To help state educational agencies (SEAs) learn about and adapt best practices that exist in other SEAs and other organizations, the Building State Capacity and Productivity Center (BSCP Center) working closely with the Regional Comprehensive Centers will create multi-state groups, through a "Collaborative Benchmarking Best Practices Process" that…

This review of the current status of program evaluation in vocational rehabilitation focuses on: (1) describing current motivation for conducting program evaluation in state rehabilitation agencies; (2) identifying the current status of program evaluation in state agencies; (3) reviewing existing program evaluation models; and (4) defining…

This report summarizes key findings from the literature on effective developmental education practice. It is designed to promote discussion among community college educators and state agency staff in Connecticut as they consider how to improve outcomes for their many students who are academically unprepared to succeed in college. One common theme…

Presents the results of telephone interviews, self-questionnaires, and site visits of 48 state child protective service offices regarding policies, procedures and protocols for handling complaints of abuse and neglect in children's institutions. Institutional child protection is seen as a relatively unformed appendage of interfamiliar child…

The Advisory Council reviews the administration of programs funded under Title V of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to strengthen State departments of education, and makes recommendations for the future development of State educational agencies through comprehensive educational planning. Topics covered include (1) staffing…

Objectives of a project conducted by the New Hampshire Educational Facilitator Center were (1) to assist the vocational education community in becoming more aware of model programs available in the National Diffusion Network (NDN); (2) to make the adaptation and replication of existing proven models a viable means of program improvement in…

The level of basic education skills among Nevada's adult work force and the effects of workers' basic skill levels on Nevada businesses were examined in a 1994 survey of 2,021 Nevada businesses employing 10 or more workers. Of the 1,163 businesses responding, 696 reported having 1 or more unskilled employees during May 1994. Of those 696…

State and local agencies must work to provide appropriately designed vocational education programs to vocational students in order to help them become self-sufficient in living and working. In view of the employment potential of disabled people and the legal and economic reasons for facilitating their access to employment-related programs, state…

The Florida State Advisory Council on Vocational Education funded a study to determine the extent to which programs involved in vocational training represent a consistent, integrated, and coordinated approach to meeting vocational education, employment, and training needs of Florida, and to determine present and emerging patterns of governance of…

Presents a case study of the development of kinship care policy in Illinois due to court decisions regarding the provision of financial support to relatives acting as foster parents. Compares recent reform of kinship care policies in Illinois with welfare reform efforts across the country and their national implications. (SD)

This report summarizes the activities conducted in 1994 in relation to the 23 recommendations included in Ohio's Action Agenda for Adult Literacy. The recommendations are grouped into the following categories: coordination/collaboration, public awareness, research, program resources and support, advocacy/funding, and accountability. Some of the…

If early childhood systems are to be effective at the population level then they must be able to provide family-centered care to all the racial, ethnic and cultural groups that they serve. Despite major policy driven and technological advances in healthcare, health disparities across different races and ethnicities persist. For example, the infant…

The New York State Board of Regents conducted a formal review of the long-range goals and policy directions for vocational rehabilitative services to disabled youth and adults in New York. The first phase of the review consisted of an examination of major pieces of vocational and special education legislation, current federal and state economic…