Total quality management (TQM) is based on the fundamental philosophy that it is always more effective to do something right the first time than it is to correct deficiencies. It seeks to improve quality and increase customer satisfaction by restructuring traditional management and organizational practices. Common characteristics of TQM include…

The process of developing indicators, measures, and standards of program quality can be considered a tiered, four-step process consisting of the following: (1) identification of topic areas important to program quality; (2) establishing the indicators that reflect quality for each area; (3) determining measures of the indicators; and (4) setting a…

As a preliminary to developing criteria to meet quality control requirements of the National Literacy Act of 1991, a study examined federal and state development of measures of program quality and performance standards for programs funded under the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA), the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education…

The Cooperative Demonstration Program (High Technology) was the largest demonstration program supported under the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act of 1984. The program funded projects to try new approaches, to increase access to high-quality programs for special populations, and to improve the overall quality of vocational education. An…

This document contains the text and a section-by-section analysis of the proposed Reemployment Act of 1994, along with President Clinton's message in transmitting the act to Congress. The document reports that job seekers today have a difficult time getting information about jobs and training. The underlying problem is the lack of a coherent…

There are currently more than 150 different federal programs providing some form of employment training assistance. The fragmented system of federal programs creates a variety of problems that hamper attempts to help workers obtain training and find jobs: duplication of services, lack of information on access, multiple administrative entities, and…

This document records the oral and written testimony of persons testifying at Congressional hearings about proposed amendments to change and improve the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) of 1982. Witnesses testifying and/or presenting written testimony at the hearings included several Representatives, the Secretary of Labor (Lynn Martin), and…

This report provides a blueprint for reorganizing the governing structure of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and suggests new procedures of test development and test administration that will increase the interpretability of the assessment while at the same time making more staff and monetary resources available for research…

This study analyzes the extent to which targeting objectives of the Emergency Jobs Programs Extension Act (EJPEA) of the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) programs have been achieved by federal and local officials and the effectiveness of limited-duration projects in providing useful public services. The study deals with the…

This legislators' guide outlines state maternal health programs and strategies and offers states options for improving their maternal and child health services. The introductory chapter 1 is followed by an overview of maternal and child health status in the United States in chapter 2. Costs associated with the failure to provide adequate prenatal…

This document reports the oral and written testimony of witnesses at a Congressional hearing held to review the vocational program and examine H.R. 3053, which would allow the Secretary of Veterans' Affairs to issue exemplary rehabilitation certificates for certain persons discharged from the Armed Forces. Witnesses included Members of Congress,…

This paper provides background information on existing refugee health policy as spelled out in the Refugee Act of 1980, consideration that issues in health and health care have received, and significant program development that has occurred in addressing health care problems. Following the introduction, Section II describes the following: (1)…

This document reviews the range of findings contained in 10 recently commissioned reports on how Chapter 1 programs are implemented and how successful they are in increasing the achievement of disadvantaged students. Although the conclusions of the reports are not the same, there are some developing consensuses. Findings are discussed in the…

Seventeen hearings on the reauthorization of the Adult Education Act were conducted throughout the country by the National Council on Adult Education during fiscal year 1981, according to the Council's annual report. From testimony gathered from adult educators, other human service professionals, clients, elected officials, appointed…

This report of the National Commission for Manpower Policy summarizes the findings and recommendations on Public Service Employment (PSE) along with considering other responses to continuing unemployment. This booklet's content is presented in two sections. Section 1 summarizes the findings and makes twenty-one recommendations pertaining to PSE,…