Congress began funding the Comprehensive School Reform Demonstration (CSRD) program in 1998 to stimulate whole school reform in low-achieving schools. Schools receiving CSRD funding are required to evaluate the reforms implemented and the student results achieved. In response to interest among educators and researchers, a national research…

Vocational rehabilitation agencies throughout the U.S. employed research utilization specialists as part of a national demonstration project. The nature and scope of this program's effort to link rehabilitation practitioners to research and other information is reported, including the RUS's goals, roles, and functions; training provided; skills…

To provide information that will facilitate the exchange of information between states and reduce duplication of effort, this report summarizes information received from State Research Coordinating Units (RCUs) regarding research activities conducted under section 131(b) of part C of the Vocational Education Amendments of 1968. This is the twelfth…

This study reports an attempt to provide research consultation to the staff of an operating manpower project in order to help them initiate and carry out utilization-related activities and, as a by-product of the consultation effort, to add to knowledge about research utilization and suggest ways of helping funding agencies improve their…

This document addresses the first objective of a study to develop criteria to measure the effectiveness of vocational education demonstration projects. An introduction provides background to the project and the issue addressed here, namely the issue of interim and final acceptable evidence of project impact, including the criteria, documentation,…

Part of a special issue on organizational research utilization, this article analyzes two National Institute of Education programs--the Research and Development Utilization Program and the Experimental Schools Program--and finds that a key reason for nonutilization of research is the "policy vacuum" in which research is conducted.…

A study examined the success of the Pennsylvania Department of Education's Exemplary Program Project for Vocational Education in implementing and replicating exemplary vocational education programs, disseminating information about successful programs to local education agencies, and motivating school officials and teachers to develop or replicate…

This document presents case studies of eight demonstration projects selected to assess the practicality and feasibility of a monograph for improving and measuring the impact of vocational education demonstration projects. An introduction provides background of the project that developed that monograph and information on the case studies, including…

The actual impact of research and demonstration projects in vocational education is evaluated. Criteria for a reliable research design are specified regarding sample size, sample selection, control groups, and economic and educational benefit and cost evaluation. The impact of research and demonstration projects is analyzed in the areas of…

A program description and supporting materials of the San Diego County (California) Effective Schools Program are presented. The program involves a three-phase, research-based process for improving effectiveness at the school site. The phases are: assessment, planning, and implementation. Following an overview of the program, the steps involved in…

This report documents the objectives, methodology, and products of a study to develop criteria and standards for measuring the impact of vocational education demonstration projects. Section I provides background and describes the study's purpose and products. Section II summarizes the methodology used to conduct activities. Details of the…

This brief report summarizes the staff development benefits that occurred as a result of teachers participating in the Research and Development Utilization Program (RDU). Surveys of 540 teachers revealed the five most frequently cited staff development benefits to be: (1) learning more about curriculum development; (2) learning more about the…

A study examined state-administered vocational education program improvement projects funded in fiscal year (FY) 1985 under subpart 3, sections 131 (research), 132 (exemplary and innovative), and 133 (curriculum development) of the Education Amendments of 1976 (P.L. 94-482). It was determined that more funds are being obligated for supportive…

The National Diffusion Network is a mechanism for sharing information and resources among education service providers. Three interactive components serve as a linkage in this network: (1) demonstrator-developers, (2) state facilitators, and (3) departments of education. (JN)

This document contains a literature review conducted as part of a study to develop criteria to measure the extent of implementation and the effectiveness of demonstration projects in vocational education. The literature review serves two purposes: it establishes the state of the art in measuring the effectiveness of educational innovations and it…