Collaborative Inquiry in the Arkansas Education Renewal Consortium / Robert L. Kennedy.

This report reviews the collaborative and evaluative efforts of an Arkansas education renewal consortium comprised of two universities and nine school districts. The reform originated from a smaller project that aimed to establish a broad communication base and systematic planning for meeting student needs. The current project, begun in 1985-86, also incorporated improved communication among district staff and community members as well as staff training, administrative leadership changes, and renewal expansion to other districts. By 1986-87, nine districts and two universities formed the consortium and adopted priorities that include: teacher education improvement, at-risk students, administrator preparation, clinical experiences, and data gathering and analysis. To meet these goals, consortium partners agreed to participate in collaborative inquiry. A task force recommended methods to document the renewal process, which included the following: letters of commitment from districts and universities, minutes of meetings, documentation of activities such as teacher workshops and public forums, a yearly evaluative survey of stakeholders' perceptions, and a yearly progress report. The consortium nevertheless expressed concerns about sufficient time to compile information and about the value of data. Sharing information on a regular basis enabled inquiry considerations during this developmental phase, and the renewal approach offered those persons with legitimate concerns opportunities for resolution. A list of consortium members is appended. (CJH)

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Microfiche. [Washington D.C.]: ERIC Clearinghouse microfiches : positive.