This report summarizes results of initiatives established to achieve goals of the New York State Board of Regents to reform the state's preschool special education program. These goals, consistent with the provisions of the 1997 reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, view special education as a service to support…

This book offers new practices for raising student achievement as it advocates for responsible changes in the policies, structures, and operations of schools, providing a perspective to help educators face the challenges of professional learning on a personal level. Its 11 sections focus on: (1) "Introduction: Essential Questions about…

This report presents California's standards, which are intended for use by local planners to design, implement, and evaluate beginning teacher induction programs. For each standard, there is a statement of the standard itself, a rationale explaining why it is important, and a series of criteria to be used by program designers and evaluators in…

This report presents findings from Phase 1 of an evaluation of the New York City Beacons initiative, a model of school-community-family partnerships initiated in 1991. Beacons are community centers located in public schools, offering a range of activities and services to participants of all ages, before and after school, in the evenings, and on…

The purpose of this guide, developed by the Association of American Medical Colleges group on Graduate Research, Education, and Training (GREAT), is to outline a model process by which graduate programs can measure program success and that can be adapted to particular circumstances and priorities. The first sections of the guide examine the…

This book provides guidance on developing an effective evaluation plan for adult English language programs, whether in the context of family literacy, workplace and workforce literacy, or general language development. With an emphasis on surveys, interviews, observation measures, and performance samples, the authors show how staff members and…

This expanded third edition presents the authors' widely used K-12 model for planning, designing, implementing, evaluating, and enhancing content-based guidance programs. A comprehensive organizational framework useful for both reforming and establishing new guidance programs, and for improving existing programs, is provided. This edition offers…

Identifying the voluntary activities, programs, and services that children and families use during students' out-of-school time as primary supports, this self-study guide provides a framework for developing primary support programs that allow school-aged children and adolescents to develop physical, cognitive, social, and emotional skills. The…

Information about current prevention practices is provided in a comprehensive resource. An overview of different prevention approaches and how these models have been implemented in a variety of programs is presented. Techniques for outcomes research, other kinds of prevention studies, and funding opportunities are linked to a framework for…

Public relations should be an effective two-way communications system between school and public and can be implemented in seven steps: plan the public relations program; identify school publics; assess present communications effectiveness; plan to involve students, staff, and community members; identify key message sending agents; develop and…

The academic planning process begun in 1975 by a new chancellor is described that had as its objectives reassembling a shaky academic program, rebuilding staff morale, and regaining commitment of the academic community, outside community, and legislators. The process involved extensive external and self-evaluation, with periodic review. (MSE)

Reports the planning, implementation, and evaluation of a training program for foster grandparents employed at a residential center for disturbed children. Describes training objectives focused on the role of the foster grandparents in helping their charges to develop socially acceptable behavior. A cognitive problem-solving strategy was taught.…

The possibility of enhancing the comprehension of television news reporting through a school program of literacy education was studied in Italy with 60 7th graders and 50 11th graders. Results demonstrate that even brief critical viewing instruction can have an impact on student comprehension and attitudes. (SLD)

A University of New Mexico pharmacy clerkship in Indian Health Service rural ambulatory clinics is described and its results compared with an urban hospital clerkship. Unique benefits to participants included improved skills in patient counseling and chart screening, more hands-on experience, extensive individual physician consultations, and…

Higher education institutions can enhance school reform by establishing accountability measures for professional preparation of curriculum specialists. The article describes a knowledge base of curriculum domains and related practices. A quantifiable compendium of operationalized behaviors and skills can help establish frameworks for program…