The American Institutes for Research has updated its ratings on the effectiveness of popular improvement programs for elementary schools.
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Published for the first time last year by the AIR鈥檚 Comprehensive School Reform Quality Center, the consumer guide rates 22 schoolwide-improvement models on the strength of their research track records and other program characteristics. No models received 鈥渧ery strong鈥 ratings for proven effectiveness this year or last. But two models鈥攖he National Writing Project, based in Berkeley, Calif., and the Literacy Collaborative for Learning, in Columbus, Ohio鈥攔aised their research ratings from 鈥渓imited鈥 in 2005 to 鈥渕oderate鈥 this year. 鈥淢oderately strong鈥 ratings went to two other models, Direct Instruction, of Eugene, Ore., and the Baltimore-based Success for All program.