The 1994-95 school year was the first year of the MECA (Manufacturing, Engineering, Construction, Automotive) partnership implementation in the Saginaw (Michigan) Public Schools. MECA's purpose was to nurture the potential of youth while placing them in workplace environments that had not been a traditional part of applied learning in secondary…

This proceedings document provides the texts of 23 presentations given at a conference in 1994 which focused on policies, materials, programs, and activities being implemented in Alabama to foster the successful transition of youth with disabilities to adult life. An initial paper compares the definition of transition developed by Andrew Halpern…

This report presents findings of a demonstration project that tested the concepts and applications of linking student records using social security numbers with state unemployment insurance (UI) wage and other data sources. It also contains information of value to policymakers, state and local administrators, practitioners, and consumers of…

Since 1988, Vermont has been developing a state assessment program, the centerpiece of which is the student portfolio and "best pieces" drawn from it. The state's use of portfolio results will be limited to reporting aggregates, but within schools, teachers and principals may use the portfolios as they choose. The assessment program,…

In 1991-92 Vermont initiated a statewide portfolio assessment program in mathematics and writing in grades 4 and 8. An evaluation of the program found mixed results--although the portfolio scores were unreliable for individual or school-level reporting and teachers had concerns about implementation, the assessment had marked positive effects on…

This report continues for a second-year analysis of progress made in implementing Illinois State Board of Higher Education policy on secondary education requirements for college admission and improving undergraduate education in Illinois. In particular this report examines the preparation of students for college and their achievement in their…

The design and operations of the Economic Dislocation and Worker Adjustment Assistance (EDWAA) Act program in its implementation year were examined through case studies conducted in 15 states and 30 substate areas. During 6- to 8-day visits to each state, field researchers conducted discussions with state and substate respondents. States almost…

This publication describes basic skills improvement programs and activities ongoing throughout the United States. The guide is organized into two sections. The first section contains program descriptions and hands-on materials from 25 elementary and secondary programs across the nation that have been selected for inclusion in the National…

This guide is the first in a series of interpretive explanations of the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA). It is designed to provide practitioners and business leaders involved in state and local employment and training programs with an understanding of how to implement the public-private partnership of JTPA. This first edition does the…

This document reports on Virginia's progress toward the development of model child care programs in rural communities. An introduction providing background information is followed by a discussion of the project model, project goals, quality child day care in Caroline County, and the methodology of the project evaluation. Subsequent discussion…

In 1987, the Chancellor's Office of the California Community Colleges initiated a three and one-half year evaluation of the statewide matriculation program, a legislatively mandated effort to assist community college students in identifying and achieving their educational goals. This report evaluates the implementation of matriculation during the…

This study investigates three alternative methods in practice for operating and funding the Department of Defense (DOD) dependents' schools that are located in American military installations. Through the Military Construction Authorization Act of 1985, Congress indicated that federal maintenance and operation of dependents' schools was not an…

A study identified strategies used in selected rural states for evaluating the effectiveness of vocational programs and services for handicapped and disadvantaged students. During the study, the researcher examined the documents used by 13 rural states to assess their vocational programs for handicapped and disadvantaged individuals. This…

This document is the first issue of a National Alliance of Business publication designed to present proven solutions, cutting-edge strategies, and comprehensive reference materials and to examine in depth in each issue a critical issue related to public/private employment and training partnerships. This first issue addresses one of the most…

This project was conducted to enable vocational teacher trainees and vocational practitioners and support personnel (e.g., special education teachers, developmental education specialists, counselors) to meet the special vocational needs of disadvantaged and handicapped learners in Oregon schools and colleges. To accomplish this objective, the…