This article presents case studies from three districts implementing green cleaning. In 2008, Missouri passed legislation requiring state education officials to convene a committee of stakeholders with the purpose of developing green cleaning guidelines and specifications for schools. The guide, published by the Department of Elementary and…

Ten or even five years ago, it would have been a major undertaking for a school district to convert to a comprehensive green cleaning program. At that time there was little precedence and no "roadmaps" for doing so. Thus schools faced numerous challenges that included: (1) what defined a green cleaning product; (2) should a comprehensive program…

A study of five high-poverty districts making strides in improving student achievement revealed that these districts focused on systemwide strategies including new approaches to professional development; making decisions based on data, not instinct; and redefining leadership roles. (MLF)

Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP) grants give rural districts a new source of federal funds. REAP has two separate programs that address the specific needs of rural districts. The first is the Small and Rural Schools Achievement Program; the second is the Rural and Low Income Schools Program. Explains the differences in the programs and…

Evaluates the effectiveness of city and state takeovers of school districts to bring about school reform. Finds, for example, that city takeovers are linked to increases in student achievement in elementary schools and that when state takeovers produce administrative and political turmoil, student achievement suffers. (Contains 15 references.)…

Describes the expanded responsibility of state governments and local school districts to improve student academic achievement in elementary and secondary schools under the provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act, which expands the federal role in education. (PKP)