Designed to help educators and policymakers consider the effective use of currently-evolving distance learning technologies, this policy brief examines: (1) the need for distance learning; (2) the most promising combinations of technologies (two-way television, one-way television with audio return, and audiographics); (3) the cost-effectiveness of…

The basic premise of this handbook is that effective bilingual programs can occur only within a school context that is itself effective. A foreword argues that: (1) bilingual education programs must be better integrated into the mainstream of local school district programs, and (2) limited-English proficient (LEP) students should be assigned to…

This document reports the results of the National Study of Local Operations under Chapter 2 of the Educational Consolidation and Improvement Act of 1981. The 2-year study sought to (1) describe local district activities and operations under Chapter 2, the first federal education block grant, in the program's third year, noting changes occurring…

This publication builds a conceptual framework that categorizes alternative policy instruments for educational reform into actions. It defines four categories of policy instruments and hypothesizes how each will operate in addressing different policy problems in different political and organizational contexts. Subsequent research will assess…

This guide, based on approaches for targeting jobs and business opportunities that were developed during the Targeted Jobs Demonstration Program (TJDP), contains strategies and techniques for ensuring that some of the benefits of economic development investments are directed to low-income individuals and small and minority businesses. Addressed in…

The Washington Award for Vocational Excellence (WAVE) was established by the Washington State Legislature in March 1984 to be administered by the Commission for Vocational Education. The award is to be given to a graduating vocational high school student and is to be based on such criteria as character, attitude, attendance, leadership, civic…

This report discusses the development and implementation of programs in Asia and the Pacific which focus on "Science for All." The major objective of "Science for All" is to provide everyone in these areas with the scientific competencies, knowledge, and skills appropriate to their immediate needs to help eradicate poverty,…

This document tracks the 1983 implementation in 11 New York City schools of the Program to Raise Educational Performance (PREP), designed for ninth graders who do not meet high school entrance requirements. Under the program, students may enter high school, take credit courses, and also receive special support and theme-related remedial reading…

Any attempts to improve excellence and equity in our schools must be predicated on the self-confident assumption that our schools can make a critical difference in the lives of children and young adults. Four propositions are offered as to what we know about school improvement: (1) public schools, individual classrooms, and school systems can and…

This study analyzes the attempts of the state of California to select and promote new educational practices under the auspices of ESEA Title IVC. First, the strategies adopted in California for selecting and promoting new programs are outlined in order to raise the question of the effectiveness of these procedures. Next, the research design is…

"Managing Reading By Objectives" (MRBO), the Beaverton (Oregon) School District's reading instruction system--based on learning objectives shared among parents, students, teachers, and administrators--is described through summaries, articles, diagrams, and policy statements. This compilation includes (1) an information sheet; (2) a flow…

The Seattle Public Schools' effort to define and establish effective schools is described in this paper, a transcript of four coordinated presentations. Ellen Roe, the first presenter, recounts the design of the project. Planning, she states, was begun in late 1981 by a decision seminar (comprised of teachers, administrators, a community…

A merit pay plan can be successful if it contains unified and agreed upon objectives, integration and expansion of present key tasks, and endorsement and involvement of the entire educational staff. The responsibility of developing appropriate goals rests with the board of education, while the responsibility of documenting voluntary participation…

A large and growing body of research supports the critical relationship between early childhood experiences and successful life-long outcomes. Assessing the readiness of children as they enter school is a high priority. This report describes findings from Year Two of the assessment of school readiness with a larger random sample of children…

The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) focuses on integrating and streamlining services, requiring that most employment and training services, including those provided under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant, be provided through the One-Stop Center System. States are implementing WIA, but not all will have all steps…