Building the research capacity of the vocational education and training (VET) sector is a key concern for the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER). To assist with this objective, NCVER supports an academic scholarship program, whereby VET practitioners are sponsored to undertake university study at honours', master's or…

The National Service (NS) program links financial assistance for education to community service. Four issues of primary concern arise as policymakers and program planners move from the program's concept to the fine points of its design and implementation: (1) achieving balance among the program's conflicting goals; (2) expanding educational…

The Quantum Opportunities Program (QOP) is an innovative 4-year year-round pilot program that provides learning opportunities, development opportunities, service opportunities, and summer jobs to small groups of youth from families receiving public assistance. In 1994, the Ford Foundation commissioned an evaluation of the QOP. Between 1989 and…

Concept mapping is a structured conceptualization that can be used by groups to develop a conceptual framework that guides evaluation or planning. Twelve papers discuss concept mapping in evaluation/planning in terms of theory development; measurement, construct validity, and pattern matching; outcome assessment and internal validity;…

Success Connection was an 18-month program aimed at promoting self-sufficiency among high-risk youth ages 16-22 in Yakima Valley, Washington. Self-sufficiency was defined as being employed, having improved educational goals, and not requiring public assistance. The program was a collaborative effort among the Yakima Valley Opportunities…

During the summer of 1995 a group of educators in Milwaukee (Wisconsin) created an innovative program, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) Summer Institute on Nonviolence, to help young people learn alternatives to violent behavior. The program was designed to train peer leaders in nonviolence so they could return to their schools and…

The purpose of this paper is to provide the background and objectives of an evaluation study of Upward Bound (UB), a nationwide program to help selected low income high school students prepare for and enter post secondary education. The primary aim of the study is to evaluate the accomplishment of two of the program's major objectives, to increase…

Published evaluation reports about educational intervention programs sponsored by Israel's Project Renewal are summarized and analyzed in this report. The programs reported on fall into the following categories: (1) intervention programs aimed at the family; (2) curriculum-based intervention programs; (3) school-related enrichment programs; (4)…

This volume consists of a total of 138 abstracts of documents dealing with youth and educational programs for youth. Included in the volume are 55 abstracts of documents dealing with social and educational developments and 83 abstracts of program reports, reviews, and evaluations. Abstracts are grouped according to the following subject areas:…

Eleven articles highlight successful youth programs in health, physical education, and recreation, examining partnerships between schools, community agencies, and parks and recreation departments. The articles discuss issues of program evaluation, cultural diversity, inner city programs, skating, interagency collaboration, partnerships in…