This report on competency testing utilizes a literature review, examines the state of the art to define competencies, and presents information from the field to delineate programmatic and administrative questions and their implications. Information was collected from school districts implementing minimum competency testing (MCT) programs through…

Presents an evaluation study of competency-based vocational education in Pennsylvania. Data were gathered via interviews with state education officials and representatives of educational agencies and via surveys completed by teachers. Results showed the highest levels of implementation occurring in vocational schools, especially in areas related…

Synthetic estimation, key informant interviews, a telephone survey of agency directors, program budget analysis, construction of a statistical index for estimating optimum allocation of resources, and a review of legislation were among the techniques used to develop a statewide comprehensive substance abuse prevention program for Rhode Island.…

In 1987 the Scottish Office Education Department published plans for a curriculum development program for ages 5 through 14. This article reports on an evaluation of the implementation of the curriculum planned for 1991-95. National samples and interviews with about 165 educators trace the early steps in implementation. (SLD)

This is the final part of the adaptation from my on-stage conversation with Russell Williams at the 1998 International Mobility conference in Atlanta, GA, which attempted to highlight Williams's contributions to the progression of orientation and mobility from the Army's immediate response to the service men and women who lost their sight during…

The authors analyzed data from the School Health Policies and Programs Study 2000 to assess the associations between the presence of a district physical education coordinator and district-level physical education policies and practices recommended by federal government agencies and national organizations. The authors also examined the relationship…

This article discusses the challenges faced when a popular model program, the Strengthening Families Program, which in the past has been implemented on a smaller scale in single organizations, moves to a larger, multiorganization endeavor. On the basis of 42 interviews conducted with program staff, the results highlight two main themes that…

Federal educational technology grant coordinators from seven small liberal arts colleges were interviewed to determine the ways in which technology had been infused in teacher education programs over the life of the grant. Substantive integration of technology had occurred in each of the schools. Traditional change models were unable to explain…

In 2010-11, the Literacy Design Collaborative (LDC) framework was piloted in six districts, a teacher network, and a network of schools. In most cases, school districts applied for and received grants to implement LDC; in others, regional intermediaries served as the grantee and as primary organizer of the work; and, in still others, national…

With teacher shortages in both general and critical needs areas and constricting operating budgets, it is important for Colleges of Education to develop methods of providing alternative certification programs to reach larger segments of the population. One method of increasing the scope of potential preservice teachers is through the development…

The District Primary Education Programme launched by the Government of India put in place unique management structures and processes. The programme coverage was limited to the primary level of education only, that is, grades 1-4 in some states and grades 1-5 in other states. As this programme period was drawing to a close, the Government was…

Administrative support is essential for reform efforts to take place at the building and district level. This study explored barriers teachers encountered while implementing science education reform and the impact those barriers had on change in instructional practices and reform. Findings in this study reveal that support from administration is…

The South Australian Education Department introduced the School Entry Assessment (SEA) Policy in 2001 to help teachers assess young learners and plan relevant learning events, to help collect information about South Australian education from Pre-School to Year 3, and to facilitate collaboration within and between educational and social…

To be effective in providing a writing literacy program, regardless of communication approaches, educators should establish program-wide conditions that promote English writing literacy over time. The researcher's purpose for this study was to identify shared characteristics of writing intervention programs in three different communication school…

The purposes of this study were to (a) identify how leadership in a successful rural school districts has helped raise student achievement levels beyond those of comparable school districts as measured by state and federal mandated test scores, (b) investigate the district leadership that aligns with identified effective practices, and (c)…