year from April 27 to May 3. Gus Giordano, jazz JOHN McGRATH dance performer, choreographer and educator Editor There is a limit of one copy of the report per person. You may make extra copies of the report serves as honorary chair. For more information JULIE ANDERSON if you include the attribution, "reprinted from write to or call Patty Golding, National Dance Designer Business Week October 28, 1996 special advertis- Week Coordinator, 142 Parkedge Road, Pitts- BARBARA JULIUS ing section, a division of The McGraw Hill burgh, PA 15220, 412-922-8226. Fp Companies, Inc." mg 7 11,

0 Conunwn'ty

No. 45, March 1997 U.S. Department of Education Putting Standards of Excellence in to Action Editor's note: On February 18, U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley delivered his fourth annual State of American Education address in Atlanta, Georgia. Below are excerpts from the speech, "Putting Standards of Excellence in to Action." The entire speech is available on the World Wide Web at >http://www.ed.gov/ news.html#speech<. Today, more than ever before, education is the This commitment is also why the president is engine that drives our economy. Educationfollowing Georgia's lead in proposing his own is now the great "fault line" that determines who Hope Scholarship program. Georgia's Hope Schol- is part of the American dream. The earnings gap arship pays tuition and fees for qualified Georgia between the educated and the less educated is high school graduates who attend a college or growing, and it will university in the state. continue to grow un- This is a big idea. less we educate all of Under the president's our young people to plan,workingand high standards. An av- middle-income students erage education just of all ages can receive a Education is now isn't good enough any- tax credit of up to $1,500 the great "fault more. for the first two years of This is why Presi- college.That amount line" that dent Clinton, in his covers tuition at the typi- determines who State of the Union cal community college. is part of the speech, gave us a bold This plan will go a long American dream. vision of what Ameri- way to making the first can education can be- two years of college uni- come. From helping versally available. Uni- our children to master t vernal another big idea. the basics, to better In addition, middle-in- teaching and modern- come Americans have izing our schools, to the option to deduct up helping families pay to $10,000 off of their for college through in- income taxes for college creased Pell Grants and tuition throughout their Secretary Richard W. Rileydelivered his fourth Hope Scholarships, the annual State of AmericanEducation address at the lifetime. president has made ex- Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia. We are, my friends, at cellence in education the door to a new time. our national mission. And, in this new era, we will not build with bricks The president and I are deeply committed to and mortar. We will build with minds with the ensuring access to higher education for every power of knowledge and with the talent of every ecial student who works hard to make the grade. This well-educated American who is eager to partici- Insert on commitment has taken many forms: the creation pate in our free enterprise system and strengthen of a streamlined direct lending program the our democracy. Family biggest increase in Pell Grants since its incep- The year is 1997, the issue is education, the Involvement tion, as well as Pell Grants for more students question is: will we meet the challenge? I believe cc inside) and a growing college work-study program with we can.gs a new emphasis on community service. b6 April Town Meeting Will U.S. Department of Explore Charter Schools, Education and PTA to Air Magnet Schools and OtherTeleconference to Promote Choices in Public Family-School Education Partnerships

The April Satellite Town Meeting will focus The U.S. Department of Education and the on charter schools, magnet schools and other National PTA will broadcast a live telecon- non-traditional educational choices in the nation's ference on Tuesday, March 11 from 8:00 p.m. to public school system. U.S. Secretary of Education 9:30 p.m. from Washington, D.C. Entitled Richard W. Riley and panelists will discuss how "Making Connections: A National Town Meet- parents, teachers, school administrators and ing," the teleconference will link family and communities can create innovative new schools school groups across the country via satellite in a that can improve teaching and learning in the national conversation about ways parents and public school system. schools can work together to improve the quality One focus of the program will be charter of education. schools, which are public schools under contract Hosted by U.S. Secretary of Education Richard or charter from a public agency to groups of W. Riley and National PTA President Joan parents, teachers, school administrators or others Dykstra, the teleconference will spotlight panels who want to create more alternatives and choice of involved parents, educators, business leaders, within the public school system. and members of state and local PTAs as they talk The Satellite Town Meeting will also address about family-school partnerships and other key magnet school programs, which gives parents education issues. Parents and teachers at partici- more choices of schools and is often employed to pating sites can join the live discussion via a help the nation's effort to achieve voluntary special toll-free number. desegregation in public schools. Entitled "Charter "Parent and community involvement are Schools, Magnet Schools and Other Choices in essential ingredients perhaps the most crucial Public Education," the hour-long Town Meeting components of building stronger schools and will air on Tuesday, April 15, at 8:00 p.m. Eastern increasing student achievement," Secretary Riley time. said. The U.S. Department of Education produces the Topics to be discussed include meaningful Satellite Town Meeting series in partnership with ways for parents to get involved with local the National Alliance of Business and the Center schools; how parents can become leaders for for Workforce Preparation, with support from the making improvements in their children's class- Bayer Foundation, the Procter and Gamble Fund, room and in their communities; and how schools Microsoft, Inc., and SC Johnson Wax. Broadcast can become more welcoming to family involve- and cable partners include Discovery Communica- ment. In addition, the teleconference will address tions, the Public Broadcasting System, and Chan- what parents can do to help children achieve in nel One. The program will be closed-captioned reading, math and science, and how businesses and simulcast in Spanish. and community organizations can help students The satellite coordinates are as follows ... learn reading, math and science to high standards. C-Band: Satellite GE1, Orbital Location 103 The satellite coordinates for the teleconference degrees West; Transponder 22; Vertical Polarity; are as follows ... Channel 22; Downlink Frequency 4140 MHZ; Audio Subcarriers 6.2 MHZ (Spanish) and 6.8 C-Band: Satellite GE1, Orbital Location 103 MHZ (English). degrees West; Transponder 22; Vertical Polarity; Channel 22; Downlink Frequency 4140 MHZ; Ku-Band: Satellite SBS-6, Orbital Location 74 Audio Subcarriers 6.2 MHZ (Spanish) and 6.8 degrees West; Transponder 15; Horizontal Polar- MHZ (English). ity; Channel 15; Downlink Frequency 12068.0 MHZ; Audio Subcarriers 6.2 MHZ (Spanish) and Ku-Band: Satellite SBS-6, Orbital Location 74 6.8 MHZ (English). degrees West; Transponder 15; Horizontal To participate in the Satellite Town Meeting, Polarity; Channel 15; Downlink Frequency ask your local Public Broadcasting System (PBS) 12068.0 MHZ; Audio Subcarriers 6.2 MHZ member station or Chamber of Commerce if your (Spanish) and 6.8 MHZ (English). group can use the facility as a downlink site. Call The live teleconference will be available to 1-800-USA-LEARN for further information or to downlink sites throughout the nation. Call 1- register your participation. Fa 800- USA -LEARN for further information. rig Special Insert Oil Family Involvement ... Partnership ,cb' for Family Involvement in Education

Community Schools Provide ExtendedLea'ng for 741417 7 Middle Schoolers ties: cooking, sports, arts and crafts, pho- Editor's note:The National Community Education tography, and dance. Association (NCEA) has been working with community Eleven teachers schools to develop on-site programs that extend supervised the pro- learning after school and during the summer months. gram with mentoring middle school sum- support provided by In West Philadelphia, two University of Pennsyl- mer camps provide extendedlearning opportu- nities that support students' involvement in their vania undergraduates. schools and communities: Turner Middle School The second on-site and Shaw Middle School offer enrichment and program at the Shaw basic skills to children and adults while also Middle School serving as meeting places for community discus- Summer Camp was sions and problem solving. They are the result of a launched with 100 comprehensive partnership among the University students. Open of Pennsylvania, the local school district, city, Mondays through state, and federal agencies, and community groups. Thursdays from 9:00 The goal of this community partnership, theWest a.m. to 1:00 p.m., the Philadelphia Improvement Corps, is to create Shaw camp created university-assisted, staff-controlled and managed, three small learning comprehensive community schools. A year-round communities: Science their parents, and Alliance, Leadership program involves 4,500 children, A_ community members in educational and cultural Institute, and Bridges Teachers and studen community to Employment. programs, recreation, job training, at Turner Middle improvement and service activities. Students, parents, teachers, and undergraduates from the University of Pennsylvania collaborated School, together with Turner Middle School Camp was launched in student mentors from on projects that contributed to theimprovement of West Philadelphia this past summer. The program the Universityof involved 120 students and was in operation daily both the school and the neighborhood. Seven Pennsylvania, devel- from 8:45 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Each student in the teachers supervised the program with assistance oped a fresh fruit and camp participated in activitiesin one of five small, from Penn undergraduates. vegetable stand as a personalized learning communities (schools- For more information on community schools service to theschool within-schools): Health Promotion; Conflict and education, please contact the NationalCom- and community. The Old Resolution; Writing for Publication; Environmen- munity Education Association (NCEA), 3929 projectwas part of a nutrition education ar tal and Community Studies; and Technology. Lee Highway, Ste. 91-A, Fairfax, Va. 22030; 703- outreach program. Students in each learning community worked 359 -8973; FAX 703-359-0972; e-mail . NCEA is a member together to complete projects that contributed to school and neighborhood improvement. of the Partnership for Family Involvement in Students also participated in recreational activi- Education. a '711 SPOTLIGHT ONTECHNOLOGY IBM is working with the Charlotte- about evaluations of programs,a primer for Mecklenburg School District (CMS) in North conducting evaluations, and frequently asked Carolina to help strengthen links between questions about the evaluationprocess. Separate school and home. Througha special grant, a sections address programs in Elementary and telecommunications network has been built Secondary (including Chapter I and Title I) within Charlotte's newest complex of four Education, Adult Education, Financial Aid, "break the mold schools" called the Higher Education, and Vocational Education. "Governor's Village." The network gives There is also a link to the U.S. Department of parents access to their children's teachers and Education's Biennial Evaluation Report, which schoolwork at night and on weekends, either contains brief descriptions of theprograms the from their home or at communitycenters that Department administers and contacts for addi- are networked to their children's schools. It tional information. also allows students to workon assignments The Association for Supervision and Curricu- after school hours, giving them additional time lum Development (ASCD), a member of the and activities to help them reach the district's Partnership for Family Involvement in Educa- academic standards and an opportunityto work tion, is offering a 15-minute videotape for with their peers on the same project from organizers of Net Day activities. Scenes from different locations. Parents, teachers, students, elementary, middle and high school classrooms and community mentors also can use the demonstrate how teachers and studentsare network's communication capabilitiesas the using the Internet to enhance teaching and basis for collaboration, discussion, evaluation learning. ASCD will make available to organi- and publication of student projects. zations one free copy that can be duplicatedand The U.S. Department of Education's Evalua- distributed for Net Day events. To requesta tion Web Site at is now online and is expanding North Pitt Street, Alexandria, Va. 22314-1453, monthly. The site contains detailed information or call 703-549-9110 ext. 410. ga PUBLICATIONS - II *0 Parents Are Powerful is anew resource from a the Center for Law and Education. Itprovides or or 0 parents with user-friendly information or on how to 4 get involved in their children's education, and re explains how programs suchas Title I, School- - to-Work and IDEA can promote academic achievement. To order, write to the Center for -I Law and Education, 1875 Connecticut Avenue, 50 - N.W., Suite 510, Washington, D.C. 20009.The a - cost is $4.00 per single copy, plus $3.00 postage or - i.1./ and handling. Phone or fax credit cardorders to 202-462-7687. For discounts on bulk orders, call --I 0 Or 202-462-7688. "I/ .1/. A t I Family Involvement Competition Announced - - - The second annual competition of the ApplePIE :99 44.9 (Parental Involvement in Education) Awardsis :99 90 ^ cosponsored by Working Mother magazine,the 0^ all Partnership for Family Involvement in Educa- tion, and Teachers College, ColumbiaUniver- SO. sity. These awards recognizegrassroots organi- la -- II zations, parent groups, schools, community . organizations, and businesses that have forged partnerships that support family involvement in education. For an application, write to Working 1:.I Mother magazine, 135 West 50th Street,New 8:10. I :1 York, N.Y. 10020, Attn.: Apple PIE Award,or ' - fax to 212-445-6174. .. I 71 . President Clinton Sends 1998Education Budget to Congress resident Clinton's 1998 balanced budget Corps to help children learn to read well and Pproposal makes the largest investment ever in independently by the end of third grade. The improving schools and helping families pay for Reading Corps would work with teachers, college. The investments include $2.9 billionfor families and community organizations by the expansion of programs that will improve providing reading assistance after school, on schools based on standards of excellence,provide weekends and during the summer. access to college for low-incomestudents through $5 billion for school construction, which the Pell Grant program, meet the challengeof would stimulate state and local efforts to higher school enrollments, and make college more upgrade and modernize school facilities, affordable. In addition, the budget includes $4.1 particularly in areas of high need. The billion in tax cuts to help working and middle- . program would pay for up tohalf the interest income families pay for college and $1.5 billionin on school construction bonds orsimilar new initiatives for modernizingschool buildings financing mechanisms, with a target of and for the America Reads Challenge. stimulating at least $20 billion in new con- "This budget supports the president's goals and struction or renovation projects. gives the American people the tools they need to The president is also proposing a combina- achieve them. It includes historically high levels tion of budget and tax initiatives that would of investment in every area of education from significantly expand access to postsecondary preschool to high school to college," U.S. Secre- education for low-income students while tary of Education Richard W. Rileysaid. providing new assistance to middle-class Key priorities of the president's 1998 budget families who are having difficulty paying for request for the U.S. Department ofEducation college. include: $7.6 billion for Pell Grants, up $1.7 billion, $620 million for Goals 2000, up $129 million, to fund an increase in the Pellmaximum to expand support for state and localefforts in award from $2,700 to $3,000 for low-income all 50 states and to set and implement standards students, and to expand eligibility for inde- of excellence to improve teaching andlearning pendent students. in order to reach the National Education Goals. Two other significant initiatives, while not $500 million for Educational Technology, up part of the U.S. Department ofEducation's $243 million, to ensure that all classrooms are budget, are the America's Hope Scholarship tax connected to the Information Superhighway, and credit and the Middle Class Bill of Rights tax to improve the quality of instructionin the core deduction. America's Hope Scholarships would provide a $1,500 tax credit for up to two subjects. years of postsecondary education,and the tax Doubling funding for charter schools to$100 deduction would permit a deduction of up to million to expand public school choice for $10,000 from income for payment of college parents by supporting the creation ofpublicly tuition and fees. Together, these proposals accountable schools, and to encourage flexible would save eligible students and their families and innovative methods of achieving educa- more than $4 billion in college costsin 1998. tional excellence. The U.S. Department of Education is also $7.5 billion for the Title I Grants to Local proposing changes to improve both the effec- Educational Agencies program, up $347 tiveness and efficiency of the student loan million, to improve school reading instruction programs. Loan origination feesfor needy for educationally disadvantaged children. students would be cut from 4 percent to 2 percent, the costs of subsidizing lendersand President Clinton is also proposing a significant guaranty agencies would be reducedand investment of a new mandatory program in two administrative funds for direct loans would be key areas: scaled back. The U.S. Department of $200 million for the America Reads Chal- Education's 1998 budget is now available on lenge, the first installment of a planned $1.75 the World Wide Web at >http://www.ed.gov/ billion over the next five years, which would offices /OUS/Budget98 / <. enlist and train one million tutors in the Reading 7 2 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION POSTAGE AND FEES PAID WASHINGTON, D.C. 20202--0498 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION,. OFFICIAL BUSINESS Permit NO. GM PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE $300 FIRST CLASS

175134 Ms. June Smith 1Aquisitions Secretory Eric/Ir Q30 Huntington Hall Syracuse University, NY 13244

TIMSS Report Helps Districts Aim Higher in Math Anew report from the most thorough interna- succeed in school, and later in the global tional study of mathematics and science economy, which demands higher levels of literacy education ever conducted is a resource that school and quantitative skills than ever before. districts can use as a guide to strengthen teaching The voluntary national tests in math and and learning. The Third International Mathemat- reading will be available in 1999, but the Educa- ics and Science Study (TIMSS) established tion Department is already working with states world-class standards of excellence in math and and local districts to help them prepare for the science, comparing the performance of 500,000 assessments. One valuable resource for improv- students, including 40,000 Americans, at levels ing math education is the report from TIMSS corresponding to U.S. grades 4, 8, and 12. Last entitled Pursuing Excellence. November, the 8th-grade results were released, The TIMSS report outlines stark differences showing that among 41 nations, U.S. students between what the U.S. expects of its students and scored below the international average in math some of its major economic competitors. The and above the international average in science. U.S. 8th-grade math curriculum compares to the Responding to TIMSS, as well as to the most 7th-grade level in top-performing countries. recent National Assessment of Educational Virtually all Japanese students study algebra and Progress (NAEP) in reading, President Clinton geometry extensively by the end of the 8th-grade has issued a challenge to states and school dis- whereas only 20 percent of U.S. 8th-graders have tricts to raise standards and improve teaching and completed algebra by that time. learning in the basics and core academic subjects. U.S. curricula and textbooks cover more topics The president has proposed voluntary national than those of leading countries, leaving little time Community tests of reading skills at grade 4 and math skills at for student mastery and depth of understanding. Update is published grade 8 that would be comparable to the widely In comparing teaching practices, researchers by the Office of accepted TIMSS and NAEP measures of student discovered through videotaped classroom obser- Intergovernmental and Interagency achievement. vation that Japanese instructors place a greater Affairs. Unlike TIMSS and NAEP, however, which emphasis on training students to understand math assess a sample of students across the country, the concepts and apply knowledge to solve real Assistant new voluntary national tests would be taken by all problems, along with the basics of arithmetic, than Secretary students in participating districts. Test results for their American counterparts who are taught MARIO MORENO individual students would be reported directly to instead to make calculations. Senior Director parents and educators, helping them identify areas For more information on TIMSS, including a JOHN McGRATH where more progress is needed so that students copy of the report, you can access on the World Wide JULIE ANDERSON ceed in school and in life. Students who master Web. To purchase a copy of Pursuing Excellence, contact the Government Printing Office at 202- Designer the basics of reading by grade 4 and the basics of math, including the essentials of algebra, by the 512-13 800 (stock number 065-000-00959-5).3fi BARBARA JULIUS end of grade 8 have the foundation to continue to 7 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OEM) Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) !ERIC!

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