A r c h i v e d I n f o r m a t i o n Planning and Evaluation
Service This study examined changes in student performance in a
sample of 71 Title I schools. It followed a longitudinal sample
of students as they progressed from 3rd to 5th grade between
1997 and 1999. The LESCP had two objectives: (1) to analyze
student outcomes associated with specific aspects of curriculum
and instruction; and (2) to determine under which policy
conditions -- especially regarding standards-based reform --
potentially effective classrooms practices were likely to
flourish. The study was based on data collected in spring 1997,
spring 1998, and spring 1999. It included: standardized
achievement tests, teacher surveys, interviews with district
administrators and principals, focus groups of school staff and
parents, classroom observations, collection of state and
district policy documents, and information from student records.
- Students made greater gains in reading when teachers highly
rated their professional development in read