National evaluation of Head Start bilingual curriculum development project indicated bilingual children receiving bilingual preschool services made greater preschool gains than comparison group children receiving regular English-language preschool services; English-preferring children placed in bilingual classrooms achieved similar preschool…

Discusses how local, state, and national initiatives are addressing the need for improved financial benefits, better training, and greater recognition for science teachers, and for programs to attract more science students. Suggests that physicists and other scientists become involved in various areas of science education in schools. (JN)

This study demonstrates that the Public Service Employment (PSE) program had a significant net job-creation impact in 1978 and 1979. The difference in the estimates for these two years and fiscal 1977 indicate a substantial effect from the changes in the program's design, including tighter eligibility criteria and requirement of a project approach…

A combination of educational strategies for improving physician-health personnel distribution is proposed as a coordinated state level approach. Strategies used in South Carolina are described to exemplify the concept. A unique characteristic is the suggestion that health planners accept and plan for physician turnover in rural areas. (Author/JMD)

The author focuses on some of the research needs for early adolescents (ages 10 to 15). It highlights areas in which federal policy concerns intersect with developmental research, and discusses six areas: social equity, basic skills, school discipline, parent participation, and school effectiveness. (Author/KC)

President Bill Clinton used the declining default rate on college student loans as a basis for proposing tax breaks for college costs. Reduced defaults have saved taxpayer money and helped reduce the federal deficit. Over 150 colleges and universities, including 25 private institutions, risk losing eligibility for federal grant and loan programs…

Summarizes data from a survey of 54 dental schools concerning dental students' financial aid. Data and analyses include percent of students receiving aid; average annual aid per student; average first-year costs of dental school; aid distribution within private, public, and state-related schools; details on federal loan programs; grant and…

Describes new directions and initiatives instituted at the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES) since 1986 to fill data gaps, raise technical standards, and expand staff resources. Discusses implications for educational research and policy. (FMW)

The interaction between state educational reform and curricular services for special needs students, mainly the economically disadvantaged, is discussed in the context of state and federal compensatory education services. Data from eight schools in California suggest that such services can succeed and that excellence and equity can be compatible.…

Suggests that children, as the nation's most precious social resource, are the shared responsibility of parents and government. Argues that current efforts to scale back social welfare programs in Canada need to be reversed, so as to provide children, and families with children, a decent minimum standard of living. (MDM)

Sixteen articles describe the status of program evaluation in the federal government by showing how evaluation is organized in the government. A review of evaluation in the legislative and executive branches is followed by a review of the major organizations producing evaluation work. (SLD)

As part of the Chapter 1 program, the U.S. Department of Education conducts research activities and uses nominations from a variety of sources to identify promising practices and document their success. The department disseminates this information through its award process in the Chapter 1 School Recognition Program. (SLD)

Compares the following four ways of providing additional funds for low-income students: (1) separate programs; (2) districtwide discretionary funding; (3) building-wide funding; and (4) vouchers for low-income families. Disadvantages of each are discussed, and large scale trial of buildingwide funding is recommended. (SLD)

Examines the total direct and indirect effects of receiving financial aid on persistence to degree using a subsample of 1989 freshmen from the Beginning Postsecondary Student Survey. Analysis shows that although simply receiving financial aid is unrelated to persistence, the effects of financial aid on persistence appear to depend on type and…

A study of graduate and professional student within-year persistence, based on the 1993 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study, compared three models of the impact of financial aid on persistence. It was found that financial aid significantly and positively influenced within-year persistence, with comprehensive aid packages having the greatest…