Recommendations are made to Congress and the Department of Education on evaluation of federally supported education programs. The work covers local, state, and federal efforts to address questions about evaluation procedures and practices, and the use of evaluation results. The recommendations are directed toward improving the quality and…

To maximize freedom from personal and political conflicts of interest, decentralized mechanisms of federal program evaluations are needed. Block grants mean that state legislatures and governors will become more responsible for oversight of funds. Three proposals are presented for helping the states deal with these increased evaluation…

A series of articles discusses the importance of summer vocational agricultural education programs in terms of teaching, planning, and evaluation. That agricultural production is a year-round activity and that most of the growing takes place in the summer months are only two reasons to support summer programs. (JOW)

Evaluates the Study Improvement Program, an 11-week program to improve the study skills of college freshmen. Describes selection and training of undergraduate group leaders and outlines goals for each session. Results of a subjective evaluation showed the program was effective in improving grades and reducing dropouts. (Author/JAC)

Public recreation administrators have often created bland recreational settings because of legislation, policies, and lawsuits. It is time to reintroduce the opportunity for adventurous, professionally managed risk experiences. Safe activities which give children a sense of risk are discussed, and points to be considered when organizing such…

Presents results of a survey on the content, organization, staffing, participants, and perceived effectiveness of 14 bidialectal language arts programs (those that use a child's indigenous dialect in the instructional process, usually to demonstrate contrasts with standard English). Suggests that more guidelines for developing and evaluating such…

Discusses various program activities at New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) camps, including environmental workshops which foster exploration, discovery, and skill development. Highlights recreational and evening activities for the one-week camping experience for 12 to 17 year olds. (JN)

An experimental Indian education program allows impoverished primary and secondary school students to earn money producing consumer goods as an adjunct to learning activities while in school. The program's organization and implementation strategy are described, and the social factors determining its success are examined. (AM)

Concludes that greater attention must be paid to program evaluation, differential treatment models must be identified that address sequence of treatment within a semester and across several semesters, and reading research must be reconceptualized along the lines of retention research if college reading instruction is to be effective. (FL)

A series of articles discusses requirements for optimum growth of horticulture education programs. Includes beginning a program, simulating working conditions, the need for mechanical skills, starting a business, and other areas to be considered for a successful horticultural program. (JOW)

The music department of Brigham Young University has placed two sections of a music methods course for elementary education majors in Vineyard School, a public school in Orem, Utah. This article describes the program's rationale, operations, and benefits. (Author/SJL)

Assessed the effects of participation in a Big Sisters' Program. The first part consisted of interviews (N=20) with pairs of Big Sisters-Little Sisters. The second part evaluated program effectiveness experimentally. Findings indicated positive relationships between pairs, and improved behavior of experimental girls versus controls. (RC)

Discusses the Microelectronics Education Programme's work in the communication and information systems domain, suggesting that teachers understanding the new technologies and incorporate them into regular classroom instruction. Focuses on computers in the classroom, economy of time, keyboard skills, life skills, and vocational training. (Author/JN)

Found that senior citizens in a residential setting with in-house nursing services emphasizing health education had significantly greater health knowledge and behaviors than those in residences receiving traditional nursing services. All study participants reported having obtained health information in an individual (rather than a group) setting.…

Describes the Personal Employment Program, a four-week training and development experience that enables CETA participants to secure unsubsidized employment. The last two weeks of the program emphasize job search interactions. The program is successful in finding employment for program completers but has a low completion rate. (AJC)