This publication reports on the work of four universities in "The Public Schools Rewards Project: A Higher Ed Tough One, which was begun in 1995 and was designed to enhance the value that university rewards systems placed on faculty work with K-12 schools and teachers, and ultimately to improve the quality of education delivered in K-12 schools, colleges, and universities. Following the Prologue by Dan Tompkins, an overview by Crystal J. Gips describes the participating campuses (California State University, Northridge, Temple University (Pennsylvania), the University of Southern Colorado, and the University of Texas, El Paso); presents the project plan; describes what really happened and what was learned; and offers recommendations for other institutions. The next section includes institutional reports: "California State University Northridge" (Sharon Klein); "Temple University" (Dan Tompkins); "University of Southern Colorado" (Donna Watkins); and "University of Texas at El Paso (Kathleen Staudt and Jack Bristol). The report concludes with faculty life histories which explore their experiences in six disciplines: English, history, language and linguistics, political science, psychology and sociology, and science. Following an Introduction by Carol Stoel, the essays include: "Educational Renewal Connections: The Development of English Education at the University of Texas at El Paso" (Tommy J. Boley); "Learning To Teach: Where University Meets Universe" (Amy Birge); "Research and Student Achievement: Developing K-16 Work at the Institute for the Study of Literature, Literacy, and Culture" (Steve Parks); "My Experience with K-16 Work" (William E. Sheidley); "Education Renewal Connections: Experiences in History" (Nicole Etcheson); "Betwixt and Between: A Shifting Understanding of School-College Collaboration" (Morris J. Vogel); "Reflections of One Linguist" (Sharon Klein); "Educational Renewal Connections: Experiences in Modern Languages" (Joan H. Manley); "Personal Reflections" (Dan Tompkins); "The Eco-Literacy Project at Cal State Northridge" (Matthew Cahn); "Educational Renewal Connections: Experiences in Political Science" (Kathleen Staudt and Gregory Rocha); "Education Renewal: Prospects for Psychology" (Lawrence D. Cohn); "A Sociologist's Perspective on Educational Renewal" (Cheryl Howard); "The Public Schools Rewards Project: A Scientist's Perspective" (Steve Oppenheimer); and "My K-16 Involvement" (Jack A. Seilheimer). (Some papers contain notes. Contains 17 references.) (SM)