This publication, which was funded under provisions of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, is a handbook designed for use by parents and other members of school district advisory committees and target school parent advisory groups. It provides the information needed by parents to become active, effective committee members who…

The major functions of the Operational Plan are the preparation of educational personnel for the schools and research designed to contribute to reform in education. Components of the Plan include a management information system, protocol and training materials, retraining of in-service teachers, interinstitutional cooperation, individualized…

This two-year study is a field network evaluation of the operation of the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) Program in 20 randomly selected states and 40 Service Delivery Areas within those states. Methodology is also discussed. (Author/LMO)

As part of a 5-year evaluation of the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, this study assessed the U.S. Department of Education's (ED) administration of the program. Data were obtained through interviews with ED and other federal officials, institutional surveys, reviews of documents, attendance at meetings and training events, facilitated…

The Migrant Education Program (MEP) is a federal formula grant to states to provide migratory children aged 3-21 with services that address special needs resulting from continual educational disruption. Services can be instructional or supporting, such as social work and health. This report summarizes MEP participation information provided by…

This study examined the institutional satisfaction of approximately 2,250 institutions of higher education participating in the Federal Direct Loan and Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) programs during the 1997-1998 academic year. Among major findings were: (1) both Direct Loan and FFEL institutions were satisfied with their loan programs,…

Property acquired by the Veterans Administration (VA) through defaults on VA-guaranteed home loans is repaired and redecorated under a housing rehabilitation program that also provides valuable vocational training for California secondary students. The student volunteers work under a qualified vocational instructor hired in accordance with a…

Recent research suggests that approximately one-third of homeless single adults suffer from severe mental illnesses. Discusses federal initiatives undertaken by the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH) to encourage research and improve services for this subgroup. Describes the target population, NIMH research findings, and current mental…

Outlines a 10-year program to upgrade the condition of the homeless. Lists general economic and social goals. (FMW)

Describes origins and activities of the Central American Program for Undergraduate Scholarships at the University of Louisville (Kentucky), funded by the United States Information Agency to host talented, financially needy students for upper-division study. The university has been aided by internationalization of the economy, increased immigration…

Notes the accomplishments and deficiencies of Head Start programs as society, and the landscape of social services, have changed since the program's inception. Presents recommendations for programs in the future, including that Head Start expands the number of children served and the scope of services provided and that it forges partnerships with…

Implementation and impact findings from a large evaluation of federally funded dropout prevention programs suggest that alternative middle schools for younger students and GED programs for older students are promising. Striving to understand the nature of academic, social, and personal problems affecting students and tailoring services to address…

For more than 50 years, education professionals have pondered over the phenomenon of failing schools. Despite years of educational reform efforts, America remains "A Nation at Risk" (1983). Towards the turn of the 21st century, America was well into it third attempt to remedy one if its major maladies, scholastic insufficiency. In the…

Federal law requires Pennsylvania, and all other states, to transition to a new calculation method for determining high school graduation rates. Beginning in 2012, using graduation data from the Classes of 2010 and 2011, the "4-Year Cohort Graduation Rate" calculation will replace the "4-Year Leaver Graduation Rate"…