Over the years, a number of interventions aimed at increasing student engagement and performance have been implemented in higher education. Some of these, labeled high-impact practices (HIPs), when done well, have led to documented evidence of student success. Two approaches that have been identified as HIPs--first-year seminars and learning…

In 2006, more than 6 million individuals were victimized by violent crimes. Although violence is below levels of the early 1990s, it remains high. The extent of violence and its impact highlight a critical need to develop and implement effective programs to reduce violence and victimization. Communities have initiated a wide range of such…

As of the writing of this report, the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are being implemented in 45 states and the District of Columbia. Approaches to implementing the standards, however, are highly varied. For the past 3 years, Research For Action (RFA) has been tracking how one approach to implementing the literacy standards--the Literacy…

Community coalitions (CCs) have labored with some difficulty to demonstrate empirical evidence of effectiveness in preventing a wide range of adolescent problem behaviors. Training and technical assistance (TA) have been identified as important elements in promoting improved functioning of CCs. A reliable, valid, and inexpensive method to assess…

Improving the quality of out-of-school time activities and creating effective learning environments is of keen interest to practitioners, funders and policymakers. Funded by The William Penn Foundation, "Quality Time After School" identifies characteristics of after-school activities that are linked to youth engagement and learning…

This document is Pennsylvania's master plan for environmental education (EE). It includes: (1) a list of planning principles and guidelines to enhance implementation of the master plan; (2) a flow chart illustrating feasibility, planning, action, and impact phases for the years 1983-85; (3) a summary of major recommendations; (4) a chart…

This program guide is designed to provide the educational community with the recommended plan for industrial arts (IA) in Pennsylvania. It outlines the program that is consistent with the mandates and recommendations of the 1984 Chapter 5-Curriculum Regulations of the State Board of Education and has been developed using current national IA…

This guide was developed during a demonstration project conducted in three diverse, multiethnic Western Pennsylvania communities to use older adult tutors as mentors to improve Head Start parents' literacy skills and ability to develop their children's literacy. The guide is intended to facilitate tutors' learning about family literacy and to give…

The Services for Transition to Independence through Education (STRIDE) project evaluated a model for providing comprehensive training and employment services to adults with mild handicaps, using existing vocational education classes and special needs support programs in a secondary vocational technical school in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Services…

A project was conducted to build an education and career enhancement system for Pennsylvania's adult population over age 24 that includes all three basic components of a school-to-work program: work-based learning, school-based learning, and connecting activities. The program was opened to unemployed and underemployed adults in two rural…

Partnerships between higher education and public schools in rural areas can lead to improved education in both sectors. When launching a partnership, all concerned must convince a wide sector of the community that such programs are cost effective and will lead to more successful educational programming. By providing such a rationale early, the…

Describes the art career guidance programs at Johnstown High School (Pennsylvania). Programs include high school art students' visits to elementary and junior high schools, an "Artist at Work" exhibit at a shopping mall, and an art career guide for high school students. The programs have increased interest in art careers from grade…

This handbook is an introduction to the topics that adult basic and literacy education (ABLE) program administrators need to know. The 77 articles by various authors are divided into 6 sections. "A Background for the ABLE Program Administrator" covers the definition of a program administrator, a guiding philosophy, a brief history of…

This document is a comprehensive directory of Federal offices, programs, and facilities for K-12 education in mathematics and science for the Mid-Atlantic Region. The purpose of this directory is to assist educators, parents, and students in attaining the National Education Goals, particularly Goal 4: "By the year 2000, U.S. students will be…

The main objectives of this project were to conduct a writing contest for adult basic education/high school equivalency/English as a Second Language (ABE/GED/ESL) and basic literacy students and to publish an anthology of selected prose (fiction and non-fiction) and poetry entries by those students. Secondary objectives were to promote a greater…