A series of recommendations and the creation of four major groups in Delaware to develop long-range plans and oversee state reading initiatives form the cornerstone of the Commission's report. Last month, Colorado Governor Bill Owens released a broad-based education program, covering issues ranging from school governance to testing. Owens also would create Alternative Charter Schools for high-risk and expelled students. In most cases, a certification will be forthcoming, according to Mary Benson-Skipper, TechBoston director.
Students complete a competitive process to participate in the program.
A U.S. Department of Education grant awarded to Massachusetts funds the program. The school system works in partnership with the local private industry council and business partners. Researchers at the Consortium on Chicago School Research examined the city's 1996 public school policy designed to end social promotion and boost student academic achievement. Students who fail to meet the standard are required to participate in a summer program called Summer Bridge and retake the exams at the end of the summer. If they again fail to pass the tests, they are either retained in their grade, promoted, or sent to new alternative schools if they are 15 or older.