Covering the first 3 years of the Experimental Schools (ES) 6-year program (begun in 1971), this interim report presents: the conceptual design of the ES program; the 10 rural project sites and the 18 comparative school districts; the educational changes proposed by the ES projects; and the comprehensive evaluation design. Data presented on the research progress suggest: (1) the ES districts are indicative of a changing rural America that is less dependent upon farming and more economically diverse; (2) factors contributing to program readiness are social forces external to the school system, recognition in the system of unmet needs, experience in Federal programs, and administrative commitment to change; (3) factors contributing to project initiation are broad-based participation and influence, independence from extensive ES influence, school district acceptance of the project, and congruence between locally identified problems and project goals; (4) factors influencing quick implementation are expanding economy; high median family income; large, homogeneous, and geographically concentrated population; easy access to urban areas; and community satisfaction with community life; (5) influential organizational characteristics are experienced faculty, strong administrative leadership, teacher/administrator readiness for change, access to new educational ideas, coordination of teacher planning activities, and past experience with systematic educational change. (JC)
Authors
- Authorizing Institution
- Abt Associates, Inc., Cambridge, MA.
- Peer Reviewed
- F
- Publication Type
- Reports - Research
- Published in
- United States of America
- Sponsor
- National Inst. of Education (DHEW), Washington, DC. Finance and Productivity Group. Experimental Schools Div.
Table of Contents
- Schools program of th National Institute of Education NIE to 5
- A fresh approach to the nature and substance of the total cur- 6
- Reorgiunzation and training of staff to meet particular project 6
- On March 10 1972 a competition for ES grants for small rural ready a part of the normal operating costs of the district nor could to 15 percent of the annual operating costs of the participating 6
- The ES program required a research approach which 7
- The Site Ilistory and Context Study SIIS. This study has been 10
- 1 2 11
- Intended for prospective teachers and 12
- 1 3 12
- In most districts 14
- More frequent coordination of teacher 18
- 10 ES districts and the 18 comparison districts. The purpose of the characteristics of the 10 school districts that resulted in their selec- 19
- Thirdly we shall attempt to correlate pupil clumps in some im- 19
- Organizational Change Study. The ultimate aim of this study is contribute to or detract from effectiveness at later stages and if 19