This project was a response to the changes in the Washington State math assessments for high school students. The creation of an exit exam for Washington State high school students and the expectation that they pass it to graduate has placed tremendous pressure on high schools that struggled with low passing rates on the Washington State math…

The human brain develops rapidly in the first five years of life. High-quality early learning experiences can have a profound and lasting positive effect on young children during these years, setting the stage for success in kindergarten and beyond. This is especially true for young children with high needs who are from low-income families; who…

The federal government and private foundations for education have established postsecondary credential completion as a national imperative. Washington State's Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (I-BEST) model was developed to increase the rate at which basic skills students advance to and succeed in college-level occupational programs,…

In November 1996, forty-five higher education technology leaders convened in Washington, D.C., to discuss the virtual university (VU). The Western Governors Association had announced establishment of the Western Governors University (WGU). As a result, VU initiatives were emerging from, or being contemplated by, almost every state-level higher…

Access to a quality, affordable college education remains a cornerstone of American economic and social development. Individuals from all backgrounds need the knowledge and skills afforded by higher education to compete in an increasingly integrated--and competitive--global economy. Greater educational attainment correlates with many positive…

THE WASHINGTON RESEARCH COORDINATING UNIT (RCU), ORGANIZED IN THE WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION ON JUNE 1, 1965, AIMED TO INITIATE, COORDINATE, AND RELATE VOCATIONAL EDUCATION RESEARCH, ACTIVITIES, AND INFORMATION TO MEET THE VOCATIONAL NEEDS OF THE STATE'S YOUTH. MAJOR PROJECTS CARRIED OUT UNDER CONTRACT BETWEEN THE RCU AND…

The systematic approach used by the state of Washington to humanize education by meeting the computing needs of its community college system is described. A brief sketch of the background of the state's community college system is provided, along with some indications of significant trends at the community college level. The general systems…

This final report of the Washington State Vocational Education Research Coordinating Unit summarizes activities during the period from April 3, 1967 to August 31, 1969. The objectives of the unit were to stimulate, encourage, and coordinate vocational education research activities so that the State might be more effective in meeting the special…

The Washington State Migrant Education Program legally defines migratory children as interstate, intrastate, or formerly migratory. Program goals are intended to serve the legislative mandate that requires establishment of "...programs and projects to meet the special education needs of migratory children of migratory agricultural workers and…

The 1982-83 Team Building/Building Teams Project, developed by the Washington State Sex Equity in Education Program staff, is described in this report. The focus of the project is described as district team-building with building level implementation of the district's identified needs in attaining sex equity in education. Project summaries are…

Representatives of several states met to identify basic elements of a tracking system designed to ensure that disabled and at-risk infants and their families receive continuous and appropriate services to improve health and developmental outcome. Discussants explored six clusters of questions concerning the following: realistic goals and…

Summaries of the design, planning, and implementation of performance funding programs in Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Washington reveal the challenges and opportunities of this reform approach. Performance measures and objectives and the history of the program in each…

New Jersey and Washington have developed novel and different approaches to supporting faculty development by bringing faculty members, including many senior members, together to work on revitalizing the teaching experience. The program models are described, and the reasons they have been effective are explored. (Author/MSE)

A comprehensive study of the vocational education needs, services, and funding in the State of Washington is described and documented in this report. The total study report was issued in two parts. Part One of the study, available in this issue as VT 021 097, summarizes the major findings and presents recommendations for improvement of vocational…