The Colorado Adult Literacy Commission assessed the status of illiteracy in Colorado and the degree to which current programs met students' needs. Participants at regional meetings identified these issues: (1) low basic skills hamper economic development; (2) low literacy levels represent a threat to health and safety; (3) illiteracy and crime are…

An evaluation was made of the adult basic education (ABE) program of the North Carolina Department of Community Colleges in the summer of 1988. The study used surveys to collect both opinion data and secondary information on aspects of ABE programs such as budgets, student enrollment, and features of the instructional program. Information was…

This report examines the representation of women and minorities in the science, mathematics, and engineering fields and addresses the sources of current trends and issues for the future. The first section, "Demographics and the Science and Engineering Talent Pool", addresses the expected shortfall of more that 400,000 science and engineering…

An 11-point plan was developed by the Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System (CASAS) in cooperation with the California Department of Education for the 1990-91 year. Major program objectives were designed to enhance agency involvement, identify underlying causes of student attrition, examine test administration and security practices,…

This document summarizes the ninth annual report of civil rights compliance activities in Michigan carried out by the Vocational-Technical Education Service (VTES), under the Michigan State Board of Education, during fiscal year 1988-89. These activities were conducted to comply with the mandates of the Vocational Education Programs Guidelines for…

This 1991-94 3-year plan describes proposed use of federal funds available to Wisconsin for the support of vocational and technical education. The first three sections provide an introduction, state board certification, and the table of contents. Section IV describes assessment provisions of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology…

The impact of test item multidimensionality was examined as it affected fitting items on a teacher licensure test to an item response theory (IRT) model. Test item data from the 1990 study of G. W. Guiton and G. Delandshere are used. The Connecticut Elementary Certification Test (CONNECT) is a licensure examination designed to assess the subject…

In 1987, Congress passed the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act. One of its provisions was that each child of a homeless individual and each homeless youth have access to a free, appropriate public education. As required by the Act, the state prepared a plan for indirect and direct educational services to the homeless children of Hawaii.…

The results are provided of an initial analysis of the reliability (generalizability) of the System for Teaching and Learning Assessment and Review (STAR) as a comprehensive measure of classroom teaching and learning for making teacher certification decisions. The STAR contains 140 indicators of teacher effectiveness and student learning, which…

This report presents findings from a study of the ways in which interagency efforts by State and local government agencies influence accessibility of services for children with handicapping conditions and their families. The research was designed as a case study of a mid-Atlantic State that has a wide range of demographic characteristics. Thirty…

Seven papers discussing practical strategies and examples for designing and implementing inclusive educational programs for Minnesota public schools are presented. The papers include: (1) "Strategies for Achieving an Integrated Education for Middle School Learners with Severe Disabilities" (Jennifer York and Terri Vandercook); (2)…

The Chapter 188 Dropout Prevention Grant Program funds school districts with high percentages of low-income students and school dropouts to enable them to implement dropout prevention initiatives in grades 7 through 12. The emphasis in funding is on long-term school change in school policy, curriculum, governance, scheduling, programming, support…

This 25th annual report summarizes recent activities in Ohio that were provided by means of Chapter 1 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Information presented concerns: (1) statistics for fiscal 1990; (2) participation trends; (3) instructional impact; (4) expenditure and staffing patterns; (5) parent involvement; and (6) 5-year…

Issues related to the Education Reform Bill of Ohio are discussed. Administration of norm-referenced achievement tests in reading, mathematics, language, and related school-ability tests is required for grades 4, 6, and 8 (effective by 1990) and grade 10 (effective by 1991). The reform bill specifies rewards and sanctions in addition to statewide…

Five papers presented at a symposium during the 1991 annual conference of the National Council on Measurement in Education explore the design, development, and implementation of the Texas Master Teacher Examination (TMTE) Program. Educational policymakers have begun to maintain that the professionalization of teaching can be substantially…