Use of demonstration plots showcasing native forbs and grasses in public greenspaces or along well-traveled paths can be helpful in increasing awareness of beneficial plant species. Signage can be used as an educational delivery method--such as that used in arboretums and museums--to bring awareness of the importance of biodiversity, pollinators,…

Critics complain that the educational leadership researchers have not produced evidence that demonstrates that principal preparation programs affect student achievement. This study addressed this complaint by focusing on the impact of one exemplary program on graduates and the schools they led. The preponderance-of-evidence strategy used in this…

Although random assignment is generally the preferred methodology in impact evaluations, it raises numerous ethical concerns, some of which are addressed by securing participants' informed consent. However, there has been little investigation of how consent is obtained in social experiments and the amount of information that can be conveyed--and…

This article explores the statistical methodologies used in demonstration and effectiveness studies when the treatments are applied across multiple settings. The importance of evaluating and how to evaluate these types of studies are discussed. As an alternative to standard methodology, the authors of this article offer an empirical binomial…

The author provides the theoretical context and setting of a study of how adult students characterize instructional excellence and how certain programmatic factors relate to the identification of excellent instructors. The study also examines the role of instructional award programs in continuing higher education. (CH)

This study draws on literature reviews, interviews, and case studies to examine the viability of replication strategies in education and employment training. Replication is a dynamic process for improving the quality of local services by developing credible knowledge about effective program models, and reproducing those models in a variety of…

The interim report of Project SKILL, a Wisconsin demonstration project which provides job placement of handicapped persons in State Civil Service positions, covers second year activities of the project. Second year developments included: definition of intake and screening as a staff speciality; utilizing of special personnel strategies to decrease…

A study of two rural independent living demonstration projects contrasts successful approaches: an independent living center and the integration of independent living philosophy and practices into an existing service network. Presents demographic information; community resources; and interview results from disabled persons, religious leaders, and…

As the variety of state education agency (SEA) responses to the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 demonstrates, different SEAs interpret the same federal educational policy differently. Nonetheless, little research has depicted how federal policies are changed by SEA-based policy intermediaries. Using an "ethnography of educational policy"…

Presents the results of a descriptive case study of model programs for the preparation of middle school science and/or mathematics teachers funded by the National Science Foundation. Programs were analyzed for coherency and coordination of the experience for students, and appropriate and consistent modeling by the instructors. (LZ)

This document is divided into three volumes. Volume I describes what exemplary Private Industry Councils (PICS) do, Volume II explains why they are effective, and Volume III tells how to implement exemplary practice. Volume I contains case studies of 10 exemplary PICs organized by 7 topics areas (history and structure, policies and program…

A study was conducted to explore the question of what works in secondary vocational education--whether exemplary vocational programs can be identified, whether their key features can be described, and whether there are lessons to be learned that can assist others in devising strategies to improve secondary vocational education. Methodology…

One of a series of documents on the evaluation of the National Home Start (NHS) program this third year interim report of case studies describes program efforts and successes with 16 Home Start families throughout the nation. A federally funded demonstration program, NHS is aimed at providing home-based services (such as health, education,…

To examine the forms that English instruction takes in programs identified as exemplary, a 2-year study was conducted of the working lives of four English/language arts teachers in two schools in Dade County, Florida. The four teachers and the two schools in which they work were identified as "exemplary" by national education leaders,…

Chronicles the efforts of one primary teacher as she begins a multiage classroom. Includes program guidelines. (ET)