A study evaluated to what extent self-assessment is being implemented in those Finnish institutions of general and vocational upper secondary education that were running pilot projects of youth education reform. It explored how student self-assessment is associated with the concept of self-directed learning and reflective expertise and reviewed…

An evaluation was made of secondary and postsecondary vocational-technical education in North Dakota to review progress since the passage of Public Law 101-392 in that state. Some of the findings of the postsecondary evaluation are the following: (1) between 1991 and 1993, a unique statewide tech prep initiative was begun and is in its second…

The Subcommittee met to hear testimony on the college student loan process, particularly whether, at a time of devolution of power to state and local levels, it is contradictory to continue with the relatively new Federal Direct Student Loan Program. Chairman Peter Hoekstra outlined how vital higher education has become for access to quality…

This guide is designed to facilitate the implementation of the Florida First Start (FFS) program, created to help at-risk children from birth to 3 years of age have the best possible start in life and to support parents in their roles as their children's first teachers. Emphasis is on providing early, high-quality education and support services.…

Students for Volunteer Services was a demonstration project implemented by Michigan's Lansing Community College to facilitate student understanding of and participation in community service. Project activities focused on increasing the percentages of students who volunteer (with an emphasis on minority students), improving the abilities of…

"Success for All" and "Roots and Wings" are comprehensive restructuring programs for elementary schools designed to make the idea that "all children can learn" into a practical, daily organizing principle for schools, especially those serving many children placed at risk. This book describes the programs in detail,…

This book is the fourth in a series aiming to promote international exchange of ideas, experiences, and studies relating to technical and vocational education. The introduction reviews traditional practices in assessment and chapter 2 highlights the connections between assessment and learning, emphasizing that assessment is the most significant…

This document profiles Ohio's seven award-winning workplace literacy programs. The workplace literacy programs described are offered by a mix of urban and rural firms which employ between 85 and 2,323 individuals in a variety of sectors. The workplace literacy programs offered by the following firms are described: Cleveland Track Material; L.J.…

The need to develop "family capital" (the attributes and skills that enable families to carry out their economic, social, and nurturing functions) in inner-city neighborhoods is the focus of this background briefing report. Part I of the report describes the characteristics and causes of distressed communities and their impact on families, and…

The relationship between housing and family well-being and self-sufficiency are explored in this paper's three major sections. The first section provides background information on the relationship between housing and the physical and social well-being of individuals and families and describes the major federal housing initiatives that have been…

This report describes a project to develop a tool to assist local schools and districts in choosing among various educational approaches to serving children and youth with disabilities in general education settings. The primary purpose of the study, its objectives, and the final product are described in the first chapter. The second chapter…

This report discusses the findings from two case studies of state use of discretionary funds under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Part B. The two states involved in the study were Michigan and Wisconsin. Documents and interviews were used to gather detailed descriptive information from both states regarding: (1) the…

School Development Plans (SDPs) were pioneered by individual schools and local education authorities (LEAs) in England as a grassroots approach to school management that was eventually adopted by national education authorities. An empirical investigation of the implementation and impact of SDPs was carried out in primary schools through a…

As a result of a study by the California Postsecondary Education Commission on the feasibility of extending secondary school-community college articulated career programs to the baccalaureate degree level, the 1988-89 state budget provided $410,000 to support the development of a 3-year 2 + 2 + 2 pilot program. In November 1988, 18 projects were…

A process description and preliminary evaluation are provided for the Weed and Seed initiative in Springfield (Illinois). This initiative involved local, state, and federal resources in projects that included (1) facility improvement, (2) drug prevention, (3) youth education and child care, (4) jobs and vocational training, (5) resident…