Foreword

This booklet is the fifth in a series of "hot topic" reports produced by the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory. These reports briefly address current educational concerns and issues as indicated by requests for information that come to the Laboratory from the Northwest region and beyond. Each booklet contains an explanation of the topic's importance, a sampling of how Northwest schools are addressing the issue, suggestions for adapting these ideas to schools, selected references, and contact information.

One objective of the series is to foster a sense of community and connection among educators. Another objective is to increase awareness of current education-related themes and concerns. Each booklet will give practitioners a glimpse of how fellow educators are addressing issues, overcoming obstacles, and attaining success in certain areas. The series' goal is to give educators current, reliable, and useful information on topics that are important to them.

Other titles in the series include:

• Service Learning in the Northwest Region
• Tutoring: Strategies for Successful Learning
• Scheduling Alternatives: Options for Student Success
• Alternative Schools: Approaches for Students at Risk
• All Students Learning: Making It Happen At Your School