A Peace Corps evaluator describes ways of improving utilization of evaluation results. Focus is on structural/organizational changes to facilitate knowledge and researcher use. Methods for use within and outside agencies; agency decision makers as end users; and the importance of context, as opposed to philosophy or methodology, are discussed.…

Discusses the development of social policy since 1901, with special emphasis on the War on Poverty. Analyzes the relationships among poverty, social norms, and family structure. Outlines the problems of the new social condition, characterized by drug abuse and welfare dependency. (FMW)

Examines the patterns of contracts between academic marine scientists and two kinds of federal funding agencies. Discusses the quality of working relationships, quality of academic marine scientific work, and dilemma of conflicting value systems. Finds that the scientists rate science-oriented agencies more favorably than society-oriented ones.…

Examines the issues addressed at two of three Child Care Institutes sponsored by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), as well as the responsibilities of ACF in relation to the provision of child care. Specific programs administered by ACF are discussed, as are future trends in federal support for child care and early childhood…

The Department of Veterans Affairs VICTORS (Vision Impairment Center To Optimize Remaining Sight) Program emphasizes individual independence through the use of low vision devices and training. The social worker's role combines traditional counseling with administrative responsibilities, such as interviewing the patient to identify needs and…

On Head Start's 30th anniversary, highlights its components of parent involvement and family support, commitment to meeting local needs, training and technical assistance support, and collaborative approach. Also discusses the Head Start Reauthorization Act and the special advisory committee's recommendations for the improvement of the Head Start…

Discusses federal and state initiatives to enhance child care quality and child care teachers' compensation. These initiatives have resulted from the passage of the Child Care and Development Block Grant in 1990. (BB)

Reports an analytic review of 73 federally funded, college-based substance abuse prevention programs to determine the nature of impact. Most programs did not identify underlying prevention philosophy or theory but did report program purposes and objectives. Most programs reported some degree of institutionalization and significant policy changes.…

A survey of 60 special schools serving physically disabled children (ages 14-16) in England and Wales determined that 70 percent of the schools did not teach foreign languages, and small percentages did not offer history, music, and geography. The impact of the National Curriculum on these students and schools is discussed. (JDD)

The Graduate Leadership Education Project on the Gifted/Talented was a federally funded collaborative effort by seven universities designed to produce the next generation of leaders in gifted education. This article provides results of a study examining the program's influences from the participants' perspectives and offers recommendations for…

Reports on a United Nations appraisal of the preschool component of India's Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS). Discusses the strengths and weaknesses of the program, the efficacy of preschool programs in India, and the role of staff training, calling for the upgrading of initial and on-the-job training. (MDM)

A chart offers data on federal appropriations for education in the following areas: student assistance; graduate support; institutional aid; bilingual education; library resources; aid to disadvantaged; education for disabled; and miscellaneous programs. Data are for fiscal 1994 spending, fiscal 1995 presidential request, fiscal 1995 approved by…

Chapter 1 aims will not be achieved until disadvantaged youngsters are succeeding in the regular program and exhibiting grade-level proficiency. To succeed, Chapter 1 programs must be coordinated with regular instruction, emphasize more than basic skills, and abandon low learning expectations and stereotyped notions of poor and minority students.…

Effective practice reviews (EPRs) are described as used in evaluation studies for the Office of Evaluation and Inspections, a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Examples are given of EPRs in addressing new problems, structuring and improving federal programs, and decreasing costs. (SLD)

Examines the influence of various sociopolitical factors on government policies in two federal programs, those for the gifted and talented and those for bilingual education. Traces the evolution of these programs and compares their backgrounds to determine the influences shaping federal funding and program implementation. (GLR)