This chapter on designing and implementing effective staff development programs is taken from a guide to instruction and services for students with disabilities. The chapter focuses on assessment of staff development needs and identification of priorities for training. Staff development options are discussed in terms of formats (such as workshops,…

Providing a variety of instructional methods and materials, developing unique and effective communication systems, and continually evaluating the process are the keys to the effective delivery of field-based programs in graduate education offered by Nova University (Florida). It has become a leader in distance-education programs by offering…

A project was developed and implemented to increase developmentally appropriate activities for children in 79 Orange County, Florida, public schools participating in the Extended Day Enrichment Program (EDEP). Personnel from the EDEP were enlisted to produce curriculum kits, resource portfolios, cultural immersion workshops, and music, art, dance,…

This report examines outcomes of the Primary Language Record (PLR), a program for systematically observing students in various aspects of their literacy development. The PLR uses classroom events and samples of student work to record students' progress and interests, recommend strategies for addressing needs and building on talents, and discuss…

"A Vision for the Future," a comprehensive long-range plan to develop, implement, and evaluate a multipart program to reduce the dropout rate in the Charleston, South Carolina, school district, is described in this report. Goals and objectives are presented, followed by a description of 18 intervention strategies. Components of the plan…

This evaluation report of special education in the State of Delaware consists of three parts: (1) a position paper that summarizes the conceptual and philosophical basis for the evaluation system; (2) a profile of first year evaluation findings; and (3) a draft of the Long Range Implementation Plan. The evaluation model considers process,…

This monograph is composed of papers from the first National Conference on School Recognition Programs. School recognition programs vary considerably, but they do acknowledge schools that perform well (winners) and have recognizable public relations value. Consequently, school recognition programs have substantial potential for educational…

After describing the programs and staff at Ian Bazalgette Junior High School in Calgary, Canada, this document reviews the problems at the school in 1979 that led to the implementation of the Effective Schools Program. A review of literature related to effective schools precedes an explanation of seven school effectiveness factors adopted by the…

The 1989-90 activities of New York City Public Schools' Special Education Training and Resource Center (SETRC), supported by the New York State Education Department, are reviewed and evaluated. The resource center program was designed to provide training to regular, special, and occupational education personnel; parents; and support services staff…

This hearing commemorates the 25th anniversary of the passage of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), and more specifically of Title I of the Act, later continued through Chapter 1 of the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act (ECIA). This legislation mandated Federal aid for the compensatory education of educationally…

This study evaluated the implementation of and the outcomes from a local child parent center compensatory education program. It intended to contribute to a better understanding of one phase of compensatory education; and, in the process, it proposed to develop a relatively simple and practical evaluation strategy which would verify the…

Due to the efforts of mental health consumer and advocacy organizations, there now exists a legislated community-based mental health policy for the treatment of children and adolescents with serious emotional disorders and their families. But the implementation of this policy has not met the intended legislative standards. Accordingly, this…

The paper describes a state (Arkansas) planning process for delivering appropriate technology support services to citizens with disabilities as implemented in the TAARK (Technology Access for Arkansans) Project and the ARTAP (Arkansas Technology Access Program). The model focuses on active consumer involvement and a comprehensive service delivery…

The JOBSTART demonstration was carried out between August 1985 and October 1986 to gain information on effective ways to solve the problem of high unemployment rates and low skills levels of many high school dropouts. JOBSTART was targeted to disadvantaged high school dropouts, and provided them with basic educational and occupational skills…

This guide is intended to assist states and service delivery areas (SDAs) in addressing the new oversight responsibilities and opportunities stipulated by the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) with respect to process evaluation. The first chapter provides an overview of the JTPA organizational system. Discussed next is the relationship among…