This publication describes the 62 projects that received 5-year Technology Innovation Challenge Grants beginning in 1995, 1996, and 1997, with reviews of the projects occurring in late 1999 and early 2000. Part 1 of the report describes the Technology Innovation Challenge Grant (TICG) program and its importance. Part 2 contains the project…

This mandated report to Congress describes the background and purposes of a national study of Head Start impact, the progress of the study, current activities to conduct a field test and prepare for the main study, and the projected timeline for study completion. The report notes that in 2000, a contract was awarded to determine on a national…

The federal Comprehensive School Reform Demonstration (CSRD) program provides incentives for high-poverty schools to pursue reform. In fiscal years 1998-99, $120 million, or 83 percent of total CSRD funds, was made available to states to target Title I schools serving disadvantaged students. Of the 1,748 schools participating in CSRD, over 85…

This paper has two main purposes: (1) to test the central thesis of systemic reform; and (2) to derive lessons about strengths and weaknesses of reform strategies used in policy and practice. It does this by a secondary analysis of case studies of nine Statewide Systemic Initiatives (SSIs) funded by the National Science Foundation. The case…

Data from the 1997 National Survey of America's Families (NSAF) are analyzed to estimate the number and composition of children lacking health insurance prior to the implementation of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The NSAF is a survey of children and adults under the age of 65 in more than 44,000 households, conducted as…

This issue brief presents data illustrating the diversity across federal agency support in the science and engineering fields as emphasized in their funding of both academic research and science and engineering graduate students. Funding data show that changes in the balance of academic research funding across agencies are likely to affect both…

This report presents the results of the Follow-up Public School Survey on Education Reform, which examined the implementation of the key provisions in the reauthorized Title I Act. The survey is one of many national assessments of Title I and was adapted from the Public School Survey on Education Reform. The instrument was administered to a…

Expanding upon ideas presented in the report, "Start Early, Finish Strong: How to Help Every Child Become a Reader," this collection highlights projects, proposals, and programs that help all children become good readers. Chapter 1 describes 18 federal initiatives and programs; and chapter 2 presents excerpts from 16 State of the State addresses…

Noting the importance of good nutrition to out-of-school time programs serving children, this strategy brief provides an overview of the major sources of federal food and nutrition funds that can support out-of-school time and community school programs. The brief then highlights five strategies that community leaders and program developers can…

This guide provides the basic facts about subsidized Federal Direct Stafford/Ford Loans (Direct Subsidized Loans) and Federal Direct Unsubsidized Staff/Ford Loans (Direct Unsubsidized Loans) and explains the borrower's rights and responsibilities. It contains tips to help the borrower develop a budget for managing education expenses and financial…

This directory provides brief descriptions and contact information for indigenous education resources in four Western states: Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah. The first section lists national associations, organizations, clearinghouses, and centers concerned with American Indian education and based in one of the four states. Sections on each…

This booklet examines the Qualified Zone Academy Bonds (QZABs) system for helping school districts carry out needed school renovations and repairs, discusses why QZABs are good ideas for school districts, highlights eligibility criteria, and provides basic funding information along with state allocations for 1998 through 2000. A school deputy…

This directory lists all projects funded by the National Institute of Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) during the 1999 fiscal year. It includes summaries, funding data, and contact information for a broad range of programs. Programs are grouped into the following research priorities: (1) employment outcomes; (2) health and function;…

Data are not available that will give more than a partial idea of the extent to which work in agriculture is a part of the program of secondary education in this country. The 1922 report of the Federal Board for Vocational Education contains the most complete information available regarding instruction in vocational agriculture. Vocational…

This article identifies: (1) programs designed to remove barriers keeping minority groups from entering health occupational training programs; (2) fourteen institutions designing or offering this kind of curriculum; and (3) Federal programs which have offered sources of funding to institutions wishing to engage in activities to increase minority…