Vocational education and training (VET) has been given greater emphasis in Australian schools with the inclusion of seven Framework courses that contribute to students' Higher School Certificate and also count in students' University Admissions Index scores. A study examined the perceptions of people involved in VET programs for year 11.…

NCATE (2002) requires the measurement of knowledge, skills, and dispositions as part of its accreditation requirements for teacher education programs (Standard 1) and the use of unit assessment systems to aggregate and analyse data with a view toward program improvement (Standard 2). Data must indicate that candidates meet professional, state, and…

In May of 2006, two focus groups were conducted for the Arkansas Department of Education. The goal of this research was to explore the needs of Arkansas business leaders with regards to hiring Arkansas high school graduates. Some of the themes explored in the research were: skills perceived to be lacking in the graduates, strong suits of recent…

The instructional strategies teachers and other school personnel have used in the successful remediation of students who have failed reading and writing portions of the Virginia Literacy Passport Test (LPT) or the LPT Predictor Test were studied. The intent was to determine if specific approaches seem to work best for different types of students…

In 1997, the National Campaign To Prevent Teen Pregnancy convened nine focus groups of parents of teens and other adults who work with teens such as teachers, clergy, coaches, youth recreation specialists, youth-serving organization staff, and community outreach workers. This report publishes the results of these focus groups, which involved 57…

This guide describes ways in which partners at the state level can move toward more integrated and comprehensive support systems for children and families eligible for services under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. It reports on the collective experiences of states participating in the "Opening Doors Project,"…

This study examined the continuation and duration of related services provided for children transitioning from early childhood special education (ECSE) to the school-age setting (i.e., kindergarten) particularly the post-ECSE special education services provided. Data provided by 69 educators (administrators and special education coordinators) in…

This issues brief discusses the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Specifically, it reports on the results of focus groups that explored where people stand on standards-based education and whether they are likely to support or abandon struggling schools. The focus groups consisted of more than 60 participants who represented a broad cross-section…

Noting that care of children has not often been investigated from the perspective of the child, this study examined children's views on "care." Participating in the survey study were 941 children, ages 10 to 12 years, (592 in their first year of secondary school and 349 in their last year of primary school). Participants were drawn from…

Provides an overview of NetLinkS, a professional development project for networked learner support in United Kingdom higher education institutions. Topics include objectives; results of focus groups; current trends; library-based services, including user education and support for distance learners; and future plans. (Author/LRW)

Results from focus group interviews with 23 professional disability-sector workers indicate that personal values strongly influence the practices used by study participants when they are listening to nonverbal individuals with severe intellectual disabilities. Environmental, teller, and listener impediments to successful listening are identified,…

A study examined low-income Latinos' attitudes concerning diabetes. Focus groups and surveys of 160 California Latinos, primarily of Mexican descent, found that many at risk of developing diabetes were unaware of risk factors, had never been screened, and did not know where to get advice. Most believed that stress or strong emotion caused the…

This study examined issues related to improving the quality of distance education courses that were raised by university students in Australia. Focus group sessions were held in rural and urban areas in Queensland that discussed student interaction with lecturers, assessment tasks, flexibility, study materials, mentors, and educational technology.…

A focus group study of 29 Queens College/CUNY (City University of New York) undergraduates, born and educated outside the United States, determined that most described needs related to course work rather than language or culture. Participants commented on library hours, physical surroundings, research tools, personnel, collections, and copy…

This article relates the evolution of field-related accreditation standards since the 1982 Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Curriculum Policy Statement to the changes that have occurred in agencies, students, and educational institutions. It demonstrates how CSWE modifications helped solve some problems while creating new ones. The authors…