Links to Sites about Education and Education Initiatives

The D.O.E. Math Science Initiative was launched by the Education Secretary to increase and retain the number of math and science teachers as well as find out what methods of teaching math/science work

The Center for Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL), based at the University of Indianapolis, is dedicated to exploring and facilitating options and reforms in education.

The Public Education Network is a Collection of local education funders looking to mobilize education reform on a community level. PEN is most active in low income areas.

Links to School Models Suggested by the MCCS Graduation Work Group

Asia Society’s Network of International Studies Schools focus on broadening a student’s world view through the study of history, language and culture.

ATLAS Communities (Coalition of Essential Schools) were designed to streamline pathways across pre-K – 12 and to provide a comprehensive approach to improvement of pedagogy.

The Big Picture Schools model highlights learning through interest. It works through individual instruction to prepare lifelong learners who can learn without textbooks or tests.

Career Academies uses small learning communities to emphasis career development through courses, curricula, and field experiences as well as academic rigor.

Developed to address the issues of first generation Americans who are underrepresented in the post-secondary arena, Early College High Schools bridge the gap between high school and college. This is achieved through agreements between the high school and post-secondary institutions that allow students to earn college and high school credit simultaneously.

In Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound students learn by conducting "learning expeditions" rather than by sitting in a classroom being taught one subject at a time.

High Tech High emphasizes project based learning combined with in-depth teacher student relationships.

New Technology High School integrates social and cultural understanding through project teams that work on project-based curriculum. Technology is fully integrated into students’ work with a 1:1 computer-student ratio.

Smaller Learning Communities employ the theory that smaller class size and school size promote a more tightly-knit student/teacher community thus creating a nurturing environment. This model is not an academic model per se but rather an approach to school infrastructure.