A study examined Ghana's official response to criticism of university efficiency, a budgeting system intended to reform funding mechanisms. Analysis revealed that the new policy resulted in an input-based model that neglected outcome measures, potentially causing reduced, rather than enhanced, efficiency. Lessons learned and implications for both…

The Texas legislature is pursuing a bill requiring regular post-tenure performance reviews for college faculty, intended to weed out lazy or incompetent professors. Many faculty express concern about the bureaucratic aspects of such a move, and about its effectiveness. Some observers find currently-required annual reviews for pay raises to be…

Describes a survey of 1069 Iowa businesses to determine their needs for workforce training and the role of the state's community colleges in meeting those needs. Presents results related to types of businesses served; employer goals, needs, and ratings of program quality; and the role of technology. (21 citations) (AJL)

Eighteen preschoolers with language impairments who had participated in a highly effective five-month intervention that focused on expressive grammar received an additional five-month intervention. Although participants improved during Phase 2, improvements generally were not as strong as those noted for Phase l. The costly clinician-administered…

Eleven seventh-grade students with mild disabilities in a general language arts classroom participated in a study that examined the effects of an instructional approach based on Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences. Results found the students were more engaged in classroom activities and that eight of the students demonstrated more…

A study evaluated the effects of training 47 teachers of children with autism in the use of the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). Following training, significant, rapid increases were recorded in the level of PECS attained by the students (n=34), in students' PECS vocabulary, and in students' use of PECS. (Contains references.) (CR)

Reviewed research on school-based obesity prevention programs to identify ways to minimize increasing obesity levels. Seven studies showed change in body mass index and differed from those not finding change in three ways: program implementers were not classroom teachers, intervention targeted middle or high schools, and inactivity reduction was…

A study examined 61 examples of advocacy from 34 states and selected six sites for case studies. Factors that supported positive outcomes include advocates who are persistent, knowledgeable about both best practices in gifted education and local state political processes, and more often collaborative than adversarial. (Contains references.)…

Reviews the relationship between phonological awareness and early reading. Follow-up data from a group of 38 first-grade children who had low letter-sound knowledge in kindergarten found that those who received phonological awareness intervention in kindergarten performed better than their first-grade peers on word recognition and reading decoding…

Describes the successes of a cross-curricular environmental education program in England. Keys to success include tapping into networks of local and national contacts, recognition for student projects and competitions which give students confidence and sometimes help fund extra projects, curriculum audits to ensure that all students receive…

Examines the psychological implications of a 20-week group counseling program on the self-esteem of sexually abused female adolescents (N=37). Comparing this group program to individual counseling, results indicate that such group counseling programs seem to be a more effective treatment approach than individual counseling programs of comparable…

Evaluates a cognitive-behavioral school-based group intervention for Mexican American pregnant and parenting adolescent girls. At posttest, the young women who participated in the group intervention had statistically significantly better scores on all outcome measures. The cognitive-behavioral group intervention shows promise as an effective…

This meta-analysis looked at outcomes of school-based interventions aimed at enhancing the self-concept of students with learning disabilities, specifically effect sizes in relation to students' self-concepts prior to the intervention. Results indicated that only students with documented low self-concept benefited significantly from intervention.…

Used meta analysis to synthesize research on the effects of interventions to improve mathematics achievement of students considered at risk for academic failure. Found that effective interventions included providing teachers and students with student performance data; using peer tutors; providing clear, specific feedback to parents on children's…

Examined the impact of a workshop that trained teachers in using problem-based learning to teach health content. Data from a repeated measures quasi-experimental study of participants and nonparticipants indicated that six variables differed significantly between participating and nonparticipating teachers (e.g., ratings of passive student…