Evaluation of programs at 21 sites, involving 4,410 families participating in the Comprehensive Child Development Program, a two-generation program using case management and home visiting, found no statistically significant impact on program families compared with control families for any assessed domain. Results do not support the effectiveness…

Explains the "circle of friends approach" as one strategy aimed at using peer group support to promote the inclusion of children with autism into mainstream schools. It describes use of the approach with six autistic children in years 3 to 10 of British mainstream schools. Evaluation comments by the circle leaders, circle members, and…

Drug Strategies' updated guide evaluates the 50 most popular U.S. prevention programs. Project ALERT scored high in overall quality, administrative ease, and rehearsal and role plays. Key components include age appropriateness, identification of social pressures, instruction in refusal skills, interactivity, normative education, family…

Evaluation of an on-the-job training model used by the Dutch post office showed it was not entirely successful. Improvement in the performance of mentors and the quality of self-study materials was needed. Mentors must be convinced of the benefit of the model for successful implementation. (SK)

Of the four guides to schoolwide reform models (by Herman and others, Northwest Regional Education Laboratory, Robert Slavin, and Margaret Wang and associates), Herman's volume provides the most detailed, scholarly review. Practical information abounds, but more well-controlled and designed longitudinal studies are essential. (Contains 32…

Review of clinical studies providing empirical data on stress management programs in medical education found that student participants in such programs demonstrated improved immunologic functioning, decreased depression and anxiety, increased spirituality and empathy, enhanced knowledge of alternative therapies, improved knowledge of stress…

Describes the faculty development program at the University of Cincinnati (Ohio), which awarded developmental grant proposals to individual faculty, groups of faculty, and departments over a three-year period. Results of a faculty survey showed the program produced generally positive changes, with both anticipated results (e.g., increased use of…

Used a theory-driven approach to evaluate a gang crime reduction program over 7 years. Data for 237 repeat juvenile offenders admitted to the program indicate a strong relationship between incarceration and gang crime trends and an overall reduction of 47% in gang crime. Discusses implications of the approach for program evaluation. (SLD)

There is little uniformity in content and approach among courses and the research on entrepreneurship remains sparse. A conceptual framework for assessing entrepreneurship education should outline objectives and measures; possible contributions to the economy, business performance, and individuals, and pre- and post-program assessment measures.…

Describes the effects of individualized aquatic exercise programs on people with knee impairments. An adolescent athlete with an acute injury demonstrated significant functional improvement. A 33-year-old with arthritis demonstrated only marginal progress. Comparison of cases relative to valid data collection methods and response to aquatic…

Reports on a group treatment model designed for individuals (N=44) in the predivorce stage of divorcing. Results indicate that the model had meaningful impact on individuals' anger, attachment, and ambivalence, suggesting that group treatment designed specifically for predivorced individuals can be effective in the early stages of divorce. (RJM)

Examines the effects of adding correspondence training to a behavioral skills training package that taught abduction prevention skills to 31 children, ages 4-5 years. Results indicate that correspondence training did not improve correspondence between saying and doing target behaviors. However, both training approaches were equally effective in…

Describes an evaluation of an innovative site-based service program, the Growth and Achievement Program (GAP). Results show that GAP clients had significantly higher gain scores than did the comparison group and were less likely to rely on public financial assistance as their primary source of income. (RJM)

Uses an interdisciplinary policy analysis framework to examine the United States Agency for International Development (AID) program to consolidate democracy in Zambia. Argues that, despite shortcomings, AID has made significant contributions to capacity-building in Zambia's mass media industry, and that it may have succeeded in laying the…

Examined factors affecting the success of a staff-development program in promoting long-term use of cooperative learning. Surveys of teachers who participated in a statewide cooperative-learning staff-development program indicated that three years after the training, most participants used cooperative learning some of the time. Membership on a…