The personal and cumulative experiential knowledge of the education profession has been valued out of proportion to that which could be contributed by research. A comparison of education with agriculture provides a contrast showing the potential importance of the use of research in teacher education. Educational research is not as well developed…

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction implemented, in 71 school districts, a pilot project designed to assist handicapped learners to participate in vocational education programs. The program, called Designated Vocational Instruction (DVI), is intended to improve the scope and quality of secondary-level vocational education for special…

Resulting from a summer workshop concentrating on the writing of elementary school children, this booklet begins by reviewing a number of articles read and discussed by workshop participants. The second section, drawing upon the work of Sheila Schlawin, focuses on the composing process and answers a number of questions that teachers have about…

A study of the effect of implementing educational innovations in local schools across the country explored several factors affecting successful improvement. This paper provides a general overview of the interrelation among these factors, with illustrative diagrams. Particular attention is paid to innovations requiring major changes in teacher…

Valid indicators for a school district's Chapter 1 program that would help districts make decisions and shape policy are defined and explored. The March 1988 report of the School District of Philadelphia's Chapter 1 task force proposed a 2-year phase-in of a totally restructured Chapter 1 program for the Philadelphia schools. The definition of…

This handbook is designed to help instructors and advisory committees interact effectively in the Partners in Program Excellence (PIPE) system. It describes a way to keep a local advisory committee involved throughout the life of the training program. The handbook takes the instructor and the advisory committee through the 10 activities into which…

The Office of the State Comptroller in New York conducted several audits of the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) at about 90 registered business schools in the state. TAP provides up to $3,300 per year in tuition assistance to disadvantaged students who take approved programs at the private schools. In 1985-86, TAP paid about $45 million to the…

An effective induction assistance program is necessary to prepare beginning vocational education teachers. A structured approach should be based on research, educational theory, experience, and the best thinking that can be found. To be successful, an induction assistance program must be a collaborative effort, accepted and supported by local…

This digest discusses the issue of stopping drug abuse as a national priority. Several aspects of the drug abuse issue are covered in question-and-answer format: (1) Why should educators be concerned about drug abuse by students? (2) What are school districts doing to stop drug abuse? (3) What social issues are involved? (4) How can schools plan…

A project entitled Model Programs for Rural Vocational Education was conducted in 1987-1988 to provide research and recommendations for the direction of rural education in Arizona. The model program for students in grades 7 through 12 that is described in this report is based on the research that was conducted during the project. The plan is based…

The Federal Government has been funding state- and locally operated adult literacy programs for nearly 25 years. Unfortunately, despite the best intentions and efforts, the federal initiative in adult literacy has been minimal, inefficient, and ineffective. There has been no consistent federal policy guiding the growth of programs since 1965.…

A nationwide task force was formed to assess the effectiveness of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act since its passage in 1984 and to determine how it could be improved. After examining the past and present role of the Federal Government in vocational-technical education (VTE) in the context of current and future needs for VTE, the task…

A project was undertaken to improve training for career guidance counselors in Pennsylvania by implementing the recommendations made by counseling personnel who participated in six regional workshops that were held throughout Pennsylvania in 1983-1984. These recommendations were disseminated to various Pennsylvania counselor preparation…

The ability of the special education student to make a smooth transition into the adult world depends upon a number of criteria, beginning with the support and assistance of family, friends, and school personnel. An appropriate curriculum for high school students with mild disabilities should accomplish the same goal as one designed for all high…

Using an evaluation of a hospital-based hospice as a case study, this paper analyzes problematic issues surrounding health care teams (HCTs) in light of findings revealed in the literature concerning HCT structures and processes. The factors of coordination and role definitions in HCTs and their manifestations in a particular hospice HCT in terms…