Current nationwide efforts to improve education call for new information for policymakers in testing and evaluation. Recent state and national evaluation activities, including the Department of Education's project to establish statistical indicators for education, are discussed. Guidelines are given for developing reasonable and appropriate…

Surveys the consequences of the United States Supreme Court's recent ruling that public school teachers may not be sent into private schools to provide compensatory services to children under Chapter 1. Reviews alternative responses currently under discussion. (PGD)

Results of evaluation research studies, even those that are meticulously designed and carefully executed, often are not implemented. This article examines some of the critical factors that mediate between the carrying out of evaluation research and the utilization of findings. To illustrate these factors, two case studies are analyzed. (Author/EGS)

Argues that local involvement is critical to the effective implementation of federal and state interests; that major effort is required of institutions seeking to secure mandates to implement federal and state interests; and that institutions should participate in shaping those interests. Presents a four-step process for mobilizing institutional…

Summarizes legislation enacted by the 98th Congress and predicts that past programs that sought equity will largely remain intact. New programs will be those that encourage excellence. (MLF)

The Education Consolidation and Improvement Act (ECIA), which replaced the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, significantly changed the federal government's role in education. The ECIA is part of a program to consolidate and simplify federal programs, cut federal spending, and transfer power to state and local governments. Fiscal,…

Federal education programs increase costs because they attach fewer strings to funds than state or local grants, and this is likely to lead to administrative empire-building. Bureaucracy tends pathologically as it grows to generate more work for itself independent of true administrative needs. Some policy implications are drawn. (MJL)

Outlines how the "cult of efficiency" and the "cult of deficiency" emphasize weakness and have affected American education. Points out that a new "cult of proficiency" emphasizing strengths, not weaknesses, is needed. (MD)

President Ford discusses budget proposals for education, the complexity of federal education programs, and the alarming trend toward citizen apathy about the workings of government. He calls for renewed emphasis on the teaching of social values and the strengths of democracy. (Editor)

A Federally sponsored Small Business Institute in the College of Education at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana Campus was established to provide community college business instructors with opportunities to work on a continuing basis as consultants to small businesses. (Author/EA)

It is unclear what kinds of bilingual programs schools will be mandated to provide and the sources of funding are also unclear. (Author/IRT)

Working with the premise that the progress of a civilization depends on identifying and aiding gifted and creative people, the role of government and private sectors in the education of gifted children is discussed and examples are cited. (BW)

Discusses solar thermal collectors, solar thermal electric power conversion, photovoltaic power conversion, and wind energy conversion, and discusses implications for industrial arts. (TA)

This report details the graduation rates for the class of 2003 for Montana High Schools. Sections include: Montana High School Completion and Graduation Rate Overview, and Montana High School Completion and Graduation Rates, 2002-03 School Year.