This paper presents data gathered as part of an evaluation study of a grant-making initiative undertaken by a national organization involved with Jewish day schooling. The initiative disbursed grants to 30 established Jewish day schools for use during the 2002-2003 school year. The goal of the initiative was to encourage and support day schools to…

This policy analysis report on the Dade County Public Schools was written as part of an Honors Student Mentor Group sponsored by the Institute for Public Policy and Citizenship Studies. The students visited several schools, conducting personal interviews with staff and students, and reviewed statistical sources on a weekly basis under the guidance…

Key concepts from theory and research on student learning are discussed, and a conceptual framework to promote the design of local instructional improvement efforts is presented. The objective is to advocate that institutional researchers focus more directly on the basic issues of teaching and learning and to suggest that improving instructional…

Ways to define the outcomes of college experiences are discussed, along with the use of assessment information to improve curricula, instruction, and management. The analysis is based on the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems/Kellogg Student Outcomes Project. It is proposed that institutions achieve educational excellence by…

This report contains findings from a study to examine the impact of Pennsylvania's Customized Job Training (CJT) program upon clients (trainees), business/industry, local education agencies (LEAs), and local communities and the commonwealth. Chapter 1 details study purposes, design, and procedures. Chapter 2 presents a summary description of the…

A project (ARISE) designed to provide information, referral and counseling on the available resources and services in Providence and in Rhode Island for youth and adult residents of the City of Providence is presented. Objectives include: (1) To help adults improve their self understanding, verify their goals, make firm commitments to their…

This is an overview and synthesis of the Learning and Skills Development Agency's (LSDA's) research and support activity that applies to 14-19 year olds. It pulls together various strands of activity within LSDA between 2000 and 2005 to provide a comprehensive picture of the publications relating to this age group. It is designed for use by…

The Monitoring Commission for Desegregation Implementation of Chicago (Illinois) Public Schools is responsible for monitoring and making recommendations about student racial and ethnic distribution in the Chicago schools by a consent decree. In a series of discussion papers, this report presents findings from a survey of principals and teachers…

Intended for educators and program planners, this guide provides program information and planning ideas for maximizing opportunities to increase the basic skills of undereducated children, youth, and adults. It is suitable for use by those with or without expertise in the basic skills areas of reading, math, writing, and oral communication.…

The Saginaw Successful Schools Project (S3P) was described and evaluated using data collected from 1980 to 1985. S3P is a school improvement project based on instructional and school effectiveness research findings; but the starting point for change is determined by staff in each of the 31 school buildings. The School Improvement Survey (SIS) was…

The report describes a study of industry-sponsored upgrading programs for journeymen in construction unions. Interviews with union and training officials, as well as 405 journeymen and 99 contractors, revealed that upgrading activities were concentrated in electrical work, carpentry, and the pipe trades, and that both the number of programs and…

A food and nutrition study conducted in six different areas of one state is discussed. The youth phase of the program was designed to provide an educational program for young people from low-income families. Pre-tests and post-tests were prepared and designed to determine the effectiveness of the Tricks for Treats unit in influencing the behavior…

This report provides a broad overview of previous NDEA institute evaluation reports on summer institutes two or more summers ago. Emphasis is on how to make the institutes more effective. Primary purposes of the summer institutes are to: 1) change what and how students learn in elementary and secondary school classrooms; and, 2) change college and…

The purpose and direction of the quality improvement program of the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) are described. The improvement program was designed to develop a systematic approach to identify, measure, and correct errors in the student aid delivery system. Information is provided on the general approach…

A case study approach was used to evaluate the statewide reading improvement project in Louisiana called Special Plan Upgrading Reading (SPUR). SPUR emphasized a change agent approach by providing Technical Assistants and small stipends (approximately $5,000) to participating school districts. During the first two years of the evaluation,…