Purpose: The expansion of alternative education, globally, has coincided with a shift towards greater accountability for ensuring educational access and opportunity, high academic standards and increased graduation rates. While studies suggest the pervasive influence of accountability may be redefining how school leaders provide meaningful…

The article suggests ways to make use of regression discontinuity to plan, implement, and evaluate gifted programs. It outlines how research data can illuminate rather than obscure program decisions. Making efficient use of multiple criteria identification data is discussed along with making program effectiveness decisions without using a control…

Surveyed 25 colleges and universities with counselor education programs. Results provide information on program changes that were initiated while seeking accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).(BH)

A survey of 35 postsecondary institutions with programs for learning-disabled students gathered information on the assessment instruments use to assess learning strengths and weaknesses and determine the presence of a specific learning disability. Results are reported, program characteristics are discussed, and suggestions for improving diagnostic…

Results of a survey of baccalaureate programs for dental hygienists concerning their program structure, objectives, and graduate employment patterns are reported and their implications for program development and research efforts are discussed. (MSE)

A portion of the results of a national academic advising survey are reported. Advising data on 754 programs are analyzed to determine the performance of seven advising models on eight program goals and their perceived effectiveness on 11 program variables. The data also create a context for deeper consideration of the relationship between an…

The study examined the correspondence level between the opinions of 600 Mexican American parents of children in bilingual education classes and 60 Mexican American teachers in bilingual classes. Parents and teachers agreed on rationales for bilingual education programs and disagreed on the operative features of bilingual education in the…

Defines three previously overlooked subpopulations of English proficient students (English superior, equally limited, non-English superior) in terms of their relative proficiency in English and the home language. Presents data and clarifies assessment terms, criteria, and procedures used in relative proficiency assessment. Makes program…

A study of five state colleges and universities investigated the design and impact of administrator evaluation programs. Effects on individual administrators' performance and on organizational performance, as well as positive and negative program characteristics, are examined. (MSE)

This article discusses strategies for encouraging children with and without disabilities to have fun together and learn with computers, the rationale and benefits of inclusive computer play, and the outcomes of a study in which children engaged in inclusive computer play. Recommendations for materials, grouping, and scheduling are provided.…

The single greatest issue facing American education today is how to improve the education of low achievers and other students at risk of school failure. Currently, elementary school students who have fallen behind academically are placed into special classes designed to eliminate those deficiencies. Students meet in a small group with either a…

Church-based programs for caregivers of black elders have emerged from both demographic and cultural factors. To investigate the effectiveness of a training program for caregivers of noninstitutionalized elders, 95 Washington, D.C. adults (99% black, 87% female), who were providing caregiving assistance to an older adult, completed a 12-hour…

The application of an educational planning model designed for involving a representative sample of school patrons in decision making is described with reference to the case of Gilbert, Arizona. The article focuses on the first of the model's three phases: prioritizing goals, curriculum development, and program design and evaluation. (MJL)

This study investigated the degree to which the flexible design of an adult literacy program provided for efficient, effective, and satisfying teacher behavior within the social system of the providing organization. The program was a collaboration of junior high school, business community, community college, and federal agencies intended to…

Community-based educational programs for older adults are difficult to evaluate due to randomization and control factors. In order to investigate, under a quasi-experimental research design, the contribution of an educational program on retirement issues to participants' quality of life, and to study the program enrollment patterns, 21 people…