This research brief examines the challenges and opportunities presented in evaluating whether an intervention achieves defined goals of increasing students' educational attainment, employment, and earnings after high school. The report concludes that evaluations should: (1) Distinguish between gross outcomes (such as how many young people attend…

Longitudinal evaluation of KIDS' TEAM, which developed community coalitions for youth at risk, found that the focus of most coalitions has expanded beyond the original goal. Those that still thrive have outside funding, committed members, and public recognition. Other success factors include valid needs assessments, broad participation,…

Urban school officials face the challenge of a growing number of students with or at-risk for developing antisocial behavior. The school-wide positive behavior support (PBS) model provides a comprehensive structure for schools to address antisocial behavior more effectively. In this article, the authors document, in case study format, the…

The National Career Information System provides software, occupational and educational information, and technical assistance to operating agencies in 16 states. This article summarizes successful characteristics of programs in secondary schools, as identified in an 11-state study, and describes programs in Idaho and Georgia. (six references) (MLH)

Suggests a schema for school personnel interested in planning for the implementation of a Reading Recovery program. Emphasizes that Reading Recovery is a system of intervention, not a bag of tricks or quickie methods. Describes the nature of full implementation, its importance, and how to plan for it. (RS)

Though mentoring has a long history, it has just recently begun to mature as a field to provide a research base of "best practice" for program development. Today, professionals are looking for ways to better connect with students, particularly those at risk, and mentoring programs are one way to do so. Mentoring programs are expanding rapidly,…

This document provides an overview of the concept of mentoring, this time applied to the area of dropout prevention. It begins by describing the functions and characteristics of a mentor, considering the use of mentors with at-risk youth, and examining the roles of a mentor in dropout prevention. Suggestions are given for setting up a mentoring…

Describes a student-behavior-modification process and ongoing research project involving 650 of the highest risk youth from a population of 11,000 6th to 12th graders. After identifying at-risk students, researchers isolated routine problem behaviors and examined how they could be modified. Students work their way back to a regular school setting…

Describes Success for All reading program, its development in Baltimore and Philadelphia, and recent study evaluating its replication in 15 schools in 7 states. Program clearly improves student reading performance. Evaluations for previous years show program's effectiveness in Baltimore and Philadelphia. The longer a school remains in the program,…

First Step to Success is a collaborative home and school early intervention program designed to address secondary prevention goals and outcomes for behaviorally at-risk children in the K-2 age-grade range (see Walker, Kavanagh, Stiller, Golly, Severson, & Feil, 1998; Walker, Stiller, Golly, Kavanagh, Severson, & Feil, 1997). In 1999 the…

The Parent Involvement Program (PIP) was designed to promote the active and continuing participation of individual parents in the education of their children, as well as a partnership with the schools their children attend. An evaluation of PIP focused on its planning and implementation and determined the program's effectiveness in meeting its…

The City of Phoenix offers a five-day river-based camping experience to at-risk and disabled teens. Describes how professional river outfitters are contracted to run the trips, staffing considerations, liability and safety considerations, and camper orientation. Evaluation showed that participants received lasting measurable benefits, including…

Concerned about low reading achievement scores, the superintendent of an impoverished, rural Tennessee school district adopted Marie Carbo's reading styles program as a vehicle for a five-year learning improvement plan. The district aimed to improve classroom instruction through long-term staff development that inspired teachers to abandon…

Explores the concept of full-service schools for students at risk, identifying five specific obstacles or cautions that are especially important to consider when full-service schools are being developed. Such schools require understanding of the collaboration process and willingness to make major commitments in time and resources. (SLD)

Unique in its coverage of both prevention and intervention, this book provides evidence-based strategies and ready-to-use tools for addressing substance abuse in middle and high school settings. Readers learn ways to identify students at risk and implement programs that meet a broad continuum of needs--from psychoeducational and support groups to…