In January 2007, the Oregon State Board of Education mandated a new Oregon diploma that strengthened high school graduation requirements with the aim of improving student readiness for college and career. Among the major changes was a requirement that students demonstrate proficiency in nine "essential skills" that included the…

The preparation of culturally and linguistically responsive special educators requires planning, substantive collaboration, and valuing the perspectives of underrepresented groups. This article describes restructuring efforts of one special education preparation program that included coursework and field-based experiences designed to enhance…

The social nature of language learning and development has been widely acknowledged, as has the importance of family relationships in language learning processes. The role that the first language plays in the literacy development of English language learners (ELLs) and their families is irrefutable. Advocates of family literacy programs have…

This document contains a matrix offering a side-by-side comparison of almost 40 criteria among 7 sets of early childhood program standards. The standards are: (1) Head Start Program Performance Standards; (2) Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Child Care Licensing Standards; (3) Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Center…

This report describes several examples of successful academic linkages between state training offices and postsecondary institutions that result in enhanced professional development opportunities for drug abuse workers. The role of federal and state governments in drug abuse training is discussed along with several articles that are designed to…

This handbook presents the plan for the Alabama computerized certification program for school food service employees. The first section contains the following information and materials pertaining to the child nutrition certification program: rationale; position titles (Child Nutrition Program Director or Supervisor, Child Nutrition Program…

This practicum report describes a project to improve safety and health conditions for state-licensed family child care homes. Since the family child care providers in the study area do not have to meet more than minimum state health and safety requirements, providers have limited knowledge of and need to improve health and safety standards in…

This review of current federal and state legislation provides information on characteristics of bilingual education programs, mandated by law, that are of importance to evaluators. The legislative summaries are presented in two sections: across-states summary of legislative provisions and state-by-state summary of legislative provisions.…