This article describes two decades of workplace basic skills efforts in the United States (mid 1980s to early 2000s). Private- and public-sector groups defined the problem of inadequate basic skills in the incumbent workforce. They raised awareness of this problem as it affected various segments of the workforce and diverse industries. They…

This fall, the nine states that finished as runners up in last year's groundbreaking Race to the Top competition will have an opportunity to reapply for a grant. The winners will receive a combined $200 million to help implement the bold education reform plans they developed last year. Many of the eligible states already have clear roadmaps toward…

Although Early Head Start (EHS) is a federal-to-local program, there are opportunities for collaboration at the state level that have expanded in recent years. State leaders can seize opportunities to break down silos and create collaborative state systems and programs to better meet the needs of vulnerable young children in their states. This…

The National Research Center on Career and Technical Education has supported four studies on one of the major components of Perkins legislation: programs of study. In this article, we present qualitative data linking the research center's longitudinal projects based on programs of study, via a one-time cross-case study of sites deemed highly…

This paper highlights several current collaborative activities of the National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC). There are many specific examples of TA (Technical Assistance) collaborations that take place on a regular basis; the seven examples presented here were selected to represent different types of collaboration. The…

The "Local Technology Plan Guidelines" serve as the basis for the Department's annual technology data collection. This report takes a look at the data submitted by 344 school districts, examining the progress Massachusetts school districts are making in meeting the recommended guidelines. In doing so, it will gauge the degree to which…

Information about the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), an independent federal agency created in 1965 to support scholarship, research, education, and public programs in the humanities, is provided in this booklet. The first part of the booklet provides information on the history, purposes, policies, and organization of NEH, and serves…

This paper urges teachers and librarians to join hands and make their voices heard prior to the convening of the White House Conference on Library and Information Services (WHCLIS) in July 1991. Issues librarians should consider include how libraries can more effectively support formal literacy education; assist greater numbers of learners and…

At a time of tremendous expansion of early childhood services, funds to train the needed work force are almost unavailable outside of the Head Start community. This problem is compounded by the limited amount of attention that the topic of early childhood teacher preparation and professional development has received from researchers and…

Based on the finding that the most important determinant of child care quality is the presence of consistent, well-trained, and well-compensated caregivers, this report discusses strategies to improve compensation in child care. It analyzes structural and social barriers to investing in decent-paying child care jobs; profiles a wide range of…

Programs related to individuals with deafness are listed: federal programs, state vocational rehabilitation offices, regional and local programs, national professional organizations, the National Association of the Deaf, the Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf, and the Convention of American Instructors of…

The results of the mathematics training needs assessment for grades K through 12 teachers in the Great Falls Public School of Montana are contained in this report. This was conducted as one part of a statewide mathematics and science needs assessment. Teacher demographics, experience levels, and educational background are reported. Mathematics…

This report from the United States House of Representatives presents the complete amended version of the House bill to extend for 5 years the authorizations of appropriations for the programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The current reauthorization bill is known as the "Improving America's Schools Act." The first…

In compliance with mandates of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the Arizona Department of Education has completed its evaluation of effectiveness for state and locally administered programs in the context of Arizona's existing Chapter 2 goals. The evaluation focused first on state-administered programs and then considered locally…

This report examines the current status of federal and state involvement in educational personnel development. First, it describes the federal legislative process, and offers a list of members of Congressional committees dealing with education legislation. Next, it analyzes involvement of the U.S. Office of Education and of individual states in…