This book seeks to stimulate inquiry into the area of implementation in three social policy areas: education programs; community-oriented programs; and transfer-payment*programs. It is intended for government groups and social science researchers, including analysts, who carry out programs, researchers who are engaged in social policy studies, and…

It is doubtful that federal programs are effective in initiating and maintaining improvements in education. Longitudinal studies of Head Start children and other studies commissioned by the Department of Education have indicated no proof that schools improved as a result of these federally funded programs. Project Developmental Continuity (PDC),…

Evaluation results from the Improving Citizenship Education (ICE) Project are presented. The purpose of the ICE project was to design and test a model for improving the political/citizenship knowledge and attitudes of K-12 students by infusing citizenship education into an existing social studies curriculum. This evaluation examined the…

The Data-Based Staff Development Program is an integral feature of the Adaptive Learning Environments Model (ALEM), an educational program developed to provide basic skills learning experiences that are adaptive to the individual learning needs of students. The Data-Based Staff Development Program was designed to assist school personnel…

The development of the relationship between nonpublic schools and state and federal governments has raised a number of questions regarding public aid to nonpublic education. This study focuses on one of these questions, the problem of state agencies' responsibility for the evaluation, governance, planning, and monitoring of programs providing…

The St. Louis Public Schools have used magnet schools to meet the goals of desegregating the system and improving the quality of education for students. The changes in the St. Louis Schools began in 1975 with the issuance of a Consent Judgement and Decree. The Consent Decree provides broad guidelines which allow the system to develop specific…

A proposed evaluation model for measuring the impact of demonstration projects in vocational education defines sets of criteria, standards, and documentation for both interim and final acceptable evidence of project impact. Interim acceptable evidence is that evidence of project success which should be expected during the demonstration grant…

This report describes and evaluates the implementation of the Far West Laboratory's Responsive Educational Program (REP) in four communities participating in the Head Start and Follow Through "Planned Variation" experiment. The purposes of the report are: (1) to evaluate a particular implementation effort, and (2) to devise a new…

Introduces the other articles in this special issue. Restructuring the schools to some means changing the "mechanics" of schooling; to others it refers to changes in relations of authority. However, there is uncertainty whether any restructuring will take place because a restructuring program will be difficult to implement. (BJV)

Describes a statewide attempt launched in Connecticut in 198l, designed to improve school effectiveness through a systematic process using valid assessment methods founded on emerging research and sound practice. Also summarizes findings of the project's first major evaluation. (Author/GC)

Reviews recent trends in the development and implementation of performance-based incentive programs for teachers and administrators. Looks at program control, administrator and teacher involvement, time frames used, criteria for career advancement, evaluation methods employed, effects of funding on implementation, and program evaluation. Considers…

Michigan is designing a new accountability system that combines high standards and statewide testing within a school accreditation framework. Sound assessment techniques are critical if the accountability system is to provide relevant information to schools and policymakers. One important component of a sound assessment system is measurement of…

The purpose of this study is to document how member schools of the Boston Pilot Schools Network use authentic assessments to understand what their students know and can do. These principles not only reflect the belief that a student's learning must be measured in multiple, authentic ways, they also reflect the Network's focus on equitable…

This report provides an overview and description of social and emotional learning (SEL) and service-learning (S-L) as tools to improve the lives and academic performance of students. It describes how the two practices are interrelated, and cites research evidence that supports the expanded use of both practices in the classroom. Also provided are…

Recognizing increasing difficulties faced by parents in the 1990s, this study surveyed group-based parenting programs in Great Britain in 1994-95. Findings indicate considerable diversity in program theory, objectives, content, and methods, with most programs based on social learning and behavioral principles. The main focus of programs is…