The Ford Foundation developed the Collaborating for Education Reform Initiative, providing grants to collaboratives in urban settings to improve the quality of teaching. Eight sites signed on, and the RAND Corporation assessed their progress. The authors found that, while none had met final goals, the collaboratives had varying degrees of success and some offered promise. By adopting such techniques as clear communication of expectations and involvement of school staff, collaboratives stand a better chance of success.

Of Progress Toward GoalsThe Alianza; Promote Quality in Teaching and Learning; Promote Policies That Lead to Quality in Teaching and Learning; Ask for More; Promote Quality in Teaching and Learning; Promote Policies That Lead to Quality in Teaching and Learning; Become a Voice for Collaboration; Austin Interfaith; Promote Quality in Teaching and Learning; Promote Policies That Lead to Quality in Teaching and Learning; Become a Voice in the Community; DC VOICE; Promote Policies That Lead to Quality in Teaching and Learning; Become a Voice for the Community; Grow Your Own

This report documents a formative evaluation of an effort begun by the Ford Foundation to develop collaboratives in eight urban centers from fail 1999 to spring 2003. The effort continues to evolve today.

In the continuing global call for educational reforms and change, the contributors in this edited collection address the critical issue of teacher learning from diverse national contexts and perspectives. They define "teacher learning that matters" as it shapes and directs pedagogical practices with the goal of improving student learning. This book weaves together major studies, research findings and theoretical orientations to represent a globalized network of inquiries into the what, how and why of teacher learning that shapes teacher skill and knowledge. Teacher learning matters on an international scale because teachers are the portals through which any initiative for change and reform is realized. Recognizing that a highly skilled teaching force is instrumental to improving student achievement adds import to generating interactive dialogue on teacher learning around the globe.

Distinguished historian and policy analyst Maris Vinovskis examines federal K-12 education policies, beginning with the publication of A Nation at Risk and focusing on the National Education Goals, America 2000, Goals 2000, and No Child Left Behind. In addition to discussing key policy debates, he also addresses the practical aspects of implementing and evaluating school and classroom reforms, drawing on his unique experiences working in the Department of Education during both the George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton administrations.

Bringing together a mix of researchers and practitioners, With the Best of Intentions examines the major goals of recent philanthropic efforts and looks at some of the key lessons--for educators, philanthropists, policymakers, and community leaders--of philanthropic contributions to schools and school systems. From the Gates small school initiative to the Annenberg challenge to the Broad prize for urban education, philanthropic giving has played an increasingly prominent role in recent years in education reform efforts across the United States. Yet while we recognize that philanthropic organizations influence education in countless ways, we know strikingly little about the extent, dynamics, and results of their efforts. This lack of knowledge calls out for urgent attention of total K-12 spending, it has a disproportionate impact in shaping reform agendas and promoting cutting-edge efforts to improve schools and classrooms. With the Best of Intentions aims to fill this gap, offering lively perspectives on the role of philanthropy in K-12 education. It opens by surveying the current landscape in philanthropic giving to education, then examines the major goals of recent philanthropic efforts: building new schools, supporting troubled districts, promoting school choice, and advancing educational research and policy. The book concludes by looking at some of the major lessons--for educators, philanthropists, policymakers, and community leaders--of philanthropic contributions to schools and school systems. An informative and multifaceted volume, With the Best of Intentions is also full of debates and controversies. It will be of interest to scholars, policymakers, and education and community leaders--as well as to the philanthropic community itself.