This report presents preliminary findings of a 5-year study evaluating the effectiveness of state-funded prekindergarten programs in Texas. The two components of the study included in this report are (1) a statewide survey of 507 school districts, focusing on prekindergarten program characteristics, implementation, and parents' perceptions of the…

An 18-member Collaborative of Michigan educational organizations and agencies was formed in October 1994. The Collaborative was committed to systemic reform that included inclusive relationships, challenging ideas, and changed practice to ensure better teaching and learning for all students. The Collaborative made the assumption that it would take…

An evaluative study was done of California's Bilingual Education Program, the goal of which has been to teach English and other academic skills to more than half a million students with limited English backgrounds. While the State Department of Education provided no comprehensive evaluation, there is evidence that some components have been…

Design and implementation of a curriculum evaluation plan for the vocational education program (occupational education under the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Act) of a large correctional system are described. An outside evaluator assisted in designing and conducting the first year's evaluation. The 1991-92 curriculum used was…

The Louisiana Accelerated Schools Project (LASP) is a statewide network of schools that are changing from the traditional mode of schooling for at-risk students, which stresses remediation, to one of acceleration, which stresses accelerated learning for all students. The accelerated schools process provides a systematic approach to the…

This report describes each of the child care funding streams administered by the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS), the policies and procedures that guide the administration of these funds, and the new KsCares child care automation system that will soon be implemented. These policies, procedures, and systems are then…

In 1987, Florida anticipated the federal Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Program with Project Independence, a statewide welfare-to-work program. It was structured to increase employment among Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) recipients as quickly as possible, primarily through job search activities. An evaluation was begun in 9…

This report presents the findings of the New York State Comptroller's audit of the Education Department's management and oversight of the Preschool Handicapped Education Program. The audit notes a 68 percent increase (to $298 million) in costs during 1990-91 over the previous year, most of which is attributed to the 55 percent increase in the…

This report provides descriptive data and analyses of information concerning Illinois public school gifted education programs, gathered via the fiscal year 1992 Gifted Education Program Evaluation Report. The report describes the student population, program type and content, staff training, and funding during school year 1991-92. Highlights of the…

Family support and education programs are community-based efforts that offer sustained assistance to families at various periods in their development. Support is provided to promote parental competencies and behavior that lead to healthy and positive development of parents and children. These programs take many forms, such as drop-in centers,…

In 1988, whether the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)--the "Nation's Report Card"--could become a report card for the states was studied. A trial assessment program was authorized to determine whether state assessments following the NAEP format could produce reliable and useful estimates of educational progress. This…

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Nutrition Education and Training Program (NET) provides nutrition information and instructional resources for children, parents, educators, and food service personnel. This document describes the evaluation methods of the NET Program in Texas in fiscal year 1991, reports evaluation results, and offers…

In compliance with 1983 state legislation, the Florida Postsecondary Education Planning Commission reviewed five Regional Coordinating Councils for Vocational and Adult General Education during 1990-91, focusing on staffing arrangements. As part of the review process, the commission distributed a questionnaire to all 28 of the councils' executive…

A statewide sustained effort to improve student learning in Missouri by adopting and adapting promising research-based educational practices is described. The concept of an Instructional Management System (IMS) with desired learner outcomes determining both instruction and testing was suggested to local school districts beginning in 1980. In 1985,…

This paper identifies and describes techniques that states may use to evaluate the three components of their programs funded under Section 353 of the Adult Education Act: (1) state administration; (2) special projects and staff training programs; and (3) effects or impacts of projects on local programs and instructors. Evaluation of these…