This article draws on previously employed methods for conducting fidelity studies and applies them to an evaluation of an unprescribed intervention. We document the process of assessing the fidelity of implementation of the Math Recovery first-grade tutoring program, an unprescribed, diagnostic intervention. We describe how we drew on recent…

The purpose of this paper is to support school professionals in their work with parents as they meet IDEA (2004) requirements during IEP meetings. The authors share tools to help recognize when IDEA principles are violated and provide alternative responses that school professionals and parents can offer. Definitions and brief explanations of the…

Good evaluation requires that evaluation efforts themselves be evaluated. Many things can and often do go wrong in evaluation work. Accordingly, it is necessary to check evaluations for problems such as bias, technical error, administrative difficulties, and misuse. Such checks are needed both to improve ongoing evaluation activities and to assess…

Description and explanation are frequently given precedence over validation when evaluating distance-learning technologies. Evaluation criteria can be categorized into technical, instructional, organizational, and ethical components. Descriptive and explanatory methods include participant observation, interviews, focus groups, document review,…

Intended for school administrators and regular classroom teachers, the document presents guidelines for working with visually impaired students being integrated into regular classes. Included is a description of the special education program in Illinois. Sections cover the following topics: identification and referral of visually impaired…

This publication is intended to help improve the educational planning and evaluation practices of the several hundred small- to medium-sized Wisconsin school districts that do not have a centralized planning staff. Although it was prepared specifically for school districts in Wisconsin, its content is just as useful and applicable to districts in…

Provided primarily for regular class teachers and administrators is information on mainstreaming hearing impaired students. Reasons behind the movement toward regular class placement of hearing impaired pupils are noted and two basic views as to how it should be done are identified. Defined are relevant terms such as mainstreaming, hearing aid,…

This is a collection of school improvement materials from the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory (NREL) school improvement research series. A topical synthesis, two "close-ups," and four "snapshots" focus on core aspects of early childhood education (ECE) and elementary education. The topical synthesis examines: (1) what…

Discusses the roots, definition, applications, and development of educational technology; educational problems which could be addressed by educational technology; and educational technology applications and reasons for their successes and failures. Guidelines for successful implementation of educational technology programs are outlined. (MBR)

This paper sets forth a definition and operational description of a developmental program that should be of use as a guide, especially to Virginia's teachers and administrators. Also included in the paper are kindergarten curriculum objectives in the areas of language arts, mathematics, science, art, social studies, family life, health, mental…

This is the fourth monograph in the admissions models series. Based on discussions at a June 2004 conference and conversations with numerous admissions experts, this publication describes different approaches to individualized review and covers topics such as standardizing elements of the application, reader training and guidelines, consistency…

Since 1966, Mississippi's participation in the National Migrant Education Program (NMEP), funded by Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, has grown to serve approximately 8,000 eligible students through 20 programs during the 1978-79 school year. This report reviews the organization of the NMEP, emphasizing the definition of…

Because it is based on the premise that learning is a lifelong process and that citizen participation is essential to neighborhood problem solving, community education is particularly attuned to the current needs of cities and can be an effective means for meeting the resettlement needs of immigrants and refugees, as well as for expanding local…

This document highlights the practices of companies in rural areas that have successfully connected workplace experiences to classroom learning through school-to-careers partnerships. First, the following fundamental components of school-to-careers are explained: school-based learning; work-based learning; and connecting activities. The next…

Because it is based on the premise that learning is a lifelong process and that citizen involvement is essential to neighborhood problem solving, community education is particularly attuned to the current needs of cities and can be a major vehicle for cities attempting to provide convenient, comprehensive health services in an efficient,…