Parent and Community Involvement

includes strengthening parent involvement; designing school compacts, family literacy; school-community partnerships, community service learning, inter-agency collaboration (i.e., education, social services, nutrition, justice), school-to-work, business partnerships, etc.

Safe and Drug-Free Environments

includes assessment of risk/protective factors which impact on school/community environment; identification of drug abuse, violence prevention, and school safety/security program models of proven effectiveness; comprehensive action planning; and implementation strategies that help school systems institutionalize safe and drug-free learning environments.

School Reform and Improvement

includes efficient planning; implementation and continuous improvement of school wide programs and successful high poverty schools; integration of innovations; leveraging school support systems; improving resources for effective leadership; strengthening professional and group development; etc.

Standards and Assessments

includes use of academic standards; implementation of new state assessment systems; alignment and use of performance assessments (including portfolios and other authentic assessment) at the local level; data disaggregation, interpretation, and reporting on "adequate yearly progress," etc.

Teaching and Learning

includes alignment of teaching practices (to standards, curriculum frameworks, and assessments); examining "exemplary" instructional strategies; scheduling academic learning time; use of classroom ecology/management strategies; integration of early childhood education; improving the quality of instruction via staff collaboration and development; etc.