State of the Art Seminars provide information on recent advances in the research and practical knowledge base. Participants are provided with synthesis reviews on a wide variety of topics, focusing on what is known to work in achieving student success. The one-day seminars typically begin with an overview of the knowledge base and a discussion of implications for improving current practices. Group discussions are led by practitioners experienced in carrying out innovative school-based improvement efforts that have proven to be effective and sustainable in their respective schools.

What Works Workshops provide participants with hands-on experience in designing and implementing innovative programs and practices that are demonstrably effective. Workshops emphasize:

• Resources and professional development requirements for effective implementation
  
• Administrative, organizational, or instructional barriers encountered during the inception stage of establishing innovative programs and practices and subsequent maintenance
  
• Resolutions for overcoming barriers to school improvement
  
• Evaluation of program effects
  
• Mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating the day-to-day operations of the program
  Advanced Study Institutes

Advanced Study Institutes are designed to develop expertise in the strategic planning and development of detailed implementation in forging building-based improvement efforts. The Institutes focus on:

• Identification of school-, district-, and agency-specific needs and improvement priorities
  
• Identification of program development needs
  
• Identification of resources and expertise required for implementation
  
• Development of specific plans for resource utilization and redeployment, and delivery mechanisms for program implementation
  
• Development and operation of a staff development plan and an evaluation plan for monitoring program implementation and effectiveness

On-site Professional Development and Technical Assistance in the implementation of specific educational reform plans and evaluation is provided following the development of a feasible plan for implementation either as a result of participation in an Advanced Study Institute or through other strategic planning processes. Key emphasis is placed on the integrated use of technology as a tool for improving instruction and learning, and establishing cyber-networking capacity for communication and dialogue among reform-oriented professionals