This report presents the results of a national forum on the compensation of child care workers which sought to develop strategies to break the link between what parents pay for child care and what child care providers earn. A total of 56 policymakers, researchers, economists, and child care advocates met for 2 days to review current child care…

This publication is comprised of the biographies of eight individuals designated in the past and nine individuals currently designated as outstanding, successful students from Pennsylvania's adult basic and literacy education (ABLE) programs. Each biography is accompanied by a description of the sponsor program. The past outstanding students are…

While current early education and care funding still reaches only a fraction of preschool children, some states now have considerable experience in coordinating subsidized child care, Head Start, and state prekindergarten initiatives to enhance early education and learning opportunities for young children. Drawing on the experiences of Georgia,…

This document provides an overview of the history and current uses of student testing in California and a brief summary of some of the issues on the debate over assessment. In recent years, student testing has increasingly become a high-stakes enterprise in California. Today, policymakers are looking anew at various forms of testing to measure how…

Currently available information makes a compelling case for investing in efforts to help families overcome child care, early education, and school-age care challenges and obtain the quality early learning and after-school experiences needed for children to succeed. This book presents a series of fact sheets concerning child care, early education,…

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant has great potential for funding out-of-school time and community school initiatives. While the flexibility that states have in allocating TANF funds presents significant opportunity for innovation, it also presents a dizzying array of policy options. This strategy brief presents…

Describes a statewide dissemination system adopted by the California Nutrition Education and Training Program to expand shrinking dollars for nutrition education. This system involves funding of local nutrition education projects which have been selected as "exemplary" and which then serve as models for new programs within the state. (CS)

Allied health professionals are those (exclusive of physicians, dentists, pharmacists, and nurses) who provide health care in support of or supplementing other health professionals. The Regional Technical Institute enables students from 26 colleges and junior colleges in Alabama and Tennessee to train in 14 allied health professions. (BR)

After a brief overview of vocational education, vocational guidance, and career education the authors examine the state department of education framework as a unit for coordinating career education and sex equity efforts in vocational education and counseling. Connecticut's strategy is described as an example. (MF)

Describes South Carolina's program of Special Schools which offer crash training through the state's two-year technical colleges to help new and expanding industries begin their operations through preemployment training programs. Highlights diversity in training, quick response to industry needs, and individually styled training. (DMM)

Describes the Parent and Child Education (PACE) program, a statewide family literacy program in Kentucky that promotes positive attitudes toward schooling and academic achievement. PACE focuses on parents' basic skills, children's learning skills, and parents' child care skills. (FMW)

A Massachusetts plan involving 67 colleges allows parents to invest in state bonds and redeem them later, at original value plus 2% above inflation rate, for a guaranteed percentage of tuition. Plan improves on strategies tested by other states. Supporters foresee more college applicants and less need for student aid. (MSE)

Defines conflict resolution and peer mediation and reviews the theoretical base for conflict resolution research. Examines the goals and activities of several peer mediation programs, and discusses the benefits of such programs. Notes that conflict resolution and peer mediation offer feasible opportunities for an entire school community to create…

Discusses the importance of databases and information systems in efforts to examine the interinstitutional transfer of credits, courses, curricula, and students. Highlights the achievements of selected states and institutions in developing systems to monitor student flow and academic performance and to evaluate and enhance transfer/articulation…

"The Achiever" is a monthly publication for parents and community leaders. Each issue contains news and information about school improvement in the United States. Highlights of this issue include: (1) "No Child Left Behind": Key Focus in State of the Union; (2) A Shining Example: Using Mix of Strategies, Stanton Elementary…