The second year of "Keep the Promise" Research--an in-depth, three-year study of academic remediation programs in Massachusetts' three largest school districts--is producing an array of evidence demonstrating the severely negative impact of the Commonwealth's 80% cut in MCAS remediation funding in the F'04 budget. This report--a…

Teachers and administrators were surveyed to determine the extent to which AP Vertical Teams for English were implemented in schools. Results indicate that even though the goals of the AP Vertical Teams were only partially realized, there was some positive impact on student exposure to Pre-AP instruction and AP courses and student performance on…

Assesses the current demand for and range of vocational education programs in the United States, describing participation, program availability, teaching methods, effectiveness, student and employer attitudes toward vocational education, the importance of federal funding, and needs for improvement and changes in program content and support. (PGD)

Assesses the effects of a one-day inservice program for junior high school science teachers emphasizing an activity-oriented science curriculum and management strategies necessary for such a curriculum. Results indicate inservice positively affects teacher attitudes toward strategies and student achievement in science. (DS)

Summarizes the theoretical underpinnings, substantive contents, and limitations of comprehensive social-influences-based drug abuse prevention programming. Reveals that different types of programming work well tailored to different populations and situations. Warns against the ad hoc dissemination of lessons that may not be effective. (MJP)

Describes results of a survey of 85 California community college students who transferred to four-year institutions. Students were highly satisfied with their academic preparation but desired more information on the transfer process. Demographic data, ratings of adjustment experiences, and student academic standings are included. Appendix includes…

This meta-analysis examines the effects of adventure programs on diverse outcomes such as self-concept, locus of control, and leadership. Analysis of 1,728 effect sizes from 96 studies shows that effect sizes varied substantially and improved as the length of the program and ages of the participants increased. (SLD)

Describes an introductory environmental engineering course that used a semester-long design project, team exercises, field trips and imaginative demonstrations, active learning strategies, and extensive discussions of environmental engineering practice to improve student learning and interest. Students performed well and gave the course good…

Despite their claim to the contrary, Walsh and Carballo in their report, "Transitional Bilingual Education in Massachusetts: A Preliminary Study of Its Effectiveness" (1986), did not demonstrate the superiority of bilingual education because their study was marred by a number of problems, here identified. (BJV)

Critiques the effectiveness of transitional bilingual education (TBE), focusing on the TBE program in Boston, Massachusetts. Also discusses alternatives to TBE, such as English as a Second Language pull-out programs and English immersion programs. (Contains 114 references.) (MDM)

Missouri's two-tiered higher education funding program addresses state-level accountability demands while rewarding campus-level improvements in teaching and learning. The context and evolution of the program are described, characteristics of the state-level and campus-level planning efforts are outlined, and issues in implementation and future…

The more successful college and university responses to the demand for accountability and assessment have been campus-based, with administrative and faculty leadership and support. Efforts initiated in state governments have been less substantive. An emerging trend in Europe is toward quality audits by peer assessment teams, reflecting greater…

For five years, a University of Brighton (England) social policy and administration program has incorporated a student research project into a required research methods course. The sponsored research project places considerable emphasis on student contributions to the research. These features are discussed in the context of one project, a patient…

Kindergartners and first-graders in regular classrooms were compared to students in nongraded, continuous-progress settings. Comparisons on academic achievement and school attitudes indicated differences favoring nongraded, continuous-progress settings for various academic and citizenship skills. Girls in the nongraded, continuous-progress group…

Implementation of the University of Virginia Medical Center's computerized system for mandatory recordkeeping of physician orders is discussed, focusing on issues raised among residents and physicians: time required for system use; changes in work responsibilities, patterns, and priorities; and attitudes. Recommendations are made for institutions…