In the context of a department of applied mathematics, a program assessment was conducted to assess the departmental goal of enabling undergraduate students to recognize, appreciate, and apply the power of computational tools in solving mathematical problems that cannot be solved by hand, or would require extensive and tedious hand computation. A…

Destination Imagination is a creative problem solving competition for school-aged children that encourages creative growth and long-term problem solving skills. These skills are important for young children as they can be directly related to future success in school, home, and the workplace. This extracurricular activity has impacted 1.5 million…

In experimental studies, researchers are often interested in secondary research questions that explore important aspects of main findings, such as whether or not program effects vary according to the level of fidelity in which the program has been implemented; or according to the dosage received by individuals participated in the program. In this…

Gambling has become increasingly popular among minors and is easily accessible to them. This is alarming since research has indicated that minors are more susceptible to gambling pathology than adults. Additionally, gambling has devastating effects on minors that gamble as well as their families and communities. The Illinois Institute for…

The study reported in this paper examined the effects of "First Step to Success (First Step)," a school- and home-based program intended to improve outcomes for students with moderate to severe behavior problems who may be at risk for academic failure. The study took place in six locations across five states: San Jose, California; Tampa,…

Interventions that aim to promote social competence, reduce problem behavior, and improve school climate are common at all levels of schooling. This whole-school focus, coupled with researchers' concerns about contamination or spillover effects in evaluations that randomly assign classrooms or students to conditions, as well as advances in…

The purpose of this study was to use journal feedback from student teachers to understand and document how well the Physical Education-Teacher Education (PETE) program prepares teacher candidates in relation to the three primary goals of the PETE program. Analysis of the journals revealed areas of merit and concern for the PETE faculty. The most…

The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) documents dimensions of quality in undergraduate education and provides information and assistance to colleges, universities, and other organizations to improve student learning. Its primary activity is annually surveying college students to assess the extent to which they engage in educational…

Some of the conceptual, methodological, and logistical impediments to sound evaluations of jail-based drug-treatment programs are described. The focus is on a program in a large urban jurisdiction that illustrates difficulty in tracking clients and coordinating agency responses. Some suggestions are offered to help future researchers. (SLD)

A study examining the evaluation components of merit pay programs in Illinois suggests that such components significantly influence a program's success or failure. Merit pay programs should incorporate evaluation systems tht emphasize their formal purpose, target variables related to effective teaching, and utilize sound data collection…

Faculty members in various Illinois universities work cooperatively in implementing and refining a program of teacher identification of problems of pupils which limit and handicap their progress in school. The Student Needs Assessment Program (SNAP) requires a high level of professional commitment from both teachers and the principal. Teachers use…

A QUESTIONNAIRE SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED BY THE NORTHERN ILLINOIS ADULT EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO DETERMINE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF, AND PARTICIPATION IN, ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN NORTHERN ILLINOIS IN 1963-64. THE QUESTIONNAIRE WAS DESIGNED TO COLLECT INFORMATION IN SEVERAL AREAS, SUCH AS PROGRAMS -- CREATION, DEVELOPMENT, SCOPE, PURPOSES, CHANGES,…

An evaluation of how successful services rendered the classroom teacher in the form of in-service training for those recommending children to the Diagnostic Learning Center were. (Author)

This report concerns the review by the General Accounting Office of the operation of the fiscal year 1970 programs, funded under Title I of the 1965 Elementary Secondary Education Act and certain aspects of the 1971 programs of the Illinois State educational agency, and of the Chicago, Harrisburg, and Rockford local educational agencies. The local…

A THREE DAY CONFERENCE TRAINED NEW NONPROFESSIONAL STAFF OF THE SHAWNEE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, AN ANTIPOVERTY AGENCY IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS. TRAINING GOALS WERE TO DEVELOP (1) GREATER AWARENESS OF SELF AND EFFECT ON OTHERS, (2) TEAMWORK SKILLS IN WORKING IN GROUPS, (3) AWARENESS OF SKILLS IN THE HELPING PROCESS, AND (4) PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS.…