This article describes an independent assessment of the Fast ForWord Language computer-based training program developed by Scientific Learning Corporation. Previous laboratory research involving children with language-based learning impairments showed strong effects on their abilities to recognize brief and fast sequences of nonspeech and speech…

Based on experiences of the American Institutes for Research in conducting evaluability assessment (EA), common problems include: finding client programs, balancing standardization and flexibility needs, satisfying two clients, maintaining schedules, and demise of client programs. Their successes include: surmounting bureaucratic complications,…

Longitudinal research demonstrates that: (1) initial consensual goals are formalized incrementally over time; (2) directions of these changes are influenced by constituencies participating in policy formation as well as broader social movements; and (3) evidence for longitudinal implementation studies needs to be garnered from a confluence of…

A unifying theory for planned change is presented and applied to the problem of assessing program implementation. A procedure for defining educational treatments in replicable terms is described. (Author/CM)

An outline and example of a field-based program implementation evaluation model and rating scale are described. Teacher, parent, and other influences on the implementation level of the program are discussed. Multiple measures are provided as sources of implementation data. (CM)

Important past research on the state role, particularly that of state education agencies, in making and implementing educational policy is reviewed and assessed. Gaps in research and current issues are identified, and suggestions are offered for the future. (RL)

An intergovernment program implementation framework is shown to be strongly affected by the way federal expectations and administrative actions interact with the state and local education agency programs. They can influence the components of categories of implementation factors, process variables, and the agency role orientations. (CM)

A multilevel analysis strategy developed by Leigh Burstein termed slopes-as-outcomes provides a means to address questions concerning equity in educational research. This potential strategy for studying differences in program implementation relates to differences in program effectiveness across sites. (SLD)

The results of an evaluation of the effects of the Emergency School Aid Act (ESAA) on student intergroup relations and affect in desegregated schools are reported. The three phases of the study described the human relations services funded under ESAA, effects of these services, and processes associated with their success. (BW)

Local implementation responses to the Utah teacher career ladder program (CLP) initiated in 1983 were assessed using previously collected data. Circumstances/conditions under which schools implement CLPs in accordance with state policy were studied. Local implementations of the program are classified into four modes: pro forma; programmatic;…

Using multilevel methods to analyze data from 710 household heads in 45 Detroit (Michigan) area school districts, results show that minority and disadvantaged respondents, especially from the city, favor parental school choice. Potential effects of an interdistrict choice plan are discussed, suggesting that choice might favor inequities. (SLD)

Explores the role of Chicago's (Illinois) philanthropic foundations in the development, passage, and early implementation of the Chicago School Reform Act of 1988. Although foundations played a small role in passage of the act, they became vital to its implementation. Proposes principles for foundations involved in education reform policy. (SLD)

This article presents findings from a 4-year study of 13 culturally and linguistically diverse elementary schools implementing comprehensive school reform (CSR) models. The study focused on: (a) the actions at the state and district levels that facilitated or inhibited reform implementation; (b) the adaptability of the various reforms in…