Over the years, most states and districts have focused professional development on teachers rather than principals. However, evidence suggests that principals can play an important role in reaching our national goals of high achievement for all students. School leaders are powerful levers for change--when given the right training and support. But…

Nursing is a practice profession that has long been regarded with esteem and trust by the public. The education of nurses is a process that has evolved over the last 150 years from apprenticeship-based training to an academic program grounded in the arts and sciences. Nurses must successfully learn a rigorous academic curriculum, demonstrate…

During 2006, High/Scope worked with the Forum to provide training and technical assistance to several state and regional networks which are building quality improvement and accountability systems. In each community, High/Scope staff presented to local decision-makers and provided one- or two-day pilot training workshops for parishioners and…

To help teachers and administrators evaluate and improve their reading programs, standards of excellence are presented for seven program components: administration and organization, student assessment, instruction and management, instructional materials, evaluation, staff and staff development, and community involvement. Procedures are suggested…

The purpose of this publication is to present the Executive Summary of the Program Year 2004 report on Iowa's adult literacy program benchmarks. The passage of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998 [Public Law 105-220] by the 105th Congress ushered in a new era of collaboration, coordination, cooperation and accountability. The overall goal…

Describes a study in which 266 Iowa secondary and postsecondary agricultural educators were surveyed to identify needs for articulation between Iowa secondary and postsecondary vocational agriculture programs. The resulting rank of articulated needs and other tabular data are included. (SH)

This review examined the evaluation components from 10 awarded state improvement grants designed to improve systems providing services for students with disabilities. The review examined the following aspects of the evaluation components: purposes, conceptual framework for the evaluation and systems reform, evaluation design and approaches,…

The handbook's purpose is to improve recruiting methods for adult basic education (ABE) programs and is the outcome of an Iowa project that solicited responses from ABE coordinators in two questionnaires. The information is organized around major topics. Each topic is followed by possible solutions, implications, and a summary. Various recruiting…

Effects of training teacher evaluators and outcomes and quality of teacher evaluation were studied in Iowa for 619 elementary school and secondary school teachers. Findings relating to training effects are encouraging, and findings relating to teacher and evaluator attributes and the evaluation process provide direction for improving teacher…

The Iowa Adult Basic Education Assessment Study was conducted to document the qualities of excellence, accountability, and purpose that are present in Iowa's adult basic education (ABE) program. A six-step documentation procedure included creation of an ABE task force; submission of written assessment reports from ABE coordinators; development,…

A hearing was held for the purpose of receiving testimony concerning the Human Services Reauthorization Act of 1990. The first panel provided testimony about: (1) the delivery of human services in northern Iowa that are funded through the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) and the need for continued block grant funding; (2) CSBG funding of…

Examining the methodology used to fund Iowa's 15 community colleges, this report reviews the history of the state's community colleges, highlights the strengths and weaknesses of the funding formula, and describes principles upon which sound funding should be based. Following a preface and executive summary, an introduction is provided to Iowa's…

This report was prepared for the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) to help the state: (1) examine the current child care subsidy system in Iowa; (2) seek ways to maximize federal, state, and local funds for child care services; (3) simplify the administration of child care subsidies; and (4) promote the use of high quality child care,…

A study was made of the current and future role of practical nurses and the curricula used to prepare these nurses in the 16 programs in Iowa. A statewide committee of 14 persons involved in hiring, employing, and controlling practical nurse practice was formed. Between Fall 1987 and Spring 1989, the committee gathered and analyzed information and…

Interviews collected information from 135 graduates of the trades and industrial cooperative education training program, and 30 employers in Des Moines, Iowa, to appraise the effectiveness of training in relation to post high school employment. Graduates and employers commented on the value of core area training, school counseling, and different…