"Why Rural Matters" is the fourth in a series of biennial reports analyzing the importance of rural education in each of the 50 states and calling attention to the urgency with which policymakers in each state should address rural education issues. The researchers framed this report around five gauges measuring: (1) the importance of…

The third year assessment (1975-1976) of the Massachusetts Right to Read Effort consisted of evaluations from participants in regional training workshops and from local school systems. Generally favorable reaction to the program was noted, although the local school systems noted some weak areas. As a result of these and other evaluations, fifteen…

This document contains five symposium papers on the California Evaluation Improvement Program (EIP). Since 1974, a network of eight regional centers have annually assisted approximately 6,000 educators with educational program evaluation. Established to train middle management personnel to evaluate their own programs, the EIP centers now also…

The Pennsylvania School Improvement Program (PSIP) was created to assist local schools and school districts in the development of curriculum improvement strategies. The process involves the use of "linkers," curriculum specialists who work with teams from the local level to ascertain needs, then connect the local teams with the research…

This report presents the State of South Carolina's vision and plan for coordinating special programs in mathematics and science education. The report is divided into two sections. The first section identifies four critical needs and lists systemic responses to those needs. The second section presents the criteria recommended for the State Plan for…

The Pennsylvania School Improvement Program (PSIP) was created to assist local schools and school districts in the development of curriculum improvement strategies. The process involves the use of "linkers," curriculum specialists who work with teams from the local level to ascertain needs, then connect the local teams with the research…

A report is presented of the Working Conference for Directors of State Studies of Adult Education, held in Clearwater, Florida from January 26-28, 1976. The conference provided a forum for issues emerging from State studies, study designs used, strategies for implementing recommendations, and future projections and was attended by over 40 people…

The merits of a state testing program that would measure the basic skills of college students and provide a basis for improvement was studied in Texas in 1985 by the Committee on Testing. Basic skills among colleges students and the use of postsecondary testing and remediation programs were studied in several states. The review included various…

Developed for use in New York State elementary school social studies program evaluations, this guide outlines procedures and suggests the design of forms for identifying key questions, gathering and analyzing relevant data, and developing plans for program improvements. It is intended to assess strengths and weaknesses within current programs as a…

State Departments of Education are turning to the use of criterion referenced, as opposed to norm referenced, models for statewide assessment. The underlying assumption in this turn of events is that results generated by criterion referenced tests within the statewide assessment context permit the drawing of value inferences about the…

A study authorized by the General Assembly of Virginia during the 1983 session examined the specific education and training strategies that the state should pursue to meet the demands of technological advancements. Information was gathered concerning instructional computing, computer science programs, the needs of local school divisions,…

Descriptions of 27 state early childhood education programs are presented in this survey conducted to provide information on which to base program development decisions related to early childhood education in West Virginia. The study surveyed the following areas in each state: definition of early childhood education; administrating agency; laws,…

The Pennsylvania School Improvement Program (PSIP) was created to assist local schools and school districts in the development of curriculum improvement strategies. The process involves the use of "linkers," curriculum specialists who work with teams from the local level to ascertain needs, then connect the local teams with the research…

The Pennsylvania School Improvement Program (PSIP) was created to assist local schools and school districts in the development of curriculum improvement strategies. The process involves the use of "linkers," curriculum specialists who work with teams from the local level to ascertain needs, then connect the local teams with the research…

Discusses the evolution of state-level assessment activities of college graduates' skills/outcomes to provide a context for a proposed national system and examines extent and types of testing in six states. Addresses the purposes of postsecondary assessment and draws conclusions as to institutional support needed to sustain a collaborative system.…