Getting Connected

This report was made possible by funding from
The Wallace–Readers Digest Fund

It was developed cooperatively by:
Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation
16 East 34th St.
New York, NY 10016
www.mdrc.org

Career Academy Support Network
Graduate School of Education
University of California at Berkeley
Berkeley, CA 94720

Acknowledgments
MDRC and CASN would like to extend their thanks to Diana Tekaat and
Sandy Mittelsteadt, the main contributors to this guide.

Copyright © 2001 Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation. All rights reserved.

Guides and Handbooks

Articles

Documents Available for Purchase

Other Resources Available upon Request

Newsletters and Journals

Evaluations and Research

Websites

GUIDES AND HANDBOOKS

ABC's of Effective Parent Communication

Written by Emma McDonald and Dyan Hershman and published by Inspiring Teachers Publishing, Inc., 2000. This is a practical guide on the development of working relationships with parents, including tips for first contact, informing parents about student behavior, and getting parents more involved in the classroom. For ordering information, go to http://www.inspiringteachers.com/catalog/books/index.html

AñG Interactive Guide

This guide shows teachers in California how to have potential career academy courses approved for University of California entrance eligibility. It includes a description of the course review process, recommended format for course outlines, reasons for course rejection, standards of rigor and discipline criteria, design strategies to obtain approval, sample course outlines and descriptions, and an appendix of approved innovative course outlines. To obtain a copy, contact Roman Stearns, Project Coordinator, Office of Undergraduate Admissions, University of California, Office of the President, 1111 Franklin Street, 9 th Floor, Oakland, CA, 94607-5200; phone (510) 987-9696; fax (510) 987-9522; or e-mail roman.stearns@ucop.edu.

Assessment Toolkit 98

Published by the Northwest Regional Education Laboratory, 1998. This resource is for teachers looking for better ways to assess student performance. Volume 1 focuses on standards-based assessment, integrating assessment with instruction, designing high-quality assessments, and grading and reporting. Volume 2 contains supplemental resource materials. http://www.nwrel.org/assessment/toolkit98.php

Benchmarks for Success in High School Education:
Putting Data to Work in School-to-Career

Written by Susan Goldberger, Robert Keough, and Cheryl Almeida, 2000. This book describes in detail the process for holding accountable all the players involved in establishing community-connected learning. A whole-school reform strategy includes business and community partners, postsecondary partners, and school districts. The book also describes the experiences of school districts implementing and evaluating community-connected learning. By tying real-world performance measures to each stage of implementation, benchmarking provides concrete steps for which all participants can be held accountable. For a free copy, go to http://www.lab.brown.edu/public/pubs/benchmarks/benchmarks.pdf

Best Careers ñ by State

Produced by Votech Education. This site has drop-down menus by state from which users can select the best careers from the lists of the largest industries, fastest-growing jobs, highest-paying occupations, largest employers, plus career and job-searching tips. Go to www.votech.about.com/education/votech/cs/careersstate/index

Competencies That Count: Strategies for Assessing High Performance Skills

Written by Lili Allen, October 2000. These are case studies of selected methodologies that schools and employers use to assess high performance skills and that can be a starting point for those teaching students with a broad range of skills. Categories of assessment include on-demand, multiple-choice, or short-answer tests; self-assessment; competency assessment in the workplace; and competency assessment in adult education settings. To request a free copy, go to http://www.alliance.brown.edu/db/ea_catalog.php

Connected Learning Communities: A Toolkit

This 160-page manual, dated March 2001, is based on the approaches and materials that Jobs for the Future learned over several years working with several communities around the country. The chapters discuss using benchmarking, achieving rigor and relevance, creating small learning communities, extending learning beyond the classroom, structuring the transition to adulthood, using data to guide reform, and creating design studios. Go to the following website and search the site: http://www.jff.org/

Connecting Workplace Competencies with the Learning Standards

Published by the Massachusetts School-to-Work Office, 1999. This toolkit offers information for employers, educators, students, and parents. It shows how to develop an effective work-based learning experience for both students and employers, with five self-contained modules, a video, a CD-ROM containing reproducible content including a PowerPoint presentation, brochures that can be ordered separately, and a printout of overheads to copy onto transparencies/handouts. To find out how to get a copy, go to http://www.doe.mass.edu/stc/wbl_resource/toolkit/competent.pdf

Critical Issue: Using Technology to Improve Student Achievement

Published by the North Central Regional Educational Laboratory. 1998.This 15-page document addresses issues dealing with the integration of technology into educational programs. Besides personal video clips of teachers in the field, this booklet uses a step-by-step approach to show how to establish and implement a technology program. To download a copy, go to http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/methods/technlgy/te800.htm

An Employability Skills Training Curriculum

Published by the Professional Development Program. 1996. This site consists of curricula submitted by teachers from across the United States; it is described as SCANS compatible, most at the high school level. To download or submit career-related curricula, go to http://skillsusa.org/educators/pdp.shtml

Employer Participation Model ñ Connecting Learning and Earning

Published by the National Employer Leadership Council, 1996. This publication highlights the benefits of employer involvement in work-based learning programs, such as increasing the pool of qualified applicants to meet workforce demands; reducing the cost of employee recruitment, selection, and training; and enhancing the company's reputation and the employees' morale. To download a copy, go to http://www.nelc.org/aboutnelc/epm/epm.cfm

Foundations for Life: A Blueprint for Better Business and Stronger Communities
Through School-to-Work

Published by the National Alliance of Business, 1996. This guide is designed to show businesses how school-to-work can benefit students, business, and the community. To download a webpage summary and instructions on how to obtain the guide, go to http://www.nelc.org/resources/nelcnabpubs/schooltocareers.html

INFOMINE

Published by the Libraries of the University of California, 1994. This site contains an Internet collection for Kñ12 instructional resources. Users type in a topic of inquiry and receive a variety of information. They may browse by table of contents, subject, title, keywords, or recently added sites. http://infomi n e.ucr.edu/

The Intermediary Guidebook: Making and Managing Community Connections for Youth

Published by Jobs for the Future and New Ways to Work, 2001, revised. This guidebook is designed to strengthen local organizations that connect schools, workplaces, and community sources. Download a copy from http://www.intermediarynetwork.org/pdffiles/IntermGuide%202001.pdf

Internship Handbook for Career Academies

Written by Jerauld Winthrop, University of California at Berkeley, Career Academy Support Network. This handbook covers student internships, from the background and purpose to student roles and responsibilities, employer roles and responsibilities, and legal issues. The appendix includes many forms. To view or print a copy, go to http://casn.berkeley.edu/resources/internship.html

Involving Unions in School-to-Work Initiatives:
A Guide for School-to-Work Systems and Stakeholders

Written by Gail Kinney and published by the AFL-CIO Human Resources Development Institute, 1997. This guide is designed to promote a better appreciation and understanding of the unions' role in shaping and implementing work-based learning systems. To obtain a copy, contact AFL-CIO Human Resources Development Institute, 815 16 th Street, NW, Suite 320, Washington, DC 20005, or call (202) 638-3912, or order a copy from the following website: http://www.workingforamerica.org/documents/handbook.htm

Job Shadowing Day

Published by Education Edge, Tennessee Anytime. This is a collection of forms, letters, and recruitment information that has been field tested. To download a copy, go to www.state.tn.us/education and search for Job Shadowing Day.

Labor History Collection

Produced by the Englewood Public Library, Englewood, New Jersey. This is a list of author and book titles on career exploration, skills development, job hunting, and labor history, all with a focus on labor. It may be used as a guide to other documents for research projects. www.englewoodlibrary.org

Learning a Living: How Tennessee Plans to Prepare Students for Rewarding Careers

Published by the Tennessee Department of Education, September 1998. This is a guide to preparing students for the job market, making school count, developing educators and business roles, embracing technology, and funding community partnerships. To download a copy, go to www.state.tn.us/education and search for Learning a Living.

Learning Well at Work: Choices for Quality

Written by Mary Agnes Hamilton and Stephen Hamilton and published by the National School-to-Work Office, 1997. This 92-page guide is written for people in workplaces and schools who plan, direct, or evaluate work-based learning programs for youth. To download a copy, go to http://www.human.cornell.edu/youthwork/pubs/guide.pdf

The Massachusetts Work-Based Learning Plan Toolkit

Produced by the Massachusetts School-to-Career System. This toolkit offers five modules for people who are presenting work-based learning training, including Implementing the Massachusetts Work-Based Learning Plan, Mentoring and Supervising Teenagers, Workplace Safety, Connecting Workplace Competencies with the Learning Standards. http://www.doe.mass.edu/stc/wbl_resource/toolkit/

Mentor Handbook for Career Academies

Developed by the Career Academy Support Network at the University of California at Berkeley, this 89-page document has extensive sections on the roles and tasks of the mentor program coordinators and the mentors themselves, with a 30-page ìtreasure chestî of ideas, activities, invitations, and forms for use in administering mentor programs. Can be viewed and/or printed at http://casn.berkeley.edu/resources/mentor_handbook.html

Missouri Assessment Program

Produced by the Missouri Department of Education, 2000. This is a guide to related websites concentrating on interdisciplinary assessment, and it provides links to 20 sites with information on different aspects of assessment. http://dese.mo.gov/divimprove/assess/

Occupational Outlook Handbook

Published by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2000ñ2001 ed. This basic reference work provides estimates of future employment in virtually all fields. Users have three ways to access information in this document: by specific occupation, multiple occupations within a cluster, and all occupations. http://stats.bls.gov/oco/home.htm

PBL Handbook

Published by the Buck Institute for Education, 1999. This guide was designed to prepare and support teachers unfamiliar with project-based learning as they plan and implement their first projects. The easy-to-understand format walks readers through the basic information, from background through final assessment. To find out how to obtain a copy, go to http://www.bie.org/pbl/pblhandbook/index.php

Rebecca Smith's eRésumés and Resources

Written by Rebecca Smith. Smith offers information about several guides that she developed, with topics on electronic résumés and getting a job at Microsoft. She cites several other websites as points of reference, each dealing with issues pertinent to career development. To view her documents and references to others, go to www.eresumes.com

Scheduling Guide for Career Academies

Published by the Career Academy Support Network, University of California, Berkeley, March 1999. This guide is for anyone developing high-school master schedules into which academies can be fit, and scheduling students into those classes. Topics include block schedules, multiple academies, and creative variations. The guide can be viewed or printed at http://casn.berkeley.edu/resources/scheduling_guide.html

Three Keys to Technology Excellence

Written by Sharon Cromwell, Education World , 2000. This short guide shares firsthand experience with developing a technology plan. Those interviewed were cited by the U.S. Department of Education for having excellent technology programs in place. http://www.education-world.com/a_tech/tech032.shtml

WI Labor Market Information: Glossary of LMI Terms and Acronyms

Published by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, 2001 edition. This is an alphabetized list of frequently used terms and acronyms with a brief definition of each. http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/dwd/glossary.htm

Workforce Investment Act Fact Sheets

Published by the Working for America Institute, AFL-CIO, 2000. These fact sheets focus on labor's role in implementing the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, including why the Workforce Investment Act is important to organized labor, organized labor's opportunities and protections, youth councils, one-stop career center systems, and transition services. To download a copy, go to http://www.workingforamerica.org/documents/workforce.htm

Your Guide to Resumé Writing

Published by the National Association of Colleges and Employers. This guide offers answers to: What is a résumé? How do you prepare an effective résumé? What action words should you use in a résumé? What do employers want to see in a résumé? It also includes samples of résumés for viewing.
http://www.jobweb.com/resumesample.aspx?id=278&terms=guide+to+resume+writing

Articles

Awash in a Sea of Standards

Written by Robert J. Marzano and John S. Kendall, 1998. This site offers a multitude of information on standards: implementation guides, technical studies, record keeping, accountability, assessment, and related links. To download a copy, go to http://www.mcrel.org/PDF/Standards/5982IR_AwashInASea.pdf

Career Academies

Written by Kathleen Paris and Sarah Mason, 1995. This is a brief history and description of career academies. It would be a good resource for informational and recruiting brochures. To download a copy, go to http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/envrnmnt/stw/sw3caree.htm

Career Academies Doing the Job, Study Finds

Written by Jay Mathews, Washington Post , February 3, 2000, p. 1303. This article summarizes the findings of the Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation (MDRC), with references to its research and to Washington, DC, academy sites. To download a copy, search the archives at www.washingto n post.com

Eye on Academies

Written by John Gehring, Education Week , April 26, 2000. Gehring's article describes career academy studies and their benefit to some students, such as a sense of home, personal attention, and evidence of improved performance. To download a copy, search the archives for the title at www.edw e ek.org

Fewer Dropouts from Career Academy, Study Says

Written by John Gehring, Education Week , February 9, 2000. Career academies help at-risk youth stay in school, according to findings from a long-term study conducted by the Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation. To download a copy, search the archives for ìFewer Dropoutsî at www.ed w eek.org

How to Fix America's Schools

Written by William C. Symonds, Business Week , March 19, 2001. This article was the magazine's cover story and is available through its on-line version. It discusses the many options to help solve America's educational problems, including the concept of a school-within-a-school and smaller class sizes. To download a copy, go to http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/01_12/b3724001.htm

Making Schoolwork More Like Real Work: Exemplary School-to-Work Programs Show Promise for More Purposeful and Engaged Learning

Written by Adria Steinberg, Harvard Education Letter , March/April 1997. This article discusses the many students who are merely going through the motions of learning in high-school classrooms, and the importance of creating real-life relevance in classroom instruction. http://www.edletter.org/past/issues/1997-ma/making.shtml

Skills for Tomorrow's Workforce

Written by Srijati Ananda, Stanley Rabinowitz, Lisa Carlos, and Kyo Yamashiro, a policy brief from WestEd, 1995. ìSkillsî reviews the issues surrounding standards-based reform, with a particular focus on the use and integration of industry skill standards. To download a copy, go to http://web.WestEd.org/online_pubs/wor k force/workforce.htm

Study of Career Academies Finds Reductions in Dropout Rates and
Improvement of School Engagement

Published by the Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation, February 2000. This report on career academies compares Academy and non-Academy high-school students. To download a copy, go to http://www.mdrc.org/PressReleases/CareerAcadamiesPR.htm

When It Comes to School Size, Smaller Is Better

Written by Andrew Rotherham, Education Week , February 24, 1999. This commentary on information and research stresses the need to rethink the large-school concept and its effect on students. The consensus of researchers is that no school should serve more than 1,000 students and that many larger schools are having problems because of their size. http://www.edweek.org

Why We Need Small Schools

From Parent Power! October 1999. This article stresses the growing demand for smaller schools and options for parents to become involved. http://www.edreform.com/parentpower/99oct/99oct2.htm

Documents Available for Purchase

The American Almanac of Jobs and Salaries, 2000ñ2001 Edition

Written by John W. Wright. This document is updated yearly and lists the most current information about job classifications, duties, educational requirements, and competitive salary base. It may be purchased through the Internet for $16 at www.amazon.com

America's Top 300 Jobs: A Complete Career Handbook

Produced by Jist Works, May 2000. This handbook provides detailed information on 300 jobs, based on extensive market research from the U.S. Department of Labor. Descriptions of job skills, education requirements, advancement opportunities, and salary data are included as well as a special section on growth projections for the 500 largest jobs through 2005. To order a copy at $15.16, go to www.amazon.com

Balancing Local Assessment with Statewide Testing:
Building a Program That Meets Student Needs

Written by Stanley Rabinowitz and Sri Ananda, 2001. This brief describes important attributes of a model for local assessment. It walks the reader through the steps for building a local system that will elicit diagnostic information about which students are doing well, where they are struggling, and how the instructional program might be modified to address their needs. The document may be downloaded in a PDF version by choosing from the resource option for assessments at the following website: www.wested.org It may also be purchased for $8, product number KN-01-01, from the same site.

The Best Jobs for the 21 st Century

Written by Ronald L. Krannich, Ron Krannich, and Caryl Rae Krannich, 1998. This volume identifies 100 of the fastest-growing job categories, along with the education and skills they require, and also forecasts 20 major employment trends. To order a copy for $19.95, go to www.amazon.com

Career Academies: Partnerships for Reconstructing American High Schools

Written by David Stern, Marilyn Raby, and Charles Dayton, 1992. This full-length book explains the design and functioning of the career academy model and shows how it goes beyond traditional vocational programs to integrate academic and career-related curricula to raise student ambitions, increase career options, and provide a meaningful learning context for students ranging from potential dropouts to college-bound youth. To order a copy for $39, go to www.josseybass.com

Career Academy Toolkit: A Think It Through, Get It Going, Make It Happen

Planning Guide for Career Academies/Small Learning Communities

Written by Sandy Mittelsteadt and Diane Lindsey Reeves, 2001. This book is an interactive planning guide that walks educators through the process of developing and establishing a career academy / small learning community. To order a copy for $45, contact Bright Future Press at (919) 844-2402 or www.nca c inc.org

Education Partnerships: Strategies for Success

Written by Danielle Briggs and published by WestEd, 2001. This brief booklet identifies the key components or conditions contributing to partnership success. These components fall into the following areas: shared mission, goals and objectives, organizational structure and governance, leadership, communication, budget resources and external funding, culture as it relates to both collaboration and professional development, and evaluation. A PDF version is available at www.wested.org , or a copy may purchased for $8 from the same site.

High School Career Academies: A Pathway to Educational Reform in Urban School Districts

Written by Nan Maxwell and Victor Rubin, 2000. This book presents the results of a decade of research on a network of academies in one large urban district in California. Using both quantitative and qualitative methods, it examines student performance in high school, employment outcomes, and college matriculation and completion rates and compares academy and nonacademy students. The 237-page document is available in cloth for $35 (ISBN 0-88099-214-X) or paperback (ISBN 0-888099-213-1) at http://www.upjohninst.org/

Homegrown Lessons: Innovative Programs Linking School and Work

Written by Edward Pauly, Hilary Kopp, Joshua Haimson, and Hillary Koop; published by Jossey-Bass, March 1995. Through firsthand stories and experiences, the authors show how educators overcame challenges to introduce a range of programs from career academies and to restructure vocational education to tech prep and youth apprenticeships. To order a copy for $19.95, go to www.amazon.com

The Internet: A Tool for Career Planning

Written by JoAnna Harris-Bowlsbey, Margaret Riley Dikel, and James P. Sampson, 1998. This document describes the use of websites in career planning, with annotations of websites that counselors can use and models for integrating the use of websites into career-planning programs. To order, go to www.ncda.org

Job Finder's Guide, 2000

Written by Les Krantz, January 2000. This reference offers up-to-date information on 200 different occupations for job seekers looking for quick information on employment opportunities, qualifications, salaries, working conditions, and career advances. For ordering information, go to www.amazon.com

Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2000-2001

Produced by JIST Works. Updated regularly, this resource lists current jobs, the fastest-growing job markets, salary bases, and other job-specific information. Last updated in March 2000. To purchase a copy for $18.36, go to www.amazon.com

Preparing Students for the 21 st Century

Written by Donna Uchida, Marvin Cetron, and Floretta McKenzie, American Association of School Administrators, 1996. This report is intended to stir discussion about the needs of today's students and their schools. Chapters include what students must know to succeed in the twenty-first century, what schools can do to prepare students for the twenty-first century, and the roles of industry and community partners in this preparation. For $14.95, the report is available at www.aasa.org

The Schools Our Children Deserve

Written by Alfie Kohn, 1999. Kohn argues against the demand for tougher standards, saying it reflects a lack of understanding about how and why children learn. He urges educators to move beyond traditional classrooms and tougher standards while critiquing the heavy-handed, top-down, and test-driven approach to school reform. To order, for $19.20, go to www.bn.com

Skills for Tomorrow's Workforce

Written by Sri Ananda, Stanley Rabinowitz, Lisa Carlson, and Kyo Yamashiro, 1995. This article reviews the issues surrounding standards reform, especially industry standards, and discusses the history of the role of schools in worker preparation, types of standards under development, ways to create a more coherent standards infrastructure, and typical tensions. The HTML version of this document is at http://www.wested.org/online_pubs/workforce/workforce.htm

A Teacher's Guide to Project-Based Learning

Written by Douglas Fleming. 2000. This is an introduction to the ideas and methods of project-based learning. It is helpful as a starting point and resource guide, with 13 different types of projects, a step-by-step planning guide, an annotated list of references and resources, and project descriptions and comments from teachers using project-based learning. To order a copy go to: http://www.edvantia.org/products/index.cfm?&t=products&c=products&id=615

Teachers Who Learn, Kids Who Achieve

Published by Western Regional Educational Laboratory, 2000. This article is based on hundreds of hours of interviews with teachers, teachers' aides, teacher leaders, and principals. It explains how teacher professional development translates into learning gains for students. To order a soft-cover copy, refer to product #PD-00-01, $9.95, in the resource section at http://www.wested.org/cs/we/print/docs/we/home.htm

Workforce 2020: Work and Workers for the 21 st Century

Written by Richard Judy, Carol Damico, Carol D'Amico, and Gary Geipel and published by Hudson Institute Publications, 1997. This book analyzes the trends shaping the economy and workforce, the demographic makeup of the workforce in 2000 and 2020, the effects of globalization on U.S. business and the American worker, the impact of rapid technological change, the ìskills gap,î and the need for new models of education and training to prepare workers. It costs $16.95 in paperback from www.amazon.com

Other Resources Available upon Request

Block Scheduling: Innovations with Time

This is a 1998 overview of block scheduling, with examples from schools that have arranged their course offerings in the block schedule format. The booklet also discusses the benefits and concerns of block scheduling. Further readings and on-line resources are also provided. To order, visit http://www.lab.brown.edu/public/pubs/catalog.taf , or send an e-mail of inquiry to publications@lab.brown.edu

Education Policies of the 50 States

Produced by the Milken Family Foundation and published by the Milken Exchange on Education Technology, 1998. This survey, conducted in June and July 1998, provides current information on and insights into education technology policy in the 50 states. The survey data are in a variety of formats, including an in-depth narrative profile and quick-view comparison tables. The results are available at http://www.mff.org/publications/publications.taf?page=268

NELC Employer Participation Model: Connecting Learning and Earning

Published by the National Employer Leadership Council, 1996. This document describes a model developed to help employers of all sizes customize their participation in school-to-career activities, principally system building, working with students and/or teachers for career preparation, and strengthening company practices in the education supply chain. To order, call (800) 360-6352, or go to the following website for more information: http://www.nelc.org/aboutnelc/epm/epm.html

Thriving Together: Connecting Rural School Improvement and Community Development

Published by SEDL, 2000. This pamphlet provides resources and information designed to help rural schools and communities learn ways of supporting each other so that both can thrive. It is intended for teachers, principals, parents, community members, and students and is available in print in English and Spanish and, in English only, as a CD-ROM. For more information about this guide, contact Amy Averett at (800) 476-6861, or e-mail her at http://www.sedl.org/pubs/catalog/items/fam22.html

Toward Active Learning: Integrating the SCANS Skills into the Curriculum

Written by A. B. Crabbe, 1994. These documents include lesson plans for developing SCANS skills while teaching course content. Activities include information on SCANS skills, time required, ability level, materials required, and procedures. To order, an order form must be completed at www.richmond.cc.nc.us . The cost is $20 plus $4 for shipping and handling. For more information, contact Richmond Community College at (910) 582-7050.

Newsletters and Journals

ASCD Education Bulletin

From the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. This free, on-line newsletter includes items of interest to Kñ12 educators. Topics include curriculum, instruction, assessment, technology, equity, and community support. Those interested may subscribe at http://www.ascd.org/

BCER Update

From the Business Coalition for Education Reform. Each copy of this newsletter contains a comprehensive report of a specific topic pertinent to education and business. To sign up for electronic copies, contact coalitions@nab.com

Career Tech Update

From the Association of Career/Technical Education. This twice-monthly newsletter covers federal legislation issues and activities affecting career and technical education, research, model programs, and practitioner insights. A yearly subscription for members is $250 and, for nonmembers, is $275 through the website at http://www.acteonline.org/

The Chronicle for Higher Education

From the Career Network. This weekly, on-line newsletter also allows subscribers access to the Chronicle website. The site offers back issues, information technology, best-sellers, teaching articles and issues, articles by topic, Internet resources, and job information. www.chronicle.com

Connections

From the National Tech Prep Network. This monthly newsletter contains the latest Tech Prep news, with a focus on partnership building, curriculum, parental and community involvement, technology, work-based learning, and professional development. Articles from practitioners and legislative updates are included in each issue. To subscribe, go to http://www.cord.org/page.cfm/129

Education Journals and Newsletters Available on the Internet

From SCRE. This webpage links to journals and newsletters of relevance to education. Users may download content pages, select the full text of articles, or download the whole issue of a specific journal or newsletter. http://www.scre.ac.uk/is/webjournals.html

Education Publications

From Business Publishers, Inc. This organization publishes 50 newsletters and other publications covering education, environment, construction, energy, health, safety, and human services for levels Kñ12. http://www.bpinews.com/

Education Week

From Editorial Projects in Education, Inc. This is an on-line version of the widely read weekly magazine, including information on issues pertinent to Kñ12 education. www.edweek.org

The Employer Focus

From the National Employer Leadership Council. This newsletter dedicated most of its March/April 2001 issue to career academies and academy issues. Other issues discuss information related to education and industry. Copies can be downloaded from http://www.nelc.org/resources/newsletters.html

eSchool News

This free, on-line Kñ12 technology and education news and event newsletter is produced daily and contains educational topics and issues, surveys, and special reports. www.eschoolnews.com

Federal Register

Issued by the U.S. Government Printing Office. This daily publication lists federal agency announcements and information such as presidential documents, agency meetings, grant opportunities, and proposed federal regulations. http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html

FirstGov

From the U.S. Department of Education. This is a drop-down menu of current topics of interest relating to the government and education. Each option has a direct link to the identified site, including current education headlines and recent statistical reports. www.firstgov.gov

Harvard Education Letter

This bimonthly newsletter covers timely topics in depth from the perspectives of research and practice. Issues are available in full text or abstract format. www.edletter.org

MEL Education ñ Education Journals and News

From the Michigan Electronic Library Resources. This site makes available documents of historical interest and offers an education subject index. http://www.mel.org/index.html

NLS Newsletter

From the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This quarterly newsletter includes new data releases, error notices, completed National Longitudinal Survey research, and related information. Issues can be downloaded at http://stats.bls.gov/nls/nlsnews.htm

OnñLine Newsletters

From the Council of the Great City Schools. This site offers several newsletters: Urban Educator, Urban Indicator, Urban Administrator, Urban Innovator, and UESC Recruiter. www.cgcs.org

R & D Alert

From WestEd. This newsletter summarizes research and development under way at this San Franciscoñbased regional education center. It is produced three times a year. To view current or past issues, go to http://www.wested.org/pub/docs/116

Special Joint Newsletter

From the National Center for Improving Student Learning and Achievement in Mathematics and Science and Center for Research on Education, Diversity & Excellence. This joint newsletter addresses pertinent issues to the missions of both the CREDE and NCISLA. To download copies of the newsletter, go to http://www.wcer.wisc.edu/ncisla/publications/index.html

Evaluations and Research

AñG Interactive Guide

Produced by High School Focus Groups, 2000. This interactive guide was developed by the University of California to help schools better understand the university's AñG course approval process and criteria. A report of findings is included. To download a copy, go to http://pathstat1.ucop.edu/servlet/StoneGround?templateName=index

All Students Learning: Making It Happen in Your School

Published by the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory, 1998. This booklet is the sixth in a series of hot topic reports produced by NREL. It briefly addresses current educational concerns and issues, discusses research and literature, and makes suggestions for adapting these ideas to schools, including references and contact information. To download copies of any or all of the reports, go to http://www.nwrel.org/request/feb98/index.html

Assuring Quality Implementation of Proven Programs: The Importance of Staff Buy-In

Published by American Federation of Teachers, 1998. This report confirms that one of the most important ways to achieve the benefits of a well-designed program is to make certain that those who will use itóteachers and other school staffóare fully committed to the program before it is implemented. It also discusses ways to obtain and sustain staff buy-in. To download a copy, go to http://www.aft.org/edissues/rsa/Assqual.htm

Benchmarking Best Practices in Accountability Systems

Written by Peggy Odem et al.; published by the American Productivity and Quality Center, 2000. This is an executive summary of a report on key benchmarking points for seven areas of school accountability: leadership, climate and context, operations, human resources, data measurement and management, communications, and standards for teaching and learning. The full report may be downloaded; go to http://www.apqc.org/portal/apqc/site?path=root

Benefits to Bridging Work and School

Written by Daniel Shapiro and Maria Iannozzi and published by the Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science , 1998. The authors use the 1997 National Employer Survey to examine the benefits of better articulation of the nation's economic and educational systems, demonstrating that employers participating in activities related to school reform and the educational process can gain real and substantial benefits. To download a copy, go to http://www.thelearningalliance.info/Library.php

The 2007 Brown Center Report on American Education: How Well Are American Students Learning?

This is the seventh edition of the Brown Center Report on American Education. As in the past, the report consists of three sections. The first section examines the latest test score data on math and reading achievement.This year the analysis focuses primarily on results of the 2007 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), including a discussion of NAEP achievement levels. The second section investigates a general theme or trend in education. This year the second section scrutinizes enrollment patterns in private and public schools. Section three looks at an issue of policy relevance. International test data are examined to see whether a relationship exists between national math scores and the amount of time students spend learning mathematics in different countries. To download a copy, go to http://www.brookings.edu/reports/2007/1211_education_loveless.aspx

California Partnership Academies: 1995ñ1996 Executive Summary

Published by the California Department of Education. This is a summary report of data submitted by 42 state-funded California Partnership Academies. It includes information from two categories, program implementation and student performance. To download a copy, go to http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/gs/hs/cpagen.asp

Career Academies: Building Blocks for Reconstructing American High Schools

Written by David Stern, Charles Dayton, and Marilyn Raby, Career Academy Support Network, University of California, Berkeley, 2000. This comprehensive study of the growth and development of career academies provides in-depth information from recent studies. It discusses the growth and evolution of career academies, the effects of career academies on students' academic and employment outcomes, and the relationship between academies and other reform efforts. It is available to view and print at http://casn.berkeley.edu/clearinghouse.html

Career Academies: Building Career Awareness and Work-Based Learning Activities
Through Employer Partnerships

Written by James Kemple, Susan Poglinco, and Jason Snipes; published by the Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation, May 1999. This document presents research findings on career academies and answers such questions as Do they work? Do they improve student education and employment outcomes? Do they have a long-term payoff in helping students enroll in and complete college and become successful in the labor market? Go to http://www.mdrc.org/publications/70/execsum.html

Career Academies: Impacts on Students' Engagement and Performances in High School

Written by James Kemple and Jason Snipes; published by the Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation, February 2000. This evaluation demonstrates the feasibility and benefits of using a large-scale, multisite, random assignment research design to determine the impact of career academies on student outcomes. The report follows more than 1,700 students. To download a copy, go to http://www.mdrc.org/publications/41/full.pdf

Contemporary Issues in Mentoring

Written by Jean Baldwin Grossman; published by Public/Private Ventures, 1999. This study answers questions about mentoring programs: What are the essential elements of an effective mentoring program? How do you identify and document a quality mentoring program? How much does mentoring cost? Where do you find volunteers? To download a copy, go to http://www.ppv.org/ppv/publications/assets/37_publication.pdf

Digest of Education Statistics, 2000

Written by Thomas Snyder and Charlene Hoffman; published by the National Center for Education Statistics, 2001. This is a compilation of statistical information covering the broad field of education from pre-kindergarten through graduate school. Topics included are the number of schools and colleges, teachers, enrollments, graduates, educational attainment, finances, federal funds for education, employment and income of graduates, libraries, technology, and international comparisons. To download a copy, go to http://www.nces.ed.gov/pubs2001/digest

Elementary and Secondary Education: An International Perspective

Written by Marianne Perie et al.; published by National Center for Education Statistics, 2000. This report presents information on U.S. elementary and secondary education systems in foreign countries, including classroom characteristics, teachers, students, student achievement, educational resources and expenditures, and labor market outcomes. To download, go to http://www.nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2000033

Employment Experience of Youths: Results from a Longitudinal Survey

Produced from the National Longitudinal Survey, December 7, 2000. To download a copy of the survey results, go to http://www.bls.gov/news.release/nlsyth.toc.htm

Knowing and Doing: Connecting Learning and Work

Written by Lili Allen, Christopher Hogan, and Adria Steinberg and published by the Northeast and Islands Educational Laboratory, 1998. This review of high-quality learning strategies includes a comprehensive overview of project-based opportunities for students. Methods for incorporating work-based learning approaches into teaching practices are presented in six steps, with examples of successful application in real-world contexts. To download a copy, go to http://www.lab.brown.edu/public/pubs/k_and_d.pdf

National Center for Mathematics and Science

The center conducted an intensive, nationally coordinated program to advance effective reform of Kñ12 mathematics and science instruction in 1996. The research yielded classroom-based findings about effective instruction and new professional development models for sustained student learning and achievement in mathematics and science. To view the results, go to http://www.wcer.wisc.edu/ncisla/WHATWEDO/index.html

School-Based Mentoring: A First Look into the Potential

Written by Carla Herrera, 1999. This report presents some initial, qualitative impressions of two well-run programs. The author concludes that school-based programs show great promise and cost effectiveness and recommends additional research. To download a copy, go to http://www.ppv.org/ppv/publications/assets/35_publication.pdf

School-to-Work: Making a Difference in Education

Written by Katherine Hughes, Thomas Bailey, and Melinda Mechur and published by the Institute on Education and the Economy, Columbia University, 2001. This report examines the early effects on youth, teachers, and employers of school-to-work components that have been put into place. The results reflect the impact of particular types of initiatives on student outcomes. To obtain a copy, contact http://www.tc.columbia.edu/iee/STWrelease.htm

Small Learning Communities Meet School-to-Work

Written by Nettie Legters and published by CRESPAR, Johns Hopkins University, January 1999. This report describes specific reform practices and how some high schools are pulling together a number of reform practices to form a schoolwide approach to improvement, and identifies the challenges that schools encounter when reforming, based on the experience of several schools. To download a copy, go to http://www.csos.jhu.edu/crespar/techReports/Report31.pdf

Talent Development High School with Career Academies

Produced by CRESPAR, Johns Hopkins University, 1994. This is an ìeverything you need to know about the talent development high school modelî document. It covers positive effects on student achievement, vital statistics on the number of students served and programs established, support development, and the costs of maintaining a program. http://www.csos.jhu.edu/tdhs/about/model.htm

21st Century Community Learning Centers Evaluation

Published by Mathematica Policy Research, Inc., fall 2001. This research addresses concerns about the growing number of unsupervised children during the after-school hours and public interest in providing after-school experiences to enrich children's educational, social, and developmental skills. The study examines related student improvement in schoolwork, homework, and behavior. To download a copy, go to http://www.mathematica-mpr.com/education/21stcentsumm.asp

Work-Based Learning and Academic Skills

Written by Katherine Hughes, David Thornton Moore, and Thomas Bailey; published by the Institute on Education and the Economy, IEE Brief , no. 27, November 1999. These work-based learning reports concern employer participation, pedagogy for on-the-job learning, and connecting work-based learning with classroom-based learning. To download a copy, go to http://www.tc.edu/iee/BRIEFS/Brief27.htm

Websites

Blue Web'N

From Pacific Bell. This site can be searched by content, subject area, or grade level. Resources include tutorials, web-based activities, web-based projects, lesson plans, links, and reference tools. http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/bluewebn/index.cfm

Buck Institute for Education

This is a comprehensive site with extensive information on project-based learning and school-to-career activities. The site includes a variety of links, articles, research, technology, application, project examples, and a project creation process. www.bie.org/pbl

Business Coalition for Education Reform (BCER)

This coalition is made up of 13 national business-led organizations and 600 state and local business-education coalitions that coordinate their efforts to increase the academic achievement of students by promoting business involvement in education at the national, state, and local levels. The partners leverage resources and expertise, build partnerships between states and communities, and provide technical assistance to a growing network of state and local coalitions. It is managed by the National Alliance of Business. www.bcer.org

California Labor Market Information

Developed by California's Employment Development Department, this site offers labor market information by geography and subject, for employers and educators alike. Those interested can subscribe to the electronic newsletter on the back page of the site. www.calmis.cahwnet.gov

California School-to-Career Clearinghouse

This comprehensive site contains more than 3,700 documents. Users type in a topic of interest, and the screen then lists all related documents with a title, brief description, and ordering information. Many documents are available on a check-out basis. www.stc-clearinghouse.com

California Technology Assistance Project (CTAP)

This statewide educational technology leadership initiative provides assistance to schools and districts in integrating technology into teaching and learning. www.ctap.k12.ca.us

Career Academy Support Network (CASN)

From the University of California, Berkeley. This site provides a comprehensive resource designed expressly for career academies, with a variety of viewable and printable documents, including guides for academy scheduling, mentor programs, and internship programs. It also has a national directory of academies, and information on curriculum, research, a downloadable ìforms bank,î and links to many other relevant organizations. http://casn.berkeley.edu

Center for Research on Education, Diversity, and Excellence (CREDE)

From the University of California, Santa Cruz. This website enables users to select researcher presentations, view current research findings, and search through other resources developed by CREDE researchers and teachers. www.crede.ucsc.edu

Center for Research on the Education of Students Placed at Risk (CRESPAR)

From Johns Hopkins University and Howard University. This organization has spearheaded the application of career academies schoolwide and has developed a ninth-grade program called the Success Academy to prepare students for academies in grades 10 through 12. The site offers information about this Talent Development High School model, research reports, and practical publications. www.csos.jhu.edu/crespar

Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing (CRESST)

Funded by the U.S. Department of Education and the Office of Educational Research and Improvement. The center conducts research on important topics related to Kñ12 educational testing. Reports produced on different tests and testing results are available. www.cse.ucla.edu

Center on Education and Work (CEW)

The center's purpose is to enable educators to engage youth and adults in learning and career development experiences that lead to meaningful careers. The site includes research and technical assistance activities to strengthen the connections among educational institutions, workplaces, communities and families. It also includes a comprehensive list of education-related sites with direct links. www.cew.wisc.edu

Edinformatics

From Education for the Information Age. This site offers a variety of resources for educators: databases on curriculum research, reform, professional development; current issues of Education Week ; current issues and headlines related to educational issues; drop-down menus of subject area information; and state test updates. www.edinformatics.com

Education Index

The site provides an annotated guide to other education-related sites on the Web, sorted by subject and life stage. College and scholarship information is included for students. www.educationindex.com

Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC)

A longtime repository of a wide variety of documents relating to education, this database offers perhaps the most comprehensive list of materials on the Internet. AskERIC is a search engine within ERIC. When users type in the topic for which information is needed, an enormous drop-down listing appears. http://www.eric.ed.gov/

Education Resource Organizations Directory (EROD)

From the U.S. Department of Education. This directory allows users to identify and contact organizations that provide information and assistance on a broad range of education-related topics. http://www.ed.gov/

Federal Resources for Educational Excellence

This site offers hundreds of education resources supported by agencies throughout the federal government. The easy-to-use subjects include curriculum majors and vocation education. It is updated regularly. www.ed.gov/free

The George Lucas Educational Foundation

The George Lucas Foundation provides an abundance of information and resources for education. www.glef.org

GMS Partners, Inc.

This organization specializes in creating and sustaining small learning communities and high-school career academies. Attention is given to ninth-grade transition success programs and senior portfolios/projects. www.gmspartnersinc.org

Institute on Education and the Economy (IEE)

From Teachers College, Columbia University. The institute conducts research on educational reform and changes in work, technology, work organization, and the implications of those changes in relation to skill needs. It also studies the educational value of work-based learning and examines a variety of academy programs. http://www.tc.edu/iee/

Jobs for the Future

Based in Boston, Jobs for the Future is one of the largest organizations supporting and evaluating school-to-career programs and approaches, joining those working in education, business, government, and communities around the nation. Its publications on Kñ12 education reform are many and pertinent to career academies. www.jff.org/

jobweb

This site offers a multitude of career-related information, ranging from career planning to specific careers and job outlooks. www.jobweb.com

Magnet Schools of America (MSA)

This national organization, with many overlaps with career academies, offers a comprehensive listing of resources, plus a directory of magnet schools, their mission, job opportunities, and grant applications for schools interested in applying for a magnet school grant. www.magnet.edu

Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation (MDRC)

Based in New York, MDRC is a policy research firm dedicated to improving the well-being of low-income people. It has conducted perhaps the largest and most respected evaluation of career academies anywhere. www.mdrc.org

MPR Associates

Based in Washington, DC, and Berkeley, CA, MPR is a consulting firm specializing in management, planning, and research for elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education. It offers statistical analyses, policy development, professional development, and program evaluation. MPR has a sizable body of research and evaluation publications related to school-to-career programs and academies. www.mprinc.com

National Academy Foundation (NAF)

This membership organization based in New York supports a national network of about 500 career academies in the fields of business, travel and tourism, and information technology. Membership, which costs $5,000, provides a complete curriculum in the career field, professional development at annual conferences and institutes, and support in developing work-based internships. www.naf.org

National Career Academy Coalition (NCAC)

This membership organization, started in part by Philadelphia Academies, Inc., offers an annual national conference and variety of practical documents and academy directory information. www.ncacinc.org

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

From the U.S. Department of Education. This site is the primary federal entity for collecting and analyzing data related to education in the United States and other nations. It offers a drop-down menu that includes an electronic catalog, survey and program areas, an encyclopedia of Department of Education statistics, quick tables and figures, and ìfast facts.î www.nces.ed.gov

National Center for Research in Vocational Education (NCRVE)

Based at the University of California, Berkeley, through the 1990s, this site provides access to archives of projects and research completed there. The publications described on the site may be accessed through direct links. http://ncrve.berkeley.edu/

National Center on Education and the Economy (NCEE)

Based in Washington, DC, this organization focuses on improving educational standards and curricula and offers extensive materials related to both. It also supports career academies and works with several cities around the country. www.ncee.org

National Education Association (NEA)

The site offers documents and education-related guides, definitions of educational terms, and current legal movements and legislation pertaining to education, all of which can be downloaded. www.nea.org

National Employer Leadership Council (NELC)

Designed to bring together educators and business people, this organization supports school-to-career initiatives combining classroom courses and real-life learning. It also offers documents and other services to teachers, students, and employers. www.nelc.org

National Institute for Work and Learning (NIWL) Resource Center

The AED National Institute for Work and Learning (NIWL) was one of two partners responsible for the School-to-Work (STW) Learning and Information Center, funded jointly by the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor under the National School-to-Work Opportunities Act. To read publications produced under the STW Learning and Information Center, visit http://niwl.aed.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=resources.virtualLibHome

National Longitudinal Survey Annotated Bibliography (NLS)

This site provides an up-to-date searchable record of research based on data from all cohorts of the National Longitudinal Surveys. It contains citations and abstracts of NLS-based journal articles, working papers, conference presentations, and dissertations. http://www.bls.gov/nls

National Service-Learning Clearinghouse (NSLC)

The site is also known as the Learn and Serve National Service-Learning Clearinghouse. It provides information about all levels of service-learning, kindergarten through higher education, including community-based initiatives. The site has an impressive publications list, many free, with short descriptions and direct links to the relevant sites. www.servicelearning.org/

Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI) ñ Archived Material

From the U.S. Department of Education, this site provides national leadership for approaches to educational reform and improvement and related research. It offers information about approaches to reform, research findings, and technical assistance to those working to improve education. http://www.ed.gov/offices/OERI/index.html

SBCGlobal Knowledge Network Explorer

This site serves as the official website of Pacific Bell's education program, Education First. It supports education by helping schools, libraries, and colleges acquire and use the Internet and videoconferencing technology. www.kn.pacbell.com

VisionLink

This database program simplifies the coordination of work-based learning experiences. www.visionlink.org

Philadelphia Academies, Inc.

Career academies originated in Philadelphia in 1969, and this business-based organization was established to support them. With more than 30 academies in the city and some high schools moving to an all-SLC approach, this site provides information on the granddaddy of all academy locations. http://www.academiesinc.org/

Project-Based Learning (PBL)

This site is geared to teacher-specific information on the concept of project-based learning, project checklists, involving students in project-based learning, and customizable rubrics to download. www.4teachers.org

Regional Educational Laboratories (REL)

REL is a network of regionally based research and development centers providing information, training, and technical assistance to states, schools, and communities implementing school improvement strategies. www.relnetwork.org

School Notes

From Copernicus Education Gateway. This site enables school information to be posted on the Web, making it accessible to educators, parents, and students. www.schoolnotes.com

Southern Regional Education Board (SREB)

Based in Atlanta, SREB has the largest high-school reform network in the country. Called High Schools That Work, this standards- and data-driven approach supports the integration of career learning and academics and dovetails well with career academies. The site provides information on SREB's many lines of work and publications. www.sreb.org

State Department of Education Links

The site offers an alphabetical listing of state departments of education, addresses, telephone numbers, fax numbers, and website addresses. www.smartorganizations.com

United States Chamber of Commerce

Based in Washington, DC, this membership organization is interested in advancing the interests of business and offers political advocacy, education programs, business resources, and communication. Its members include large companies, small businesses, trade associations, and local chambers of commerce. www.uschamber.com

United States Department of Education

The U.S. Department of Education publishes a wealth of information for those with a stake in education. This site links many publications. www.ed.gov/pubs

Useful Sites from Other Organizations

The site was developed by the National Center of Research for Vocational Education. It provides links by country, research and development, vocational organizations, and institutions. http://vocserve.berkeley.edu

WestEd

This site provides resources for assessing states and districts, developing school leaders to institute schoolwide change, enhancing teachers' professional development, and finding ways for community-based groups to collaborate. www.wested.org

Additional Funding Sources

Columbia Education Center

This Portland, Oregonñbased website provides specialized services and resources for schools and other education-related agencies. www.col-ed.org

Education Funding News

From the Thompson Publishing Group, this is a free weekly publication on federal, corporate, and foundation funding opportunities in education. www.thompson.com

Education World Education Grants

This site contains entries on a variety of topics, including grants, grant writing, and grant availability. Sites are listed with direct links for easy access. www.education-world.com

ESchool News Funding Center

The Center offers a daily source for up-to-the-minute grant programs, funding sources, and technology funding information. www.eschoolnews.com/funding

Foundation Center

The granddaddy of private foundation information, this site offers access to specific foundations from among 57,000 available webpages, with address and contact information, proposal guidelines, typical sizes and numbers of grants, foundation websites, specific sector searches, and subscription to the center's monthly newsletter. www.fdncenter.org

Funding Resources and Agencies

This site, sponsored by the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, is a directory of direct links to various organizations and foundations offering grants. www.uncg.edu/rss

Grant Locators

Provided by Instructional Media Center, this is an abbreviated list of the often overlooked small grant opportunities available, with links to pertinent sites. www.vpl-imc.org

Grant Seeker's Budget Toolkit

Written by James M. Quick, James Aaron Quick, and Cheryl Carter New and published on January 12, 2001. The toolkit offers step-by-step guidance, insider tips, and everything needed to create the kinds of budgets and financial plans that win grants. Can be purchased for $31.96 through www.amazon.com

Grants

Developed by the Virtual Reference Desk of the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point, this is a list of links to sites related to grants, grant seeking, organizations giving grants, and guides for receiving grants. www.library.uwsp.edu

Grants Center

Sponsored by Education World, this comprehensive site offers grant resources, grant proposalñwriting tips, subject resources, and current grant information. It is regularly updated. www.educationworld.com/grants

Grants for Nonprofit Organizations

Written by Eleanor Gilpatrick, September 1989. This hardcover book lists a multitude of grant-giving organizations and foundations and covers all aspects of grant proposal writing from identifying a fundable problem to writing the final proposal. Differently styled options for the grant-making process are provided. The book costs $50 and can be bought through www.amazon.com

Grants Manual

Written by John O'del, Ph.D., Academy of Management Entrepreneurship Division, International Committee, this short handbook lists external resources for research based on a compilation of original and existing information on funding opportunities, and it also explains how to write a grant proposal. It was revised in 1998. A copy of the document can be downloaded at www.slu.edu

Grantwriting

Developed by Education World, this site provides links, resources, and guides needed for writing grant proposals. www.educationworld.com/grants/writing/index

The ìHow Toî Grants Manual

Written by David G. Bauer, July 1999. This manual offers advice on differences between private- and public-sector funding, ways to win a federal grant, and differences between foundation and corporation givers. It provides worksheets, sample letters, an extensive list of resources, and a practical step-by-step outline for preparing a grant proposal. The manual costs $42 through www.greenwood.com

Kellogg Foundation Grants

This grants database is organized around the W. K. Kellogg Foundation's programming interests. An application and other publications are available from the foundation. www.wkkf.org

McRel Funding and Related Resources

This easy-to-use site offers funding information and lists sites with direct links to other websites. www.mcrel.org/

Philanthropy News Digest

This free, on-line newsletter is provided by the Foundation Center. Current grants, their requirements, and contact information are included. www.fdncenter.org/pnd

RFP Bulletin

From the Foundation Center, this electronic newsletter is published weekly and offers an overview of current funding opportunities offered by foundations and grant-making organizations. A full RFP is available to download before preparing and submitting a proposal. www.fdncenter.org/pnd/rfp

SchoolGrants

This site provides resources for children, teachers/educators, and Kñ12 schools, plus a CD entitled ìLet's Write a Grant,î describing the grant-writing process. The site also offers more than 600,000 individual awards for college-funding opportunities. Users may subscribe on-site to the free, electronic bimonthly newsletter. www.schoolgrants.org

Some Grant Resources on the Net

This site is a lengthy list of available grants and foundations and information on grant proposalñwriting guidelines, grants by state, writing better proposals, and on-line newsletters. All sites listed have direct links. www.leeric.lsu.edu /index3.htm

United States Department of Education, Office of the Chief Financial Officer

An on-line subscription to the education newsletter EDInfo delivers two to three messages per week from the U.S. Department of Education. Each message features one report or initiative plus a summary, an excerpt, and information about where you can find more information about such topics as challenge grants, awards, and student guides to financial aid, budget updates, and research statistics. www.ed.gov/news/newsletters/edinfo/index.html?exp=0