Research Findings: Integrated services for young children and families are part of the new policy landscape in early childhood, but there is limited evidence of the effectiveness of these programs and how they develop on the ground. This study examined the use of the Early Development Instrument (EDI) as both a summative program evaluation tool…

"Sounds of Learning: The Impact of Music Education" is a research program designed to allow researchers to examine the roles of music education in the lives of school-aged children to expand the understanding of music's role in a quality education. The NAMM Foundation, the sponsoring organization, has provided more than $1,000,000 to fund research…

In recent years, student interest in civic engagement has resulted in increased opportunities to volunteer on college campuses across the country. Unfortunately, these efforts are often not supported by or coordinated with academic curricula, and, as a result, their benefits can be short-lived. Despite a growing consensus that civic education…

This book presents the results of an extended study of service integration efforts in Colorado, Florida, Indiana, and Oregon, highlighting the nature of existing service integration and the potential of systemic reform efforts. The first part of the book examines the range and complexity of current service integration efforts, offers a definition…

An evaluation was made of secondary and postsecondary vocational-technical education in North Dakota to review progress since the passage of Public Law 101-392 in that state. Some of the findings of the postsecondary evaluation are the following: (1) between 1991 and 1993, a unique statewide tech prep initiative was begun and is in its second…

The Bryan Independent School District's (Texas) Parent Education Partnership Program (PEPP) is designed to "empower all families through information, training, and support to enhance the parent-child relationship within the context of the home, school, and community to assure healthy, productive members of society." The 1994-1995 program…

This is a checklist for use by science coordinators, school principals, science supervisors, and teachers in identifying strengths and weaknesses of science programs in grades five through eight. It can also be used by science coordinators during school visits. This guide contains space for recording information concerning: school name and…

Brokering Rural AGE was a 17-month collaborative project for the development of gerontological curricula, involving four university-based gerontology centers and 17 community colleges in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. Its purpose was to enhance the gerontological curricula of community colleges serving rural areas by means of a model…

This report examines the opinions of 726 registered voters in 5 small, rural mid-west school districts. The purposes of the study were: (1) to assess citizens' satisfaction with the school districts' programs and services; (2) to indicate strengths and weaknesses in the school districts' programs and services; (3) to identify problems facing the…

This report is the self-study of the Associate in Occupational Studies (AOS) in Culinary Arts program offered by the Hotel, Culinary Arts, and Tourism Department at Schenectady County Community College (New York). The self-study was conducted to support the department's application for initial accreditation of the Culinary Arts program with the…

This report summarizes results of the evaluation of Head Start's Leadership Training Program. The introductory chapter provides background information on the program, including a rationale for leadership training, goals and objectives of the program, and ways in which participants were selected. Chapter II provides an overview of the training…

Achieving good quality in Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) training is hampered by the lack of a common definition of quality. Five ideas have been consistent in definitions: targeting programs; long-term, in-depth training; basic education; work skills training; and supportive services and guidance. A definition must include suggestions on how…

The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is a part-time program targeted toward the needs of economically disadvantaged persons aged 55 and older. An evaluation was made of the program, using quarterly reports, program records, and telephone surveys. The evaluation assessed the relationship between participant outcomes and factors…

This report documents and highlights the effects of the career guidance section of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act in the State of Ohio during the 1988-89 fiscal year. The report asserts that Ohio has more than met the intent of the federal law in terms of the student outcomes achieved, improved career guidance program delivery, cost…

An evaluation was conducted to describe Tech Prep prototypes as they have been implemented in five sites in Indiana and to determine the effectiveness of the programs. Tech Prep is a curriculum initiative that: is performance based, provides students with skills necessary to gain employment or to pursue further education upon high school…