Southern Regional Education Board Latest Reports

Latest Reports

2008 Legislative Report No. 4    (June 2008)
Final actions in Florida, Mississippi and Virginia, plus the governor’s proposal in North Carolina and notes from other SREB states
(08S04); 8 pages; 2008;   free

2008 SREB Annual Report: On the Move    (June 2008)
The 2008 Southern Regional Education Board annual report describes SREB’s most recent achievements and its wide range of services to help its 16 member states stay on the move in improving education over the last year. The report also includes remarks from the Board Chair and President, acknowledges chief contributors and lists members of the Board, Legislative Advisory Council and SREB staff.
(08E03); 24 pages; 2008;   free

A Plan to Help Teachers and School Supervisors Implement Seven Tips to Improve Instructional Skills    (June 2008)
This report provides a plan that teachers and school supervisors can use to implement seven tips for improving instructional skills. Designed to be referred to regularly, it includes three levels of implementation, as well as recommendations for utilizing technology to support each tip.
(08T02); 22 pages; 2008;   free

Charting a Course for Greater Faculty Diversity    (June 2008)
Created in 1993, the SREB-State Doctoral Scholars Program works to reduce the shortage of racial/ethnic minority faculty members at institutions of higher learning. This publication honors the program’s many achievements and its graduates, including the 400th graduate and the Mark Musick Doctoral Scholar graduates. A list of all program graduates to date is provided by state.
(08E07); 16 pages; 2008;   free

Set for Success: Improving Reading and Mathematics Achievement in the Early Grades    (June 2008)
This report, part of the Challenge to Lead education goals series, documents the continued progress of SREB states in preparing early grades students for success in the middle grades — and beyond. It analyzes scores on state assessments and the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) and discusses what states are doing to improve early grades reading instruction, including the federally funded Reading First program. It also presents intervention policies in SREB states and effective ways to meet the needs of students not yet achieving at grade level.
(08E05); 34 pages; 2008;   $5

SREB: A Legacy of Leadership    (June 2008)
In 2008, the Southern Regional Education Board marks 60 years of helping its member states improve education. This brochure describes six decades of growth in SREB programs and services and highlights many milestones in SREB history.
(08E06); 2008;   free

2008 Legislative Report No. 3    (May 2008)
Final actions in Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland and West Virginia, plus brief notes on legislative sessions in Mississippi, Florida, Virginia and North Carolina
(08S03); 8 pages; 2008;   free

Making Career/Technical Studies an Essential Part of High School Reform    (May 2008)
In November 2007, SREB convened a forum of state leaders to focus on the role career/technical studies can play in improving achievement, high school completion rates and postsecondary attendance, and on state policies that can aid realization of this potential. Attendees’ discussions and presentations revealed promising practices and challenges being faced across the country. This report highlights the important work being done — and work still needed — to fully realize the potential of career/technical education in high school reform.
(08V12); 16 pages; 2008;   free

Evaluation Criteria for SREB-SCORE Assets    (April 2008)
This publication (and its companion document, Evaluation Criteria for SREB-SCORE Learning Objects) is designed to help participating state agencies review and confirm the quality of digital learning content, including assets. It includes more than 10 evaluation criteria, plus an appendix that describes four characteristics of digital learning resources.
(08T01); 5 pages; 2008;   $2

Planning for Improved Student Achievement: Ten Steps for Planning and Writing Standards-Based Units    (April 2008)
Data from national assessments and classroom visits show that many state assessments hold students to minimum standards, resulting in many students not being taught to true grade level. To help schools get significantly more students achieving at the proficient level, SREB has developed this guide to planning and writing standards-based units. Standards-based units focus on rigorous lessons, quality assessment and the personal attention that gives meaning to learning. This guide explains what standards-based units look like, how they work and how they can be developed, using a 10-step process.
(08V05); 64 pages; 2008;   $10

Fact Book Bulletin: SREB States Lead Growth as U.S. Population Tops 300    (March 2008)
In 2007, the U.S. population passed the 300 million mark. More than half of the nation’s population growth over the next 20 years will be in SREB states, which implies ongoing educational challenges for the region. This Bulletin looks at projected changes in the regional population through 2030, including state-by-state data.
(08E01); 2 pages; 2008;   free

2008 Legislative Report No. 2    (March 2008)
Governors’ proposals in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Oklahoma
(08S02); 5 pages; 2008;   free

Crafting A New Vision for High School: How States Can Join Academic and Technical Studies to Promote More Powerful Learning    (March 2008)
Too many students leave high school unprepared for employment and postsecondary studies. High-quality career/technical education, combined with a college-preparatory academic core, can help improve student achievement so more students graduate, and they graduate college- and career-ready. This report outlines challenges states face in combining technical and academic studies for improved learning, provides actions states can take to overcome these challenges, and highlights current best practices and policies. The challenges and actions in the report were derived from a forum that convened CTE leaders and other decision-makers from 12 states.
(08V07); 28 pages; 2008;   $5;    $2.50 each for 10 or more

Redesigning the Ninth-Grade Experience: Reduce Failure, Improve Achievement and Increase High School Graduation Rates    (March 2008)
The ninth grade is a crucial year that defines for many students whether they will continue toward high school graduation, further study and employment, or will become disengaged and drop out. This report outlines the key conditions of an effective ninth-grade experience, designed to engage more students in challenging high school academic and career/technical studies.
(08V06); 16 pages; 2008;   $2.50;    $2 each for 10 or more

2008 Legislative Report No. 1    (February 2008)
Governors’ proposals in Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
(08S01); 9 pages; 2008;   free

Getting Students Ready for College and Careers: Transitional Senior English    (January 2008)
This report describes and defines the reading and writing readiness standards that are needed to prepare students for postsecondary studies and careers. It provides samples of related school assessments to help teachers provide the support and class structure needed to get students to the readiness level expected by colleges. Also included are samples of learning activities to provide a structure for students to improve their literacy preparation.
(08V04); 64 pages; 2008;   $7.50;    $5 each for 10 or more

Lost in Transition: Building a Better Path from School to College and Careers    (January 2008)
This report is based on 15 state education forums held in 2005 and 2006. Sponsored by the League for Innovation in the Community College and the Southern Regional Education Board, and supported by the U.S. Department of Education, the forums focused on the goals of the College and Career Transitions Initiative. This report summarizes the findings from the education forums; identifies key policy issues; and details actions states can take to improve students’ transitions from high school to postsecondary studies and careers.
(08V01); 28 pages; 2008;   $7.50

District Action: Supporting Schools With Data, Technology and Strong Leadership to Raise Student Achievement    (December 2007)
This is part of a series of Best Practices for Implementing HSTW and MMGW.
(07V56w); 7 pages; 2007;   free

Guiding Students to Meet Challenging Academic and Career Goals: Involving School Mentors, Parents and Community Leaders    (December 2007)
This is part of a series of Best Practices for Implementing HSTW and MMGW.
(07V55w); 12 pages; 2007;   free

The 22nd Annual HSTW Staff Development Conference - Skills for Success in the 21st Century    (December 2007)
The theme of the 22nd annual summer conference, held July 9-12, 2008, in Nashville, Tennessee, is Skills for Success in the 21st Century.
(07V57); 36 pages; 2007;   free

SREB Learning-Centered Leadership Program: Developing and Assisting Effective, Learning-Centered Principals Who Can Improve Schools and Increase Student Achievement    (November 2007)
The SREB Learning-Centered Leadership Program is an effort to redesign educational leadership preparation and professional development programs. SREB recognizes the key role leadership plays in creating and sustaining schools that help all students achieve high standards. This brochure describes the initiative's goals, critical success factors, research and modules.
(07V54); 8 pages; 2007;   free

SREB Learning-Centered Leadership Program: Developing and Assisting Effective, Learning-Centered Principals Who Can Improve Schools and Increase Student Achievement    (November 2007)
The SREB Learning-Centered Leadership Program is an effort to redesign educational leadership preparation and professional development programs. The trifold brochure describes SREB’s critical success factors; outlines the basic principles of the leadership program; describes leadership publications objectives; and explains the leadership curriculum modules.
(07V51); 2 pages; 2007;   free

Raising Achievement and Graduation Rates by Supporting Teachers in Developing Quality Classroom Instruction    (November 2007)
This is part of a series of Best Practices for Implementing HSTW and MMGW.
(07V52w); 9 pages; 2007;   free

Supporting Ninth-Grade Students to Achieve in High School and Preparing Seniors for Postsecondary Education and a Career    (November 2007)
This is part of a series of Best Practices for Implementing HSTW and MMGW.
(07V53w); 10 pages; 2007;   free

Checklist for Evaluating SREB-SCORE Learning Objects    (October 2007)
This checklist is based on Evaluation Criteria for SREB-SCORE Learning Objects and is designed to help schools and colleges determine the quality and effectiveness of learning objects
(07T05); 8 pages; 2007;   $2

Evaluation Criteria for SREB-SCORE Learning Objects    (October 2007)
This document is designed to help participating state agencies review and confirm the quality of digital learning content.
(07T04); 9 pages; 2007;   $2

Five Academic Reasons: Why State Virtual Schools are Important to Your State    (October 2007)
There are many reasons that students in middle grades and high school need online access to courses, but there are at least five academic reasons why state virtual schools are important to achieving state educational and economic goals, too. In summary, these reasons include: courses that schools often cannot provide can become available; graduation rates can be improved through credit-recovery courses; AP courses can be available to students who otherwise would not have this access; quality teachers can be available to any student anywhere; and quality teachers and quality courses utilizing interactive technology improves chances for academic success of students. All these factors positively impact a state’s economic goals.
(07T07); 3 pages; 2007;   free

SREB-SCORE: Empowering Member States to Share Digital Course Content    (October 2007)
This brochure gives a general overview of the SREB-SCORE initiative and can be used for informational and marketing purposes by participating state agencies.
(07T03); 2007;   free

State Virtual Schools — Successes and Growing Pains    (October 2007)
This summary report is based on information gathered from each SREB state virtual school and reported in the SREB State Virtual Schools 2007 Report. This report provides an overview of the status of SREB states’ use of Web-based courses to meet student academic needs. It also provides comparative data on topics including enrollment, course types, online teachers and funding.
(07T06); 8 pages; 2007;   free

2007 Final Legislative Report    (October 2007)
Final legislative and budget actions in the 16 SREB states
(07S10); 26 pages; 2007;   free

2007 Legislative Briefing    (October 2007)
The 2007 Legislative Briefing is a topical summary of actions during the 2007 legislative sessions that affect education in the SREB states. Topics include budget and the economy, tax and revenue measures, school finance, tuition and fees, salaries and benefits for teachers and faculty, quality teachers, accountability and student performance, young students and at-risk students, middle grades and high schools, higher education, educational technology, and student health and fitness.
(07S09); 19 pages; 2007;   free

Advancing Students’ Academic and Technical Knowledge Through Technology and Effective School and Classroom Practices    (October 2007)
This is part of a series of Best Practices for Implementing HSTW and MMGW.
(07V50w); 10 pages; 2007;   free

Ready to Start: Ensuring High-Quality Prekindergarten in SREB States    (October 2007)
SREB states are national leaders in providing state-funded prekindergarten for 4-year-olds. This report, a part of the Challenge to Lead education goals series, reviews SREB states’ progress in improving prekindergarten access and calls for a greater focus on quality, funding, teacher training and other actions to help all children get ready for school, including those in poverty or from low-income or English-as-a-second-language families.
(07E09); 25 pages; 2007;   $5

Schools Need Good Leaders Now: State Progress in Creating a Learning-Centered School Leadership System    (October 2007)
This report calls for states to designate school leadership as a visible state, district and school priority, focused on the principal’s role in leading schools toward higher student performance. It describes the progress that states should make to ensure that they have the learning-centered school leaders they need to succeed in the 21st century.
(07V48); 36 pages; 2007;   $5

2007 Legislative Report No. 6    (September 2007)
Final actions in Delaware, Louisiana and North Carolina, plus updates from Florida and Virginia.
(07S08); 5 pages; 2007;   free

Creating a School Culture to Increase the Achievement of All Students in Reading, Writing, Mathematics and Science    (September 2007)
This is part of a series of Best Practices for Implementing HSTW and MMGW.
(07V49w); 13 pages; 2007;   free

Making Grading and Instructional Changes to Motivate Diverse Groups of Students to Learn    (September 2007)
This is part of a series of Best Practices for Implementing HSTW and MMGW.
(07V30w); 10 pages; 2007;   free

Project Lead The Way® Works: A New Type of Career and Technical Program    (September 2007)
This research brief shows how the Project Lead The Way® (PLTW) STEM-based curricula raise student achievement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics courses and help get students ready for college and careers. Analyzing data from the 2006 HSTW Assessment, it looks at how PLTW students are more likely to exceed the HSTW course recommendations and are more prepared to pursue postsecondary studies and advances in the workplace.
(07V29); 20 pages; 2007;   $2;    $1 each for 10 or more

Teaching Academic Content Embedded in Career/Technical Studies at Shared-time Centers and Comprehensive High Schools    (September 2007)
This is part of a series of Best Practices for Implementing HSTW and MMGW.
(07V31w); 10 pages; 2007;   free

Career/Technology Centers That Work: An Enhanced High Schools That Work Design For Technology Centers    (August 2007)
This brochure describes the Technology Centers That Work enhanced design for school improvement, including the HSTW framework of Goals and Key Practices, recommended core curriculum and key conditions. It outlines what participating technology centers agree to do to set up a literacy program, measure and report progress, and it discusses how to collaborate with HSTW to become a successful site for getting students ready for work and further education beyond the technology center.
(07V28); 14 pages; 2007;   free

Top 10 Ways to Improve Science Achievement: Actions for School Principals, Assistant Principals, Department Chairs and School Improvement Consultants    (August 2007)
High Schools That Work Assessment data show the need to improve science education in both the middle grades and high school. Science education increases students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This publication is designed to help principals, other school leaders and teachers identify rigorous instruction and successfully engage students in science.
(07V26w); 6 pages; 2007;   free

2007 Legislative Report No. 5    (July 2007)
Final actions in Alabama, South Carolina and Tennessee, plus updates from Florida, Maryland and Texas
(07S07); 5 pages; 2007;   free

SREB Fact Book on Higher Education 2007    (July 2007)
The 50th anniversary edition of this biennial publication provides summaries of trends and detailed data on six broad topics: population and economy; enrollment; degrees; student tuition and financial aid; faculty and administrators; and revenues and expenditures. This year's highlights include historic increases in college enrollment, details on population changes that could challenge SREB states' continued education progress, and the growing college affordability gap for lower- and middle-income students.
(07E01); 239 pages; 2007;   $15

Catalog of all available SREB publications
List of all available SREB publications on the Web

To order a copy of a publication, click on "Publications" on the home page; call (404) 875-9211, Ext. 236; or e-mail publications@sreb.org.