A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

The National Diffusion Network (NDN) is a dynamic organization designed to improve educational opportunities and achievement for all by promoting the transfer of successful programs from their development sites to other educational institutions. It is based upon the belief that effective programs and practices should be disseminated widely so that they can benefit schools across the country. By identifying effective programs, the NDN provides education agencies with an array of NDN offerings from which to select those that best meet their needs, philosophies, and resources. The NDN also helps them to acquire the materials and assistance needed to install NDN programs.

NDN programs are suited to improve curriculum and instruction, to meet the needs of special student populations, and to foster systemic reforms. The programs address all of the National Goals for Education. The relationship between each program and the National Goals for Education (which are printed on pages 5-7) is identified at the beginning of each section of this catalogue in a grid summarizing program services.

Since its inception in 1974, the NDN has grown from 76 to more than 200 programs that were developed, in large part, by classroom teachers. NDN programs have helped learners with many different needs--preschoolers with disabilities, low-income, inner-city children in primary grades, high-achieving high school students, and out-of-school adults. NDN programs span many fields, ranging from core content areas such as reading, mathematics, and science to health, vocational, and career education. Other programs focus on cognitive skills, classroom management, and school-wide reform. Adopters of NDN programs range from small classrooms in remote rural areas to large metropolitan districts.

The impact of the NDN on American education has been tremendous. The most recent statistics available indicate that in the 1992-93 school year alone, more than 35,500 public and private schools in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Palau, and the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands adopted NDN programs. As a result, over 141,000 persons received inservice training, and an estimated 6.3 million students benefited.

Entry into the NDN occurs only after a program has been approved by the Department of Education's Program Effectiveness Panel (PEP) (formerly the joint Dissemination Review Panel, or JDRP). Program developers must submit to the Panel evidence of effectiveness in meeting program objectives and evidence that the program will meet the educational needs of others in similar settings. Positive endorsement of a program's claims of effectiveness by a majority of Panel members constitutes approval, and a validation date is assigned.

Once approved by the PEP, programs are eligible to compete for funds under the program category Developer Demonstrators. Developer Demonstrators are exemplary programs that provide training, materials, and technical assistance to those who adopt their programs. In addition, the NDN funds Facilitators (one in every State, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the Trust Territories, as well as a Private School Facilitator) who link NDN exemplary programs with educators who are seeking new programs and practices. Facilitators help to identify suitable NDN programs and assist with training and installation.

For further information about the Program Effectiveness Panel (PEP)., contact the National Diffusion Network, 555 New Jersey Avenue, Washington, D.C. 20208-5645. (202) 219-2134.
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[National Dissemination Association]

[National Goals for Education]