Illinois Shifting Gears is a multilevel initiative that has simultaneously created bridge programs in the field and altered state policy to facilitate the creation of more programs in the future. These efforts have informed each other, giving policymakers the opportunity to interact with practitioners, troubleshoot bridge programs, and make…

This report provides initial results of Illinois' Shifting Gears Initiative that operated between July 1, 2007 and June 30, 2009. This mixed method (qualitative and quantitative) evaluation sought to accomplish three goals: (1) to assess program and student outcomes for two models (adult education and developmental education) for two target groups…

Accessing Curriculum through Technology Tools (ACTTT), a model development project, was developed and tested by staff of the Center for Best Practices in Early Childhood (the Center), a research and development unit within the College of Education and Human Services at Western Illinois University. The major goal of ACTTT was to develop,…

THE PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT WAS TO APPLY CURRENT KNOWLEDGE, METHODS, AND TECHNIQUES IN INDUSTRIAL DESIGN AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT TO REHABILITATING THE HANDICAPPED BY USING THE LABOR FORCE AVAILABLE IN SHELTERED WORKSHOPS AND HOMEBOUND PROGRAMS. DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS WERE ESTABLISHED AS TASK FORCES IN CHICAGO, NEW YORK, AND LOS ANGELES WITH THE…

This report summarizes the efforts of a demonstration project at Prairie Elementary School in Urbana, Illinois to implement individualized reading and mathematics programs and to introduce the systematic application of behavior modification principles in the classroom. It describes the development, implementation, and revision of Individually…

Father involvement enhances children's well-being. A growing body of research supports this conclusion, showing that children with involved fathers exhibit greater school readiness, increased cognitive development, higher levels of empathy, and other positive characteristics (Administration for Children and Families 2004a). Research also indicates…

This document outlines the ideas of the Illinois Department of Aging on the implementation and management of the Elder Abuse and Neglect Intervention Program. These topics are addressed in order to provide a basis for discussion of key elements of the proposed program and serve as a guide in the development of rules, policies, and procedures for…

In order to evaluate the Illinois program for the gifted, a study was conducted in which the Class Activities Questionnaire (CAQ) was administered to 3,138 students in Reimbursement Gifted Classes, Demonstration Gifted Classes and Average (Non Gifted) Classes (grades 6 through 12). The CAQ, which assesses both the cognitive domain (levels of…

Seven model family literacy programs in Illinois were monitored for one year to determine successful program components and characteristics and to assist local programs in developing and implementing practical evaluation systems. Six were networking programs each of which involved several agencies, and one program was designed on a center-based…

Questionnaires were completed by 691 public school personnel visiting demonstration centers operated by the Illinois gifted program in over 20 school districts. Data indicated that the centers, intended to illustrate innovative educational techniques, were generating a good view and acceptance of the overall nature of their programs, but were not…

Project TAPE (Technical Assistance for Postsecondary Education) was a two-year federal demonstration grant to provide technical assistance to personnel serving learning-disabled students in Illinois. The program involved training of support personnel, development and implementation of Specific Intervention Strategy modules, and a system of state…

A 4-phase study was conducted to provide an objective third-party assessment of the effectiveness of research and development (R. & D.) projects supported by the Research and Development Unit (RDU) of the Illinois Division of Vocational and Technical Education. Activities during the four phases consisted of: (1) a preliminary review to obtain…

Describes an alternative method for identifying exemplary practices in early childhood education programs. In this approach, parents and practitioners identify exemplary practices after coming to know the practices and the context in which they operate through observation, interview, and document review. Discusses methodological issues raised by…

This is part of the final report on a project that focused on the inservice training needs of correctional personnel in the Illinois penal system. Most of this volume is devoted to an overview of existing staff training for line personnel and parole agents; an assessment of unmet training needs; group discussion and other demonstration projects in…

As part of Project IMPACT's efforts to develop procedures for complying with the impact requirements of Public Law 94-482, a case study was made of the Illinois Network of Exemplary Occupational Education Programs for Handicapped and Disadvantaged Students. The purpose of the Network was to expand the quantity and quality of special needs…