This document, the third of five volumes that comprise the final report of the National Assessment of Vocational Education focuses on program improvement. Chapter 1 describes the education reform movement and assesses its effects on vocational education. It discusses current reforms that states are undertaking to improve preparation of students…

This document offers a view of educational change that has educational technology at the center of the process and underscores some of the contributions educational technology can make to reforming education in Saskatchewan (Canada). The province has an excellent teaching force and communities that value education highly, but there is a prevailing…

The Task Force on Early Childhood and Elementary Education, created by the Texas State Board of Education in January 1993, found that the current system of early childhood and elementary education is struggling to meet the challenges of childhood in today's Texas. This report summarizes the task force's call for schools to reconfigure themselves…

This seven-chapter monograph elaborates on five components of an expanded vision of basic education. It presents material that deals with aspects of these components: universalizing access and promoting equity, focusing on learning, broadening the means and scope of basic education, enhancing the environment for learning, and strengthening…

Three types of research summaries comprise this loose-leaf compendium: "topical synthesis,""closeups," and "snapshots." The single topical synthesis is entitled "Fostering Intercultural Harmony in Schools" (Kathleen Cotton). Closeups consist of brief definitions and essential research findings on the following topics: "Developing Employability…

These proceedings contain presentations and materials from a conference to discuss the need for a system of lifelong learning for youth and adults with disabilities. Section I, "Welcome and Conference Challenge," presents brief opening remarks by Betsy Brand and Robert Davila. Section II contains an executive summary and the keynote…

This document is a report of the Children's Express Symposium III, a forum for journalists on children's issues. Included in the report are the comments of news media executives, journalists, broadcasters, experts on children's issues, directors of children's programs, and young people affected by the policies and practices discussed. Opening…

Vocational staff from 10 Pennsylvania vocational schools were given information and instructional materials to enable them to create effective programs for disadvantaged populations. A needs assessment was conducted to identify specific needs of the participating vocational staff pertaining to programming for disadvantaged students. After…

The monograph, written for persons and organizations at state and local levels who share concern about learning activities for adults in rural America, explores characteristics of three traditional providers of nonformal education (the Cooperative Extension Service, public libraries, and community service divisions of community colleges), assesses…

This book is a set of inservice staff training modules designed to help teachers, administrators, and auxiliary staff to produce high levels of achievement regardless of the socioeconomic level or ethnic make-up of the student population. It operationally defines school learning climate as attitudinal and behavioral patterns which impact on the…

Because it is based upon the premise that learning is a lifelong process and that citizen involvement is essential to neighborhood problem solving, community education is particularly attuned to the current needs of cities and can be particularly effective in responding to urban housing needs. One way in which leaders can simultaneously address…

This report explores the effects of federal, state, and local fiscal cutbacks and of federal and state categorical program consolidation and deregulation on the capacity of state, intermediate, and local education agencies to provide instructional improvement services to schools in California, Nevada, and Utah. The planning process and impact of…

Fiscal year 1982 was transitional for the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), as it was the last year of the broad economic development program and a year of reduced funding and new limits on programs. In 1981, Congress had requested that ARC prepare a plan for completion of the Appalachian highway system and for a 3 to 5 year ARC finish-up…

Many rural schools today are faced with problems of inadequate facilities and instructional materials, limited course offerings, inadequate funding, poor teaching, and limited job opportunities for students. Rural young people, particularly women, have bleak prospects for post-secondary education or non-traditional employment. Because rural youth…

The report of the 25-member National Advisory Council on Rural Development, appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture, defines rural needs and sets forth strategies for rural development in the 1980's. A review of the decade between 1970 and 1980 discusses rapid economic growth of rural areas, social progress, and changes in public service, and…