In this landmark volume, Greg J. Duncan and Richard J. Murnane lay out a meticulously researched case showing how--in a time of spiraling inequality--strategically targeted interventions and supports can help schools significantly improve the life chances of low-income children. The authors offer a brilliant synthesis of recent research on…

Research on staff development in rural and non-rural settings provides guidelines for effective practice. Research on rural staff development, however, must be increased and become more systematic and focused. (JD)

A survey of literature dealing with inservice training for teachers was conducted to identify the kinds of inservice education used most frequently, and most commonly stated guidelines for producing effective programs. Results are discussed. (DF)

Discusses the evaluation of library reference service; examines problems with past evaluations, including the lack of long-term planning and a systems perspective; and suggests a method for continuously monitoring and improving reference service using quality improvement tools such as checklists, cause and effect diagrams, Pareto charts, and…

This paper reviews the various recommendations for improving teacher education in the United States and compares them to educational conditions in Oregon. Recommendations are made to the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission in four areas: supply of new teachers, assurance of quality of teacher candidates, induction of new teachers…

Preservice teacher education curriculum and instruction were surveyed to reveal the state of the art, to identify issues and problems, and to submit suggestions for improvement. Part I, "The Teacher Education Curriculum," presents an overview of current practice in the preservice curriculum. It considers both the general and professional education…

Examines benefits of three models for evaluating outdoor adventure programs: program monitoring with debriefings and check-offs; experimental evaluation; and qualitative, naturalistic observation. Illustrates and compares approaches using California 4-H adventure ropes course. Examines data's specificity, assumptions, ambiguities, and followup.…

Describes and reviews the Dutch National Action Programme (NAP) on Foreign Languages, instituted in anticipation of the demands of the 1992 Single European Market. The increasing demand for foreign languages is confirmed, some shortcomings of the current program regarding French and German language learning are identified, and recommendations for…

This report reviews key issues and problems addressed at a national conference on transportation for the elderly and handicapped. The first section presents an executive summary, which details the following major problems (identified in the seven general sessions and four workshops): the need for more coordination of funding sources; better…

Prepared as part of a program to develop both a system to assess information needs of teacher education decision makers and impact strategies to increase the probability that teacher educators will make appropriate use of research and development findings and products, this document reports on the literature review that led to the initial…

The demand for family foster care services has increased rapidly during the past decade, as has the number of special needs children requiring foster care. This monograph presents information collected over the past 20 years concerning policies and programs which have been used to retain and recruit foster parents. The ever-increasing need for…

Describes cooperation between the national libraries of Europe on access to electronic publications, and outlines reasons why it has been necessary to act at a European level to improve library services. Highlights include the European Union, research and development, Telematics for Libraries activities, national policies, and future…

Discusses how to improve library reference service, especially the effective delivery of accurate answers, based on a program at Wichita State University (Kansas) that used concepts of quality from business and organizational management. Topics addressed include customers and customer service, and methods of reference service evaluation. (Contains…

The Albuquerque Office of the Comprehensive Employment and Training Administration (OCETA) contracted with the Albuquerque Urban Observatory to conduct a study of employability skills needed by OCETA participants, to identify training programs that might be available to teach these skills, and to suggest a new model for OCETA job preparation…

This document is the second volume of a three-volume state-of-the-art report based on a study conducted to identify and analyze the effective mechanisms for facilitating coordination of vocational education programs with Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) Title IV youth programs. Included in this volume is a distillation of…