A major challenge for the English-as-a-Second-Language program evaluator is to address the questions posed by those individuals who want the evaluation without compromising academic research standards. Development of a form of "disciplined inquiry" that maintains standards while addressing real-world concerns is discussed. (71 references)…

Describes the learning activities that supplement the physical work of the San Francisco Conservation Corps, including journal writing, vocabulary development, oral discussion, plays, and bilingual exercises. Discusses the philosophy behind the program's integrated approach to work and learning. (SV)

Since 1984 the Pew National Dental Education Program has worked to bring long-term change in the U.S. system of dental education by enhancing individual dental schools' ability to understand the changing health care and higher education environments and assist them in redirecting program policies and budgets in response. (MSE)

Maintains that early childhood professionals in Australia and elsewhere need to: (1) consider their roles in a dynamic community with an uncertain future; (2) make known the purpose of early childhood services; and (3) meet the needs of young children and their families. (BB)

Evidence from health, social services, family support, child care, and pre-school education programs shows that damaging outcomes for at risk youth, and the risk factors that precede them, can be substantially reduced by early intervention. Attributes and examples of effective programs are described. (IAH)

The use of qualitative evaluation methods is explored as a means of overcoming constraints and complexities of evaluation of development programs. A case study demonstrating the application of qualitative analysis to monitoring and evaluation of the Basic Minimum Needs program in Thailand is presented. (SLD)

Using survey data from past participants, an evaluation of the American Council on Education Fellows Program is presented. The study describes the characteristics of the Fellows, tracks their career paths, and summarizes Fellows' and Mentors' assessment of the learning accomplished through the program and its impact on their careers. (Author/MLW)

A review of research on the school consultation process as it relates to handicapped students focuses on issues in case problem solving, establishing and maintaining effective consultant-consultee relationships, and evaluating consultation outcomes. Topics discussed include interpersonal variables, relationship building, managing consultee…

A review of eight studies that focus on physical education curriculums and programs illustrated a variety of research approaches in the areas of curriculum development, collaborative program development, program description, development process description, and program evaluation. (IAH)

The National Diffusion Network was established by the United States Department of Education to disseminate information about effective educational practices and programs. Nine Network-approved programs for gifted education are described, such as "Public and Private School Collaboration,""Critical Analysis and Thinking Skills,"…

Describes the Mount Washington German Magnet School in Kansas City, Missouri, a planned elementary (K-3) school that will provide students with the opportunity to participate in a German-English bilingual program. Parents choose either a total immersion or partial immersion program for students in this public, integrated school. (JL)

Twenty-two articles present ways librarians who work with young people have reached out to the community. Most describe cooperative efforts between schools and public libraries. Other topics include a school read-aloud program, a public library's work with preschoolers, common elements in guidelines for school and public libraries, and management…

Describes a process model that can be used for performance technology and discusses differences between it and an instructional technology process model. Five basic steps are examined: needs assessment/analysis; design; development; implementation; and evaluation. An instructional technology/performance technology process comparison matrix is also…

A case study of the Arthritis Self-Care Project, a rural community intervention in Virginia, demonstrates the importance of process evaluation in determining the actual independent variable. Instances of reinvention uncovered by the study are explored, and suggestions are provided for dealing with the reinvention inevitable in field research. (TJH)

False positive and false negative error rates were studied for competency testing when failing examinees are permitted to retake the test. Formulas are provided for the beta-binomial and Rasch models. Estimates based on these models are compared for six data sets from the South Carolina Basic Skills Assessment Program. (SLD)