Reviews several areas of marital and family enrichment: methodology and interpretation; subject characteristics and populations; format, composition, process, and leadership; component effectiveness comparisons; and program effectiveness comparisons. For each area, briefly summarizes major research contributions of the 1980s and offers…

Evaluated intergenerational program bringing together older people and adolescents to examine assumptions underlying such programing and to determine attitude changes among participants. Only attitude change observed was in adolescents who helped older people showing more enjoyment in being with older people, decreased social distance, and more…

Conducted series of investigations to assess the impact of a comprehensive multicultural training model among different groups of graduate students. Preliminary results indicated that future counselors perceived their multicultural counseling training to be beneficial regardless of their cultural background or diversity in their geographical…

An effective service learning program (1) engages people in responsible, challenging actions; (2) articulates clear service and learning goals; (3) allows those with needs to define those needs; (4) expects genuine, sustained commitment; (5) includes training, supervision, monitoring, support, recognition, and evaluation; and (6) encourages…

Evaluated effectiveness of systematic skills training program for stepfamily parents with 34 stepfamilies. Results indicated trained parents increased desirable responses and became more verbally responsive. Children identified positive changes in relationship with parents. (ABL)

Surveys recent research findings on drug education programs in the United States. Notes that findings have been somewhat contradictory but that pattern of encouraging results seems to favor prevention programs that focus on resistance training. Results were complimentary of Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) and Student Assistance Program…

Assesses Wisconsin's experience with Learnfare, a controversial policy that ties Aid to Families with Dependent Children payments to school attendance of children in recipient families. Argues that regulated redistribution programs demonstrate the extremely complex relationship between policy theory and the design of administrative procedures.…

Review of the history of mandatory continuing education shows that it has increased the variety, quality, and number of programs; it increases participant knowledge but has not been proven to ensure competence. Only one-third of states require continuing education for physical therapy relicensing. (SK)

Describes Urban Home program, a short but successful program for troubled youths, which, although successful in treatment goals, was, a result of administrative changes and bureaucratic needs, so restructured it became something totally different and unrecognizable. Concludes this example of change for its own sake, of constant redeployment of…

Research and evaluation are tools that can help validate experiential education practice and provide a better understanding of it. Defines types of research and evaluation and discusses the benefits of these activities. Reasons for conducting research include (1) gaining support and credibility; (2) program improvement; and (3) marketing. (KS)

Although each higher education institutional research office has a unique style and mission, their commonalities suggest guidelines for establishing effective units, including placement high in the organizational structure, consistent attention given to first-order data responsibilities (collection, reporting), attention to institutional needs, a…

Presents interview with David Jarmusz, a Chicago (Illinois) police officer who specializes in gang activity. Jarmusz describes the Chicago Police Department's gang units program and gang specialist detectives, discusses goals and objectives, activities of the program, and outcomes of the project. (NB)

Results of a follow-up study of older adults (n=27) who one year earlier had participated in relaxation training to cope with tension and anxiety supported the efficacy of relaxation training for elderly persons with subjective anxiety. (Author/NB)

Describes IMPACT (Insight, Motivation, Progress, Assessment, Counseling, Treatment), successful intervention approach for repeat impaired driving offenders. Explains intensive, residential, weekend experience in which program participants examine their alcohol- and drug-related behaviors. Notes that, through interaction with peers, participants…

Uses an analysis based on the work of M. Foucault to explore the nature and practice of disciplinary power in the context of higher education in the United Kingdom (U.K.), focusing on the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) undertaken by the U.K. Higher Education Funding Councils. The lack of impact of the RAE is examined. (SLD)