Begun in October 1972 as a result and demonstration project, the Alternative to Foster Care Program (ATFCP) grew out of the concern in the Seattle American Indian community over the separation of Indian parents from their children in foster care. ATFCP was to explore the development of means by which Native American families, faced with the threat…

Using Ohio as a case study, this paper explores what can be learned from state data systems about spending on special education. The analyses and discussion in this paper use data sets for the 1995-96 school year provided by the Ohio Department of Education. The case study examined factors that need to be considered in measuring special education…

Experiences in systems-development for state information systems are summarized for eight pilot-test state agencies, as part of the State Level Information Base project. Attention is directed to the evaluation of information needs; hardware and software choices; survey administration; data organization, storage, and linkages; and staffing…

Experiences of pilot-test state agencies in developing an information system are summarized, as part of the State Level Information Base project. The background and functions of each of the eight pilot-test state agencies are described, along with the information systems approach, and planning responsibilities (comprehensive planning, budgeting,…

Efforts of the U.S. Department of Education to verify data submitted by applicants to the Pell Grant program were analyzed by the General Accounting Office. The effects of carrying out the Department's policy or methodology, called "validation," on financial aid applicants and colleges were assessed. Costs of 1982-1983 validation on…

Common factors among high-performing distance learning (DL) programs were examined through case studies at 9 further education colleges and 2 nonsector organizations in the United Kingdom and a backup survey of a sample of 50 distance learners at 5 of the colleges. The study methodology incorporated numerous principles of process benchmarking. The…

The return on investment (ROI) obtained by enterprises that invest in training was examined through case studies of seven Australian work organizations. The case study organizations included a government-owned transportation company, a privately owned company, a major nongovernmental charitable organization, a publicly listed corporation, and two…