Argues that the current trend toward abandoning teacher education comes at an inopportune time, since recent research creates opportunities for meaningful reform. Discusses findings concerning instructional and classroom management techniques and their effects on student achievement, the classroom applications of such findings, and consequent…

Ethical issues relating to naturalistic evaluation are addressed, focusing on the role of the evaluator, problems of privacy and data gathering techniques, and issues relating to the use/abuse of findings. Benefits and costs of the naturalistic approach to program evaluation are also identified. (EGS)

Although physical fitness has become a way of life for many adults, most American children are "physically underdeveloped" by the standards of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. The physical educator's role and a plan for improving physical education programs are discussed. (DF)

Teacher education is described using opinions from critics both inside and outside the profession. A new model for teacher preparation is proposed that is based on four different models. Several unique teacher education programs are reviewed. (DF)

Describes funding and communication strategies at six, nonprofit, nonsectarian, tuition-free preschools for mentally retarded and developmentally delayed children. Details marketing strategies; the role of multiple markets; the targeting of potential funders among local citizens, foundations, and corporations; and the creation of honorary…

Discusses the outlier paradigm, then (1) reviews some major studies in reading program effectiveness at the elementary school level that have followed the paradigm (2) synthesizes findings from these studies into what they suggest are the key elements of effective reading programs (3) offers some critical commentary on the studies in question and…

lines insurance needs for adventure education programs. Gives results of a survey (65 percent response rate) of 68 adventure education programs and their insurance coverage or reasons why they had no insurance. Discusses risk management for adventure education programs. (MH)

Physical education can be an integral part of the basics of education when the curriculum teaches fundamental skills, focuses on these skills for life survival, broadens awareness of the world, and provides recreation. (DF)

Argues that one cannot be a successful educational administrator unless he or she studies and adopts good management procedures. Offers suggestions for developing such procedures. (FL)

Factors that have contributed to the sluggish evolution of an adequate planning methodology in environmental health programs at the local level are detailed. Areas of environmental health programs identified by the author as needing change include: management, the administrative model, program evaluation, and community participation. (BT)

This article explores the value of a group experience designed especially for black clients. An Afro-American group was formed to discuss such subjects as Afro-American history and culture, black experience and self-image. Membership in this group was found to foster greater program involvement by black clients. (SJL)

This report of the Detroit Public Schools compiles data analysis of prekindergarten children's entry level skills, a 1-month follow-up assessment, and an end-of-the-year skills evaluation. The report contains information on the growth and development of 3- and 4-year-old prekindergarten students in the Michigan School Readiness Program and Head…

In 1998, California voters approved Proposition 10, the Children and Families First Act, which placed an additional tax on cigarette sales; monies generated will be used to improve early childhood development for birth to five. In terms of early childhood development, the starting point is not birth but long before; care of women of reproductive…

As part of a series of reports designed to support the implementation of Proposition 10: The California Children and Families Act and to provide comprehensive and authoritative information on critical issues concerning young children and families in California, this report provides county-level commissioners and their staff with information about…

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…