This guide is addressed to policy officials, program providers, and researchers who are seeking to: (1) identify and implement social programs backed by valid evidence of effectiveness; or (2) sponsor or conduct an evaluation to determine whether a program is effective. The guide provides a brief overview of which studies can produce valid…

Head Start has long focused on assessing and improving program quality to ensure that the children served receive the best possible preparation for school and life. Most research has been focused inside the classroom--the classroom environment, teacher qualifications, and teacher interactions. Of course, the classroom is important because that is…

Social and emotional learning (SEL) involves the processes through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.…

Few social programs have attempted to provide high-risk adults--and, particularly, former prisoners--with mentors. And thus there are few resources that offer practical advice and recommendations for mentoring this population, given its distinct needs, assets and challenges. While much remains to be tested and learned, this manual draws on the…

Children classified as emotionally disturbed constitute a most challenging and expensive population in the public schools. This article presents a tri-part model of barriers to program design, implementation, and evaluation for children classified as emotionally disturbed in public school settings. An examination of the available school-based…

Dramatic changes in the higher education landscape and the recent recession have intensified the challenges students face in postsecondary enrollment and completion. In response, some states, communities, and institutions have developed "postsecondary opportunity programs (POPs)"--comprehensive college access and success programs…

The Center for Adult English Language Acquisition (CAELA) Network, under contract with the Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE), has created a framework that can be used to plan, implement, and evaluate professional development for practitioners working with adult English language learners at the state, regional, and program levels. The…

Guidelines for media-based training that works are presented: tailor your media session to its audience; tell the audience what is important and why; use mental imagery to promote memory; don't overload your audience with information; and relate new facts and ideas to things the audience already knows. (CT)

The article describes the program evaluation requirements as delineated in P.L. 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, and specifies the type of evaluation that is necessary to meet the stated requirements. (Author)

Outlines a three-step process to justify the existence of the guidance program, including writing a job description, logging daily duties, and evaluating the program. (Author/WD)

For a pilot program to succeed, administrators should take the following steps: state the program objectives; keep lines of communication open with school staff; broaden available resources; be clear about expected time demands; see that staff members know the availability and how to handle funds; and take time to review, assess, reflect, and…

This guide provides ideas and suggestions that might assist in the design and implementation of orientation programs for new foreign students at U.S. universities. An introduction discusses the various constraints which hinder the effectiveness of foreign student orientation programs and ways for overcoming those constraints. The second part…

This article presents a five-step, structured format to be used in preparing employers for conducting interviews with disabled applicants. Described in this article is a straightforward, convenient tool that can also be used by rehabilitation personnel when providing awareness training and employer education. (Author)

Suggests factors to be considered in planning a youth services department: (1) the public served; (2) kinds of materials included in the collection; (3) kinds of equipment available; (4) commitment to public service; (5) amenities for public comfort; (6) needs of library staff; and (7) integration of youth services into total library service. (MES)

A self-study of the English-as-a-Second-Language program at the English Language Institute at the Hawaii campus of Brigham Young University is reported. Lessons learned related to customizing guidelines, administrative support; feedback loops, creating implementation plans, including outsiders, etc. (23 references) (LB)