Discussion of a survey on non-governmental organizations involved in community-based rehabilitation for people with disabilities focuses on differences between collaboration in industrialized and less developed countries; resource dependency; and structural characteristics of organizations that influence their interactions. The limited public…

Explores the effects of a pre-trial diversion program for misdemeanor offenders (N=243). Results indicate that successful completion of the program significantly reduced recidivism among first-time offenders. Nine percent of those completing had further contact with the courts, compared to 39 percent who failed to complete the program. (RJM)

Outlines the rationale for promoting comprehensive development in troubled communities. Argues that such approaches employ strategies that address the social, physical, and economic needs and circumstances of community residents. Looks at historical and current approaches and examines the experience of the Ford Foundation's Neighborhood and Family…

A student satisfaction survey in a British college used input from the student charter and delivered questionnaires on paper at one campus (289 responses) and through an intranet at another (71 responses). Issues identified were embedded in the college's quality framework. (SK)

Describes a successful program that introduced Japanese language and culture to children in Kansas. End of program survey results revealed that students, parents, and facilitators were overwhelmingly positive about the program. (Author/VWL)

Describes the use of transformative learning theory to evaluate a family-empowerment project focusing on life skills (N=34). Results reveal evidence of transformative learning outcomes such as an empowered sense of self and new connections with others. Participants also spoke of factors built into the program designed to foster transformative…

Describes an effort among independent colleges to collaborate on administrative support, the WAICU Collaboration Project (named for the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities). Asserting that such an approach allows independent schools to maintain their fiscal health and independence, discusses the program's history and…

Describes how Temple University ended Virtual Temple, its for-profit distance education effort, saying that such companies cannot make money. However, universities with similar programs--such as Columbia, Cornell, New York University, and the University of Maryland--disagree. (EV)

Describes how the business school at Australia's Curtin University of Technology has identified a set of generic skills to be taught to all undergraduates and begun implementing a project to teach and assess the skills in the context of each discipline. Discusses the project's measures of effectiveness and lessons learned to date. (EV)

To help students compete in a global economy, American teachers must begin teaching children a second language at an early age. Describes the advantages of learning a second language at the elementary school level, highlighting three currently-used language programs (immersion, Foreign Language in the Elementary Schools, and Foreign Language…

Examples of creative programming to meet community needs in State College, Pennsylvania, are described: summer arts and crafts for K-6, intensive English courses for Russian refugees, brown-bag parent education seminars for employees of a local business, and a summer reading initiative. (SK)

Asserting that college union and student activities administrators can become more effective in reaching their desired outcomes by conducting environmental assessment, this article provides a comprehensive plan to conduct such an assessment. Discusses defining the purpose; getting to know the audience, its satisfaction level, and its needs;…

Discusses methods for evaluating the return on investment of training. Compares the effectiveness of electronic learning and traditional methods and suggests that measuring hard numbers might not be a true indicator. (JOW)

Offers a critical commentary on theory-based evaluation, stressing its utility as a method of program planning and as an adjunct to experiments but rejecting it as an alternative to experiments. Cites seven reasons for doubting that theory-based evaluations can provide the valid conclusions about a program's causal effects that proponents have…

Describes collaborative efforts of the National Career Development Association, National Occupational Information Coordinating Committee, and Career Development Training Institute at Oakland University which resulted in the emergence and recognition of the important role of career development facilitators (CDGs). Summarized development of CDG…