Despite efforts to improve the quality and equity of science, mathematics, engineering, and technology (SMET) education at all educational levels, the nation remains at risk of losing its competitive edge. This report presents the findings of a special panel convened for two purposes: (1) to review federal programs in SMET education at all levels;…

The articles in this journal issue provide an overview of ways in which health services are presently delivered to children, youth, and pregnant women; the means by which these services are financed; and some of the major deficiencies in meeting the health needs of these groups. In the first article, the Center for the Future of Children presents…

This annual report outlines the mission and goals of New Zealand's Early Childhood Development Unit (ECDU), established in 1989 to promote the development and provision of high quality, accessible, and culturally appropriate educational and developmental facilities and services for families and young children. Presented in English with English and…

This report examines the expansion of Head Start programs to include children from birth to age 3. The report notes that high-quality, comprehensive programs for families and young children have demonstrated their effectiveness in helping families raise healthy, confident, curious children and, by providing support to parents, increasing parents'…

Since the 1960s, schools have relied on federal and state programs to provide the extra resources and services needed to help certain categories of disadvantaged students catch up with their classmates. While many credit these categorical programs with expanding educational opportunities, increasing numbers question the effectiveness of this ad…

Institutions have been slow to respond to changes in family life, and service delivery has mostly been limited to responding to crises and to treating problems. Family resource and support programs began emerging in the 1970s to fill parents' expressed need for more support. As part of this trend, the federal Family Preservation and Support…

The federal High Performance Computing and Communications (HPCC) program was created to accelerate the development of future generations of high performance computers and networks and the use of these resources in the federal government and throughout the American economy. This report describes the HPCC program which is developing computing,…

This document summarizes the requirements and guidelines for the Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP). This program is authorized by Section 787 of the Public Health Service Act to make grants to and contracts with postsecondary institutions to carry out programs which assist individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds to enter and graduate…

In January 1989, a one-page questionnaire was mailed to 1,093 U.S. public school districts to examine the extent to which educational research and development (R&D) resources had been received and used since September 1987. Conducted by the Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI) in the U.S. Department of Education, the survey…

Data on federal financial support for education for fiscal years (FY) 1980 through 1990 are presented. To the extent possible, outlays for education from all federal agencies are included. Total federal support for education was estimated to be $61.8 billion in FY 90, an increase of 58% since 1980. After adjustment for inflation, federal support…

As a result of a review of performance reports submitted by almost 400 colleges and universities receiving Veterans Education Outreach Program (VEOP) grants, 37 exemplary programs were identified by a panel of 5 professionals in veterans' education and government administration. The exemplary programs selected showed consistency in staff efforts…

This report addresses current economic conditions in rural America and offers recommendations about the role the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) can play in providing rural development. The Task Force identifies issues for rural policy in the 1990's focusing on economic development. Current rural programs are described and…

This evaluation of the 1989-90 Resource Laboratory Program for Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) in Washington (District of Columbia) elementary and junior high schools found that the program improved participants' mathematics achievement, but did not have a significant effect on reading achievement. The program is funded under Chapter 1 of the…

A project created linkages in Service Delivery Area 12, Clermont and Warren Counties, Ohio, to improve services for welfare recipients. During the project, the original grant seed money of $22,000 grew to more than $220,000 in grants for cooperative programs. In addition, integral, completed linkage treaties were forged between various agencies…

This final report describes the federally funded Parents and Visually Impaired Infants (PAVII) Project, which served 28 families in the San Francisco, California, area. The report describes assessment and intervention materials that the project developed, field tested, and disseminated. It lists the infants' types of visual impairment and…