A Report To The Us Department Of Education On Educational Challenges And Technical Assistance Needs For The Pacific Region

This report of the Pacific Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) provides an assessment of the technical assistance needs of educators in the Pacific region in response to a directive from the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education (ED). This information will be used to assist in the establishment of 20 comprehensive centers providing technical assistance to regional, state, and local educational agencies and schools in implementing the goals and programs of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act and in the use of scientifically valid teaching methods and assessment tools for use by teachers and administrators.The Pacific RAC region is composed of seven island groups: the state of Hawaii, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia (Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap), the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau, the Territory of American Samoa, and the Territory of Guam. Pacific RAC members identified five major challenges and a number of related technical assistance recommendations that would assist the Pacific Region in meeting the goals of NCLB. The RAC then identified the top priorities for federal technical assistance in the region. Members also noted that because the Pacific region comprises many islands with a range of physical facilities and technical infrastructures, it is difficult to provide communication systems and access to resources, and to integrate technology with instruction in order to support student achievement. Appended are: (1) Map of the Pacific Region; (2) Pacific Region at a glance; (3) Pacific education at a glance; (4) Public comments and feedback received by the Pacific RAC; (5) References; and (6) Biographical information about Pacific RAC members. A glossary is also included. [Report prepared by the Pacific Regional Advisory Committee.].