The flexibility federal block grants provide recipients poses challenges for evaluation. These challenges include aggregating data on wide-ranging activities grant recipients implement and the outcomes they achieve. In 2014, we began designing an evaluation to address the challenges of assessing outcomes and to improve outcome accountability for…

Research Findings: In this non-experimental study, the research team analyzed data from a randomly selected sample of child care programs in Maryland and Vermont to understand what characteristics contribute to collaboration success. The team also examined the relationship between collaboration success and measures of child care program quality.…

Our nation's competitive edge is highly dependent on the success of STEM education and the ability of information technology (IT) graduates to find jobs. The School of Information Technology at Illinois State University (ISU) is strategically positioned to offer S-STEM scholarships to talented, financially disadvantaged students in the IT…

This paper describes the development of a partnership between three campuses to develop a (DL) education program-serving employees of county and tribal Health and Human Service Departments in remote rural areas of California. Specifically, the program supports the development of a career pathway for students living in isolated regions of Northern…

This article features the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program at the University of Memphis. The McNair program is named after Ronald E. McNair, the second African-American in space, who died in the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion in 1986. Approximately 200 campuses across the nation host the program. Whereas the program…

Since the initiation of PL 94-142 enacted by the United States Congress in 1975, special education has been mandated, funded and regulated by the federal government. There have been both benefits and drawbacks to this initiative. In positive terms and most importantly, children who require different educational services are identified, and…

After a month of celebrating the largest boost in federal spending on scientific research that most of them have ever seen, university presidents are increasingly tuned to the possibility of a downside. The new money--primarily from a $21.5-billion jump in research-and-development spending in the economic-stimulus law--is certainly welcome,…

A survey of 23 principal investigators of National Science Foundation-funded projects identified the chief facilitating factor to be direct contact with program officers. They had difficulties conceptualizing and envisioning their projects, finding time and confidence for writing proposals, and dealing with the complexity of the guidelines and the…

Results of a survey of the Western Association of Financial Aid Administrators concerning the prevalence and stringency of validation procedures used in 1985-86 are presented, and the impact and effectiveness of federal verification procedures in offices in that region are discussed. (MSE)

In 1981, administration and planning of drug abuse prevention and treatment programs shifted from federal state authorities through the enhancement of the Alcohol, Drug Abuse and Mental Health Services Block Grants. Reviews the funding status of drug prevention under this programmatic change relevant to prevention service programs and prevention…

Describes a study conducted in Indiana to determine the effectiveness of the Division of Instructional Media in administering ESEA Title IV-B in the public schools. Results showing the characteristics of respondents and their degrees of satisfaction are discussed, and recommendations for some minor improvements are presented. References are…

Proposes changes in the Federal Vocational Education Act when it is renewed in fall 1981. Reviews the law's current deficiencies in administration, matching and reporting requirements, and coordination with other federal programs. Develops a model for distributing federal vocational funds and suggests new federal vocational objectives, policies,…

This 10-year followup to an S. M. Davidson and others (1984) study surveyed all 50 states and the District of Columbia to determine the composition and role of state Medicare program Medical Care Advisory Committees (MCACs). Recommendations are given to enable MCACs to be more useful in policy development. (SLD)

In response to criticism of the rise in indirect cost rates and their effect on federally funded research, the methods for calculating and applying indirect costs rates according to the new cost principles applicable to sponsored agreements are examined, and specific criticisms are addressed. (MSE)

A survey of 80 senior research administrators at public doctorate-granting universities investigated the relationship between the institutions' economic development orientation (new business/technology development; capacity building; human resource development; research/analysis/evaluation) and their level of federal research support. Results…