This report focuses on the seven original Youth Transition Demonstration (YTD) projects selected for funding in 2003. Three of the original seven projects were selected for a national random assignment evaluation in 2005; however, this report only focuses on program operations prior to joining the random assignment evaluation for the three…

The Marshalltown (Iowa) High School offers a model program for mildly retarded students involving simulated work situations, individualized instruction, integration with regular classes, and involvement in a work/study program. (CL)

The Iowa Career Exploration Institute was designed to plan for implementation of career education at the junior high or middle school level. Fourteen planning teams were selected from different size schools and geographical areas of Iowa. The teams consisted of administrators, counselors, and classroom teachers. The first three days of meetings…

This report describes a demonstration project in which service contracts were used as part of the caseworker approach to increase the effectiveness of foster care for children. The service contracts involved formal or informal agreements defining expectations for performance on the part of the children in foster care, the foster parents, and the…

The booklet describes four model autism sites that were funded in Iowa from 1980 to 1983. Each project's structure, goals and accomplishments, and future tasks are noted. The first project included an interdisciplinary autism resource team and a center-based, self-contained demonstration classroom. The second was a rural delivery model providing…

Project IDEA (Innovation Dissemination for the Education of Adults), a 2-year experimental program in the utilization of innovation, was designed to demonstrate the feasibility of a comprehensive strategy for disseminating and facilitating the utilization of selected program innovations in adult education. Implementation of this strategy involved…

The report presents information on current practices and issues in training direct care staff working in facilities serving developmentally disabled persons in Iowa and seven other states. The first section provides background information including purposes of the report and methods used to collect information. Section II is organized by four…

This final report contains materials and forms developed for the Iowa Career Education Articulation Model (K-14). Project goals were to design and pilot a career education inventory system to determine the impact of career education upon the students, to design a monitoring process system to assess the status of career education activities, to…

The Individualized Resource Program/Community-Based Vocational Training Program of the Iowa Valley Community College District provides assessment, vocational and functional academics training, and job placement services for adults with developmental disabilities and moderate mental retardation. Participants complete a non-credit community college…

An exemplary project was initiated in March of 1977 as a jointly operated project with Arrowhead Area Education Agency 5 and Iowa Central Community College. The purpose of the effort was to analyze the potential and demonstrate the components of the Experience-Based Career Education--Appalachia Education Laboratory (EBCE-AEL) model for mildly…

A professional development model implemented in rural Iowa schools involves participation of school teams in school improvement, technical assistance based on needs assessment, focus on teaching and learning strategies that promote meaningful connections, extended planning time, recognition that change requires long-term support, networking of…

Provides insight into system-level changes needed to support inclusive preschool activities. Recognizes successful outcomes of inclusive programs as highly dependent on attitudes of parents and teachers. Describes a six-step process in developing successful inclusive programs in a rural Iowa community. Stresses the need for everyone affected to…

This executive summary of a final report describes activities and accomplishments of Iowa's 3-year program to improve the quality of educational and community-based services for infants, toddlers, children, and youth with deaf-blindness. The project provided technical assistance to schools, area education agencies, and other service providers. It…

Describes efforts in the reform of science education, noting the importance of changing preservice and in-service teacher education. The article examines three national systemic reform efforts and discusses implementation efforts in Iowa. It also discusses Iowa's teacher preparation and offers assessment information arising from Iowa's efforts.…

Fifty-eight Iowa high school seniors participated in an experience based career education (EBCE) project conducted at Storm Lake, Sac City, and Pocahontas during 1976-77. The program followed the EBCE model developed by the Appalachia Educational Laboratory. Technical assistance and training for the project was furnished by that laboratory. A…