Despite efforts to improve the quality and equity of science, mathematics, engineering, and technology (SMET) education at all educational levels, the nation remains at risk of losing its competitive edge. This report presents the findings of a special panel convened for two purposes: (1) to review federal programs in SMET education at all levels;…

This report addresses current economic conditions in rural America and offers recommendations about the role the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) can play in providing rural development. The Task Force identifies issues for rural policy in the 1990's focusing on economic development. Current rural programs are described and…

This evaluation of the 1989-90 Resource Laboratory Program for Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) in Washington (District of Columbia) elementary and junior high schools found that the program improved participants' mathematics achievement, but did not have a significant effect on reading achievement. The program is funded under Chapter 1 of the…

The purpose of this document is to share various approaches used by federal agencies to assess needs and measure training effectiveness. The emphasis in the descriptions is on the evaluation process rather than on the results. One program was evaluated by employing return-on-investment (ROI) data and using volunteer line personnel who conducted…

With 30 Federal agencies getting in the education act, it's the job of the Federal Interagency Committee on Education to bring them together. (Editor)

Most of the evaluations of institutional training under the Manpower Development and Training Act are highly favorable. Negative criticisms, however, emphasize the uncertainties in these studies and displacement effects of the programs. The article answers these criticisms. (MW)

This summary evaluates a federal demonstration program to reach "disconnected" youth not currently served by job training programs under the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA). Disconnected youth are defined as those who have lost or never developed the traditional values of their communities, who do not participate in traditional…

The effects of a multi-phased assessment on the management and modification of Federal special education programs and policy is discussed. The purposes and methodology of the three-part assessment procedures (evaluability assessment, rapid feedback assessment, and the performance monitoring system) are presented. This is followed by a description…

The educational and recreational programs of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) are carried out to help achieve the overall mission of the FWS, which is to provide federal leadership to conserve, protect, and enhance fish and wildlife and their habitats for the continuous benefit of people. A set of standards and related questions…

With the enactment of the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act (ECIA) of 1981, private, nonprofit schools were rendered eligible to participate on an equitable basis in federally funded school programs. During the 1982-83 school year (the first year of ECIA Chapter 2) 44 private, nonprofit schools in the District of Columbia elected to…

This report presents evaluation data on Title I compensatory reading and mathematics programs for kindergarten through grade 12 in public schools, private schools, and institutions for neglected and delinquent children in Clark County, Nevada. Included in the report is information on the number of participants in the different programs, the extent…

The Institutional Conservation Program (ICP) is a voluntary grant program designed to help such non-profit institutions as schools, hospitals, local governments, and public care facilities save energy and reduce anticipated energy-related costs. Another primary ICP goal is to conserve oil, thereby reducing the nation's dependence on imported…

This report describes a study of one-year educational innovation projects funded under Title III of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. Focus of the study was not on the content of the projects but on how they were conducted, with particular emphasis on the role of the project directors. Data for the study were gathered through…

In four sections, this document reports on the activities of the Office of Inspector General (OIG), which provides audit, investigation, fraud detection and prevention, and certain security services to the U.S. Department of Education. Section 1 presents data on OIG audit activities, money recovered or saved, and the problem of unresolved audits,…