Describes the history of early childhood intervention programs. Outlines research results related to the effects of the programs. Discusses the fadeout phenomenon of the graduates of the programs. Presents an introduction of the "Success for All" program in Baltimore. (YP)

State education agency consultants (N=23) and local education agency administrators (N=124) rated criteria used to evaluate the success of programs for behavior-disordered/seriously emotionally disturbed students. Rated most important were student progress in the program, student movement to a less restrictive environment, and student success in…

Reports on observations of the guidance and counseling services offered in nine schools in the San Francisco Unified School District, California. Provides a history of the development of these programs, discusses the role of the counselor, sets forth the expected tasks of the counselor while comparing these with the actual work being performed,…

In developing evaluative methods within the field of mental handicap services, evaluators should be more explicit about values they adopt and about lifestyles that services should be enabling people to achieve. An approach is described for evaluating the "All-Wales Strategy for the Development of Services for Mentally Handicapped…

Initial findings of a longitudinal study of the efficacy of public preschool programs in South Carolina are presented. Two separate research designs were used to study 362 preschoolers in comparison with 1,662 non-preschoolers. School readiness was increased by participation in preschool when a minimum level of quality was maintained. (SLD)

Techniques of cost-effectiveness analysis and their applications to educational policy are discussed. Recommendations are made to increase the capacity of evaluators, policy analysts, and decision makers to use these tools appropriately for resource allocation. (SLD)

The effects of a pull-out enrichment program (Purdue Three-Stage Model) on 10 families of participating students were explored in this retrospective study. Subjects were high school seniors (and their families) who had participated in the program during elementary school. In most cases, the program had a positive influence on both family…

Reports an analytic review of 73 federally funded, college-based substance abuse prevention programs to determine the nature of impact. Most programs did not identify underlying prevention philosophy or theory but did report program purposes and objectives. Most programs reported some degree of institutionalization and significant policy changes.…

The quality of early childhood programs can be assessed from the top down, through the viewpoint of an adult observer, or the bottom up, through the viewpoint of a child in the program. Questions that can be asked from each perspective are listed. (LB)

Compared a classroom-based early intervention program for disabled children and the same program with a parent training-support component. Found a small, immediate effect on child and family functioning and a long-term positive effect on child educational placement and teacher perceptions of child functioning, in favor of the parent involvement…

Compared a center-based early intervention program for disabled children and the same program with a parent training-support component. Found no immediate or long-term benefits in child or family functioning for parent component participants in the first four years of follow-up. Concludes however, that parents should still be involved in…

This article examines the value of teacher mentorship schemes for in-service teacher development, focusing on a specific program for primary teachers in Bhutan. It discusses the benefits of such programs in general, as well as the specific strengths and weaknesses of the Bhutan program. (eight references) (MDM)

Discusses academic support programs for distance education students and describes the results of an evaluation of the orientation program at the University College of Central Queensland (UCCQ). A questionnaire was used to determine the costs of the program, whether student needs were being met, orientation attendance, and needed changes or…

Effective practice reviews (EPRs) are described as used in evaluation studies for the Office of Evaluation and Inspections, a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Examples are given of EPRs in addressing new problems, structuring and improving federal programs, and decreasing costs. (SLD)

Presents results from a two-year study that evaluated an instruction staff development project in the Grand Rapids (Michigan) Public Schools. Findings are presented from classroom observations, teacher interviews, and student tests. The study reveals teacher improvement in their instructional decision making resulting in positive changes in…