Reauthorization of welfare reform legislation has focused attention on the effectiveness of short-term training as a means for welfare recipients to attain self-sufficiency. Its effects on employment and earnings have been one focus of recent evaluations of federal programs. Although some Job Opportunities and Basic Skills programs produced…

This report investigated the financial expenditures of states for services for individuals with developmental disabilities and examined the factors that influenced the level of expenditure. Eight multiple-regression models are presented which explain 70 to 88 percent of the variation in states' total expenditures. In addition to the obvious…

This directory aims to provide useful information for American Indian tribes and Native American communities about programs funded by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) that benefit tribal and other Native American service populations. Included are profiles of ACF programs that tribes and eligible Native American organizations may…

This policy research brief summarizes changes in out-of-home placements of children and youth with mental retardation since the implementation of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) entitlements. Statistics are reported for 1977, 1987, and 1997 to show trends. Statistics were obtained from…

A federally-funded program to train community volunteers in techniques for tutoring students of English as a Second Language (ESL) is reported. The program trained 97 tutors in ESL instruction and 142 in basic literacy teaching. The report describes efforts to recruit and select both volunteers and students, outlines the program's costs, assesses…

This report presents the findings from a 30-month evaluation of the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) Title IV Section 401 Indian and Native American (INA) Program. This specially targeted JTPA program provides employment and training services to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. Most grantees are tribal governments or…

The Arkansas Advanced Placement Incentive Program served as a charter for the establishment, organization, and administration of a program designed to improve the course offerings available to high school students. The act provided three incentives: (1) one-time equipment/materials grants; (2) teacher professional development reimbursements; and…

Education is seen as the key to making minority students insiders in American society. Some existing programs and their features (e.g., CETA, EXCEL, TRIO programs) are examined. Strategies for making support programs more effective by considering the forces of home, school, and work are suggested. (Author/MSE)

The tendency for bilingual education to remain locally-oriented and to resist outside input may impede its success. Unless the efforts to better instructional programs, teacher training, materials development, and evaluation improve soon, no amount of political or legal support may be able to sustain the movement. (Author/SJL)

Examines shortcomings of the traditional high school special education curriculum and highlights a curriculum designed to assist students with mild disabilities in their transition to adulthood. The curriculum emphasizes problem solving and self-advocacy and includes components on daily living, personal/social, occupational exploration, and…

A New York University study compared effects of the Direct Student Loan and Federal Family Education Loan programs on students, families, and campus administrators and of the programs' best practices. Some administrative challenges with dual program participation were found. Reactions to the programs were largely similar and positive, but…

Analysis of the income-contingent repayment mechanism of the federal direct lending program suggests that it will be considerably more expensive than other repayment options in total interest costs for many; lead to hefty tax liabilities for some; be administratively cumbersome, vulnerable to fraud and abuse, and costly to taxpayers; and invite…

Discusses guidelines for providing quality direct services to Head Start families. Suggests that nonjudgmental attitudes, empathy, instruction, reinforcement, shaping, removal of barriers, contracting referral, advocacy, and other helping skills permit effective direct services. Proposes FNA (family needs assessment) as a valuable tool with which…

Describes the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Program (JOBS) which creates education, training, and employment opportunities for those who receive Aid to Families with Dependent Children. Questions the effectiveness for rural areas resulting from: (1) limited employment opportunities; (2) characteristics of the eligible rural population; and…

Case studies describe the changes occurring in a large urban school system following passage of the Hawkins Stafford Amendments allowing the use of Chapter 1 funding in schoolwide projects (SWPs) in schools where 75 percent or more of students are economically disadvantaged. The potential of SWPs is discussed. (SLD)