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IV. Description of Study's Theme Investigations <br />Themes and questions generated for the study are presented in the table that <br />follows. <br />Evaluation Questions: <br />1. <br />How <br />are districts preparing students for post- secondary education? <br />a. <br />technically oriented students — including non- and community college <br />students, military <br />b. <br />special needs students — including special education, ESL, low - <br />achieving /at -risk students <br />c. <br />academically able students <br />d. <br />academically very able students <br />2. <br />What are the characteristics of teachers and administrators in each district? <br />a. <br />Who is hired? Education? Experience? <br />b. <br />Retention? <br />c. <br />What role does compensation play in retention? <br />d. <br />Capacity for and access to additional funding sources — including <br />rants etc. <br />3. <br />What do districts believe they are doing well? <br />a. <br />Central administration /district <br />b. <br />School administration <br />c. <br />Teachers <br />d. <br />Parents <br />4. <br />What characterizes the instructional environments? <br />a. <br />Classroom environment: class size, team teaching <br />b. <br />Parent & volunteer processes: involvement, communication <br />c. <br />Connections to external resources <br />5. <br />How is the curriculum organized and delivered? <br />a. <br />Subject area curricula; presentation strategies <br />b. <br />Before school and after school programs <br />c. <br />Other programs <br />d. <br />Expertise & currency of practices <br />6. <br />What <br />is the organizational culture of each district? <br />a. <br />Perceptions of stakeholders: critical needs <br />b. <br />Visibility of procedures, issues of autonomy <br />7. <br />What <br />Is the nature of student support services? <br />a. <br />Social work services <br />b. <br />Psychological services <br />8. <br />How do the facilities support instruction? <br />a. <br />Computer support <br />b. <br />Physical plant <br />c. <br />Teacher space & resources <br />d. <br />Current/projected enrollment needs <br />