NEPC Resources on School Policy and Organization

Robert Shand (November 7, 2024). NEPC Review: Systemwide and Intervention-Specific Effects of Denver Public Schools’ Portfolio District Strategy on Individual Student Achievement (Center for Education Policy Analysis, University of Colorado Denver, September 2024). Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./review/denver

Christopher Saldaña, Anna Deese, Kevin G. Welner, Kathryn Wiley, Tatianna Grant, Adam York, Michelle Renée Valladares, John L. Myers (April 25, 2024). Taking Equal Opportunity Rhetoric Seriously: Envisioning and Costing-Out a P–12 Public School System in North Carolina Where Every Child Thrives: A Working Document. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/rd-equal-opportunity

Christopher Saldaña, Carrie Sampson (February 16, 2023). NEPC Talks Education: An Interview With Carrie Sampson About the Role of School Boards. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/podcast-saldana-sampson

Robert Shand (February 7, 2023). NEPC Review: The System-Level Effects of Denver’s Portfolio District Strategy: Technical Report (Center for Education Policy Analysis, University of Colorado Denver, December 2022). Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./thinktank/portfolio

Bryan Mann (October 18, 2022). NEPC Review: Use of Personalized Learning Platforms in One Pandemic-Era Microschool: A Case Study (Center on Reinventing Public Education, June 2022). Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./thinktank/models

Kevin G. Welner (April 13, 2022). Why Is the Charter Lobby So Upset About Biden’s Proposed Regulations?. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/newsletter-csp-04122022

Christopher Saldaña, Gloria Ladson-Billings (September 16, 2021). NEPC Talks Education: An Interview with Gloria Ladson-Billings About Education Policy Responses to Pandemic and Civil Unrest. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/podcast-saldana-ladson-billings

Carrie Sampson, Sarah Diem (January 21, 2021). NEPC Review: The Third Way: A Guide to Implementing Innovation Schools (Progressive Policy Institute, October 2020). Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./thinktank/innovation-schools

Terrenda White, Anna Noble (October 27, 2020). Rethinking “Innovation Schools”: Strengths and Limitations of Autonomy-Based School Improvement Plans in Contexts of Widening Racial Inequality. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/autonomy

Christopher Saldaña, Janelle T. Scott (September 15, 2020). NEPC Talks Education: An Interview with Janelle Scott About the Emergence of Learning Pods. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publications/podcast-saldana-scott

(May 21, 2020). The New Normal Could Be Better Than the Old One. A Learning Scientist Explains Why.. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/newsletter-penuel-052120

Christopher Saldaña, Jillian McRae, Ann Dealy, Saa’un Bell, Kyle Serrette, Keith Catone (April 16, 2020). Education Interview of the Month: Christopher Saldaña Interviews Educators and Activists About Educational Equity During the Pandemic. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/saldana-mcrae-et-al

Martin Carnoy, Roxana Marachi (February 4, 2020). Investing for "Impact" or Investing for Profit? Social Impact Bonds, Pay for Success, and the Next Wave of Privatization of Social Services and Education. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/social-impact-bonds

Frank Adamson (October 29, 2019). NEPC Review: Beyond the Mirage: How Pragmatic Stewardship Could Transform Learning Outcomes in International Education Systems (June 2019). Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./thinktank/mirage

Clive Belfield (October 4, 2018). NEPC Review: Fiscal and Education Spillovers from Charter School Expansion (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, July 2018). Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./thinktank/review-charter-spillover

Donald J. Peurach, Maxwell Yurkofsky (September 27, 2018). Organizing and Managing Instruction in US Public School Districts: Considerations for Families, Communities, and States. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/instruction

(August 30, 2018). How to Sustain Community Schools − The Partnership for the Future of Learning Publishes New How-To Guide. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/newsletter-community-schools-083018

(May 15, 2018). School Closures: When a School is More than Just a School. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/newsletter-school-closures

Gregory A. Smith, Warren Simmons (March 7, 2018). Education Interview of the Month: Greg Smith Interviews Warren Simmons About Systemic Change in Schools. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/smith-simmons

Gregory A. Smith, Jeannie Oakes (December 19, 2017). Education Interview of the Month: Greg Smith Interviews Jeannie Oakes on Community Schools. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/smith-oakes

Gail L. Sunderman (June 13, 2017). NEPC Review: Leveraging ESSA to Support Quality-School Growth (Thomas B. Fordham Institute and Education Cities, March 2017). Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./thinktank/review-ESSA-accountability

Jeannie Oakes, Anna Maier, Julia Daniel (June 5, 2017). Community Schools: An Evidence-Based Strategy for Equitable School Improvement. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/equitable-community-schools

William J. Mathis (June 13, 2013). Research-Based Options for Education Policymaking - 2013 Collection. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/options

Mark Paige (January 15, 2013). Review of Failure Is Not an Option. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./thinktank/review-failure-not-option

Kevin G. Welner, William J. Mathis, Alex Molnar (January 23, 2012). Researchers as Resources: A List of Experts Who Can Speak to the Overall Knowledge Base on Important Education Issues. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/researchers-as-resources

Craig Howley, Jerry Johnson, Jennifer Petrie (February 1, 2011). Consolidation of Schools and Districts: What the Research Says and What it Means . Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/consolidation-schools-districts

Jeremy Kilpatrick (January 11, 2011). NEPC Review: U.S. Math Performance in Global Perspective: How Well Does Each State Do at Producing High-Achieving Students? (November 2010). Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./thinktank/review-us-math

Jeremy D. Finn (July 14, 2010). NEPC Review: The Impact of a Universal Class-Size Reduction Policy: Evidence from Florida’s Statewide Mandate (May 2010). Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./thinktank/review-class-size-florida

Richard Ingersoll, Lisa Merrill (May 12, 2010). NEPC Review: Teacher Layoffs: Rethinking "Last Hired, First Fired" Policies (National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ), February 2010). Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./thinktank/review-teacher-layoffs

Gregory J. Marchant (March 17, 2010). NEPC Review: The Shaping of the American Mind: The Diverging Influences of the College Degree & Civic Learning on American Beliefs (December 2009). Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./thinktank/review-shaping-american-mind

Bob Williams (December 16, 2009). Reviews Worth Sharing: Leaders and Laggards: A State-by-State Report Card on Educational Innovation (November 2009). Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./thinktank/does-grading-bias-apply-education-reports

Carol C. Burris, Kevin G. Welner, Jennifer Bezoza (December 14, 2009). Universal Access to a Quality Education: Research and Recommendations for the Elimination of Curricular Stratification . Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/universal-access

Kevin G. Welner (December 14, 2009). Reviews Worth Sharing: Tracking and Detracking: High Achievers in Massachusetts Middle Schools (December 2009). Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./thinktank/non-evidence-about-tracking-critiquing-new-report-fordham-institute

W. Steven Barnett (June 16, 2009). NEPC Review: Reroute the Preschool Juggernaut (June 2009). Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./thinktank/special-review-reroute-preschool-juggernaut

Sherman Dorn (March 4, 2009). NEPC Review: The High Cost of High School Dropouts in Ohio (February 2009). Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./thinktank/review-the-high-cost

Janette K. Klingner (January 1, 2009). The Intersection of Race, Culture, Language, and Disability: Implications for Urban Education. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/intersection-race-culture-language-and-disability-implications-urban-education

Peter W. Cookson, Jr., Kevin G. Welner (December 29, 2008). Fellows’ Education Letters to the President. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/Letters-to-Obama

Marisa Saunders, Christopher A. Chrisman (December 1, 2008). Multiple Pathways: 21st Century High Schools that Prepare All Students for College, Career and Civic Participation. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/multiple-pathways

Edward García Fierros, Mindy L. Kornhaber (October 15, 2008). NEPC Review: Education Olympics 2008: The Games in Review (Thomas B. Fordham Institute, August 2008). Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./thinktank/review-education-olympics

Clive Belfield (September 30, 2008). NEPC Review: Markets vs. Monopolies in Education: A Global Review of the Evidence (September 2008). Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./thinktank/review-markets-vs-monopolies

W. Steven Barnett (September 10, 2008). Preschool Education and Its Lasting Effects: Research and Policy Implications. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/preschool-education

John T. Yun (May 22, 2008). NEPC Review: The Effect of Special Education Vouchers on Public School Achievement: Evidence from Florida's McKay Scholarship Program (Manhattan Institute, April 2008). Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./thinktank/review-effect-of-special

W. Steven Barnett (March 24, 2008). NEPC Review: How Sound an Investment? An Analysis of Federal Prekindergarten Proposals (March 2008). Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./thinktank/federal-prekindergarten-proposals

Carol C. Burris, Edward W. Wiley, Kevin G. Welner (March 1, 2008). Accountability, Rigor, and Detracking. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/accountability-rigor-and-detracking

Sherman Dorn (January 9, 2008). NEPC Review: The High Cost of Failing to Reform Public Education in Missouri (March 2006). Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./thinktank/review-five-state-dropout-reports

Janette K. Klingner (January 1, 2008). Schooling and the Construction of Identity Among Minority Students in Spain and the United States. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/schooling-and-construction-identity-among-minority-students-spain-and-united-states

José Luis Santos (July 5, 2007). NEPC Review: Michigan Higher Education: Facts and Fiction (Mackinac Center, July 2007). Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./thinktank/review-michigan-higher-education-facts-and-fiction

Lawrence Mishel, Sean P. Corcoran (February 19, 2007). NEPC Review: How Much Are Public School Teachers Paid? (Manhattan Institute, January 2007). Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./thinktank/review-how-much-are-public-school-teachers-paid

Gene V Glass (January 8, 2007). NEPC Review: Report Card on American Education (November 2006). Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./thinktank/review-report-card-american-education

Holly Kurtz, Jennifer S. Silverstein, Kevin G. Welner, Samara S. Foster (January 1, 2007). Dropout Policies: Research-Based Strategies. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/dropout-policies-research-based-strategies

Kevin G. Welner, K. Martinez (January 1, 2007). The Use of Assessment for Curricular Differentiation. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/the-use-assessment-curricular-differentiation

Debbi C. Harris (January 1, 2007). The Promises and Pitfalls of Alternative Teacher Compensation Approaches. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/the-promises-and-pitfalls-alternative-teacher-compensation-approaches

Janette K. Klingner (January 1, 2007). Discarding the Deficit Model. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/discarding-deficit-model

Kevin G. Welner (January 1, 2007). Demanding More of Presidential Candidates. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/demanding-more-presidential-candidates

Ash Vasudeva, Raymond Pecheone (October 25, 2006). NEPC Review: Giving Students the Chaff: How to Find and Keep the Teachers We Need (September 2006). Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./thinktank/review-giving-students-chaff-how-find-and-keep-teachers-we-need

Derek C. Briggs (October 10, 2006). NEPC Review: Getting Farther Ahead by Staying Behind: A Second-Year Evaluation of Florida's Policy to End Social Promotion (Manhattan Institute, September 2006). Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./thinktank/review-getting-farther-ahead-staying-behind-a-second-year-evaluation-floridas-policy-end-s

W. Steven Barnett (May 31, 2006). NEPC Review: Assessing Proposals for Preschool and Kindergarten: Essential Information for Parents, Taxpayers and Policymakers (May 2006). Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./thinktank/review-assessing-proposals-preschool-and-kindergarten-essential-information-parents-taxpay

Janette K. Klingner (May 9, 2006). The Special Education Referral and Decision-Making Process for English Language Learners: Child Study Team Meetings and Staffing. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/special-education-referral-and-decision-making-process-english-language-learners-child-s

Edward W. Wiley (February 23, 2006). NEPC Review: Getting Ahead by Staying Behind: An Evaluation of Florida's Program to End Social Promotion (Manhattan Institute, February 2006). Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./thinktank/review-getting-ahead-staying-behind-an-evaluation-floridas-program-end-social-promotion

William J. Mathis (February 17, 2006). NEPC Review: The State of High School Education in Wisconsin: A Tale of Two Wisconsins (January 2006). Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./thinktank/review-the-state-high-school-education-wisconsin-a-tale-two-wisconsins

Janette K. Klingner (January 18, 2006). English Language Learners Who Struggle with Reading: Language Acquisition or Learning Disabilities? . Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/english-language-learners-who-struggle-reading-language-acquisition-or-learning-disabili

Janette K. Klingner, P. Edwards (January 1, 2006). Cultural Considerations with Response to Intervention Models. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/cultural-considerations-with-response-intervention-models

Kevin G. Welner, Carol C. Burris (January 1, 2006). Alternative Approaches to the Politics of Detracking. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/alternative-approaches-politics-detracking

(March 22, 2005). Research Reveals Teacher Working Conditions Key to Improving Student Achievement. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/research-reveals-teacher-working-conditions-key-improving-student-achievement

Carol C. Burris, Kevin G. Welner (January 1, 2005). Closing the Achievement Gap by Detracking. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/closing-achievement-gap-detracking

Janette K. Klingner (January 1, 2005). Addressing the Disproportionate Representation of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students in Special Education through. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/addressing-disproportionate-representation-culturally-and-linguistically-diverse-student

Michele S. Moses (January 1, 2004). Social Welfare, the Neo-Conservative Turn, and Educational Opportunity. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/social-welfare-neo-conservative-turn-and-educational-opportunity

Kevin G. Welner (January 1, 2004). The Overrepresentation of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students in Special Education. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/the-overrepresentation-culturally-and-linguistically-diverse-students-special-education

Kevin G. Welner, Haggai Kupermintz (January 1, 2004). Rethinking Expert Testimony in Education Rights Legislation. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/rethinking-expert-testimony-education-rights-legislation

W. Steven Barnett (January 1, 2004). The State of Preschool: 2003 State Preschool Yearbook. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/the-state-preschool-2003-state-preschool-yearbook

David C. Berliner (January 1, 2004). These Youths Deserve Better. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/these-youths-deserve-better

(December 1, 2003). Identifying and Implementing Educational Practices Supported by Rigorous Evidence: A User-Friendly Guide. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/identifying-and-implementing-educational-practices-supported-rigorous-evidence-a-user-fr

Theresa Huerta (January 1, 2003). Assessing Arizona's Dropout Problem: Why Current Measurement Methods are Flawed, and How to Fix Them. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/assessing-arizonas-dropout-problem-why-current-measurement-methods-are-flawed-and-how-fi

Charles M. Achilles (January 1, 2003). Class Size: Counting Students Can Count. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/class-size-counting-students-can-count

Russell Gersten, Linda K. Elksnin, Daniel Boudah, Janette K. Klingner, David Scanlon (January 1, 2003). Important Publications in the Field of LD in Light of Imminent Topics. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/important-publications-field-ld-light-imminent-topics

Kathy Escamilla, S. Shannon, S. Carlos, J. García (January 1, 2003). Breaking the Code: Colorado's Defeat of the Anti-Bilingual Education Initiative (Amendment 31). Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/breaking-code-colorados-defeat-anti-bilingual-education-initiative-amendment-31

Janette K. Klingner, Alfredo J. Artiles (January 1, 2003). When Should Bilingual Students Be in Special Education?. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/when-should-bilingual-students-be-special-education

S. Vaughn, Janette K. Klingner (January 1, 2002). The Changing Roles and Responsibilities of an LD Specialist. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/the-changing-roles-and-responsibilities-ld-specialist

Kenneth R. Howe, Kevin G. Welner (January 1, 2002). School Choice and the Pressure to Perform: Déjà Vu for Children with Disabilities?. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/school-choice-and-pressure-perform-d%C3%A9j%C3%A0-vu-children-with-disabilities

Kevin G. Welner (January 1, 2002). Ability Tracking: What Role for the Courts?. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/ability-tracking-what-role-courts

Daniel J. Losen, Kevin G. Welner (January 1, 2001). Disabling Discrimination in Our Public Schools: Comprehensive Legal Challenges to Inappropriate and Inadequate Special Education. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/disabling-discrimination-our-public-schools-comprehensive-legal-challenges-inappropriate

(January 1, 2001). Reducing Class Size to Enhance Learning. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/reducing-class-size-enhance-learning

M. Coady, Kathy Escamilla (January 1, 2001). Assessing the Writing of Spanish Speaking Students: Issues and Suggestions. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/assessing-writing-spanish-speaking-students-issues-and-suggestions

Kevin G. Welner (January 1, 2001). Legal Rights, Local Wrongs: When Community Control Collides with Educational Equity. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/legal-rights-local-wrongs-when-community-control-collides-with-educational-equity

Kevin G. Welner (January 1, 2001). Tracking in an Era of Standards: Low-Expectation Classes Meet High-Expectation Laws. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/tracking-era-standards-low-expectation-classes-meet-high-expectation-laws

T. Parrish, Edward W. Wiley, G. W. Bohrnstedt (January 1, 2001). Class Size Reduction and Special Education Referrals and Placements. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/class-size-reduction-and-special-education-referrals-and-placements

Ruben Donato, Marvin Lazerson (January 1, 2000). New Directions in American Educational History: Problems and Prospects. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/new-directions-american-educational-history-problems-and-prospects

Kevin G. Welner (January 1, 2000). Navigating the Politics of Detracking. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/navigating-politics-detracking

S. Vaughn, Janette K. Klingner (January 1, 1999). Teaching Reading Comprehension Through Collaborative Strategic Reading Intervention. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/teaching-reading-comprehension-through-collaborative-strategic-reading-intervention

M. E. Arguelles, M. T. Hughes, Janette K. Klingner, S. Vaughn (January 1, 1999). Sustaining Research-Based Practices in Reading: A Three-Year Follow-Up. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/sustaining-research-based-practices-reading-a-three-year-follow-up

J. S. Schumm, S. Vaughn, Janette K. Klingner (January 1, 1998). Collaborative Strategic Reading During Social Studies in Heterogeneous Fourth-Grade Classrooms. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/collaborative-strategic-reading-during-social-studies-heterogeneous-fourth-grade-classro

Mary Lee Smith (January 1, 1998). On the Success of Failure: A Rejoinder to Alexander. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/on-success-failure-a-rejoinder-alexander

Janette K. Klingner, J. W. Forgan, P. Cohen, S. Vaughn, J. S. Schumm (January 1, 1998). Inclusion or Pull-Out: Which Do Students Prefer?. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/inclusion-or-pull-out-which-do-students-prefer

S. Vaughn, J. S. Schumm, B. Elbaum, M. T. Hughes, Janette K. Klingner (January 1, 1998). Outcomes for Students With and Without Learning Disabilities in Inclusive Classrooms. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/outcomes-students-with-and-without-learning-disabilities-inclusive-classrooms

Janette K. Klingner, S. Vaughn, M. T. Hughes, J. S. Schumm (January 1, 1998). A Collaborative Effort to Enhance Reading and Writing Instruction in Inclusion Classrooms. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/a-collaborative-effort-enhance-reading-and-writing-instruction-inclusion-classrooms

Janette K. Klingner, S. Vaughn (January 1, 1996). Reciprocal Teaching of Reading Comprehension Strategies for Students with Learning Disabilities Who Use English as a Second La. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/reciprocal-teaching-reading-comprehension-strategies-students-with-learning-disabilities

Janette K. Klingner, S. Vaughn, L. Saumell, J. S. Schumm (January 1, 1995). Students' Views of Instructional Practices: Implications for Inclusion. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/students-views-instructional-practices-implications-inclusion

Lorrie Shepard (January 1, 1992). Commentary: What Policymakers Who Mandate Tests Should Know About the New Psychology of Intellectual Ability and Learning. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/commentary-what-policy-makers-who-mandate-tests-should-know-about-new-psychology-intelle

Lorrie Shepard (January 1, 1987). The New Push for Excellence: Widening the Schism Between Regular and Special Education. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/new-push-excellence-widening-schism-between-regular-and-special-education

Mary Lee Smith, Lorrie Shepard (January 1, 1987). What Doesn't Work: Explaining Policies of Retention in Early Grades. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/what-doesnt-work-explaining-policies-retention-early-grades

W. A. Davis (January 1, 1983). Specialists' Use of Tests and Clinical Judgment in the Diagnosis of Learning Disabilities. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/specialists-use-tests-and-clinical-judgment-diagnosis-learning-disabilities

Mary Lee Smith (January 1, 1983). An Evaluation of the Identification of Learning Disabled Students in Colorado. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/an-evaluation-identification-learning-disabled-students-colorado

Mary Lee Smith (January 1, 1983). Characteristics of Pupils Identified as Learning Disabled. Available at: https://nepc.colorado.edu./publication/characteristics-pupils-identified-learning-disabled