This fact book evaluates Comprehensive Partnerships for Mathematics and Science Achievement (CPMSA) based on the Tabulated Indicators for Systemic Changes (TISC-2002). The CPMSA is a National Science Foundation (NSF) program designed to improve the mathematics and science education of urban students in medium-sized cities. Twenty-seven cities…

Nearly 20 years ago, the first national assessment of student achievement in U.S. history yielded disappointing results. Although policy-makers and researchers expressed great concern about the low scores, the federal government did not undertake large-scale efforts to address poor student performance, and few research dollars were dedicated to…

Since computer science education is a key to preparing students for a technologically-oriented future, it makes sense to have high quality resources for conducting summative and formative evaluation of those programs. This paper describes the results of a critical analysis of the resources for evaluating K-12 computer science education projects.…

Illustrates progress made at Howard Community College (HCC) in the last three years in efforts to improve student learning, instructional effectiveness, and curriculum. Information for this progress report was compiled with input from offices involved in monitoring outcomes assessment of student learning at the college. These include the office of…

This study described an evaluation model designed to evaluate the use and impact of Professional Development Schools (PDSs) in teacher education. It employed quantitative and qualitative data and was flexible enough to be used by practitioners in both education and training and development. Data were collected via observations, interviews, and…

This collection contains 88 papers or summaries presented at a 1999 conference on self-study and institutional improvement for institutions of higher education. Papers are grouped into these chapters (with sample topics in parentheses): (1) "Quality Improvement Programs and Their Connection to the Accreditation Process" (self-study;…

These three issues of 2000-2001 "Focus" present a collection of papers focusing on issues related to poverty. The first issue discusses child support enforcement policy and low-income families, highlighting such issues as fragile families and child wellbeing; low-income families and the child support enforcement system; child support…

Those who are charged with the evaluation of an educational program or school or effects of teaching often must consider how well students do on the variety of standardized tests they take in the course of a school year. This overview describes common types of tests students take in large-scale programs. Criterion-referenced tests are tests that…

This report discusses the findings of a study that evaluated the effectiveness of a set of considerate interventions in closing the language arts achievement gap in general, and evaluated the effects of these interventions in complex classroom settings that serve large numbers of at-risk students who have disabilities and live in poverty. The…

California is experiencing a critical shortage of nurses -- a shortage that is likely to increase in the coming years (Coffman & Spetz, 1999). Although much of the nation is also experiencing similar shortages, California's shortage is more severe than that of any other state in the nation (Bureau of Health Professions, 2002). Most analyses of…

Professional evaluation of career counseling programs is becoming increasingly important as funding becomes more limited and accountability more pervasive. This digest describes a Canadian approach used by an outside team to evaluate seven small career counseling programs. Evaluators addressed two basic goals: appraise the effectiveness and…

In this digest, "career counseling" refers to activities intended to improve individuals' ability to make career decisions. Studies have shown that career counseling helps individuals as much as well-developed psychological, educational, or behavioral interventions. But more studies are needed to explain this phenomenon; this digest…

A project to develop an interdisciplinary course (ARSC 10/11) for teaching science to college students not majoring in science is described. Concept modules were developed for a two-semester format consisting of three hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory per week. Important science themes were identified to promote an understanding of…

This report is a snapshot of some of the educational innovations implemented in Tasmanian schools during 1994. Descriptions of 11 projects in primary, secondary, district high, and senior secondary schools and colleges in both urban and rural settings are included. Each description is a story of how the project began including details of the…

Three research studies examined the impact of environmental interpretation programs on the environmental knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of student participants. Conducted by Indiana University's Department of Recreation and Park Administration, the studies evaluated variables related to entry level (awareness), ownership, and empowerment…