Gathering Momentum: Building the Learning Connection between Schools and Colleges. Proceedings of the Learning Connection Conference (Kansas City, Missouri, June 27-28, 2001). Perspectives in Public Policy: Connecting Higher Education and the Public Schools.

Overview & Synopsis

Many states have already begun the task of creating a more "seamless" education system that stretches from kindergarten through the undergraduate years (K-16). Support for this integration of the education system is growing, although the obstacles are recognized as formidable. A conference was held to discuss ways of bring such a seamless system into being. Conference participants deliberated about five key issues previously identified as relevant to the pursuit of the seamless system, and each of the five roundtables was stimulated by background papers prepared for the conference. The five papers, presented in an appendix, are: (1) "Equity: Why Is K-16 Collaboration Essential to Educational Equity?" (Kati Haycock); (2) "Governance: Governance and the Connection between Community, Higher Education, and Schools" (Ira Harkavy); (3) "Standards: Bridging the Great Divide between Secondary Schools and Postsecondary Education" (Michael Kirst and Andrea Venezia); (4) "Teachers: Improving Teacher Preparation: Research, Practice and Policy Implications" (Arturo Pacheco); and (5) "Community: Inter-Level Educational Collaboration for Civic Capacity Building: The Role of Local Education Funds" (Wendy D. Puriefoy). (SLD)