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…

A considerable amount of time, effort, and other resources go into the development and implementation of education projects. Quite obviously, the goal is to create effective projects that can serve as models of excellence. Whether the project is an hour-long endangered species talk, a family festival, a severe weather awareness workshop, marine…

When the bell rings at the end of a school day, millions of children are left to their own devices while they wait for their families to return home at the end of the work day. Findings from a study conducted by the Afterschool Alliance, "America After 3PM," show that 15.1 million children are unsupervised when the school day ends. The…

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…

Regardless of where you are in your school improvement process, here's a book that helps you make sure you have all the right elements working for you in the right way. The authors take you through the core processes that are essential for all school improvement efforts--from establishing your mission to differentiating your supervision based on…

Reviewing the importance of a general advisory council, this article presents the major ingredients of a successful advisory committee and actions that can be taken to increase the effectiveness of the council or to help teachers having advisory council problems. (LRA)

Two motivational theories considered particularly useful in administering early childhood programs are discussed, and guidelines for motivating staff, parents, and children are provided. First, the two-factor theory of motivation within organizations, as outlined by Herzberg (1959), is described. Offered in this section are a list of motivators…

The credibility of universities is at stake over the issue of athletics; college and university officers must exercise control. Ten guides to action are presented including: accept responsibility, establish campus rules, reject justification for shoddy practices, and know what is going on. (MLW)

The Program Standards Evaluation System was developed in response to evaluation requirements in the 1973 Rehabilitation Act. The system includes procedures for using standards data to monitor and evaluate vocational rehabilitation (VR) service outcomes and outputs as well as standards on key procedural issues. These guidance materials, volume 3 of…

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)

Lists characteristics of effective performance appraisal interviews noting typical limitations, such as time, to effective training. Offers three suggestions for increasing performance appraisal effectiveness: (1) relate daily performance management to performance appraisal interview, (2) involve subordinates in training for interviews, and (3)…

This manual is intended for use by all involved in dissemination of program improvement products--users, linkers, developers, and funders--in Illinois. Section 1 provides guidelines for content usage by dissemination group and usage of charts, forms, and samples. Section 2, Conceptual Framework, defines dissemination, discusses the dissemination…

Presents guidelines to be used when legislation which would expand existing early childhood programs for young children or create new programs is being considered. The categories for these guidelines include provisions for program standards to ensure quality programs; parental access and involvement; service eligibility; interagency linkages and…

Recent research suggests that principals can improve the content and delivery of staff development programs by selecting practical topics, involving teachers in topic selection and presentation, keeping teachers' experience levels in mind, emphasizing ongoing staff development processes, avoiding lecture-based programs, and encouraging personal…

This document is the fourth volume in a set of five Career Education Measurement Handbooks intended to help local education personnel in measurement and evaluation. Divided into thirteen units, this handbook is designed to show how evaluation can help improve the accountability of career education programs. Each unit is written to stand alone, and…