This exploratory study describes approaches to improving schools through retrospective, in-depth qualitative case studies. To select schools to be examined, the authors sought to identify Comprehensive School Reform (CSR) schools demonstrating two distinctive patterns of improved student achievement between 2000 and 2005, rapid-improvement (i.e.,…

The purpose of this project was to develop an evaluation system for the competency-based vocational program developed by Wisconsin's Division of Corrections, Department of Public Instruction (DPI), and the Vocational, Technical, and Adult Education System (VTAE). Site visits were conducted at five correctional institutions in March and April of…

Two intruments for evaluating the school plant are presented in this monograph. The first enables districts to appraise the effectiveness of school maintenance programs and plan for future maintenance needs. The eight aspects of maintenance covered relate to the exterior of the building, the interior, special classrooms, the electrical system, the…

One of three studies of child care which addressed a variety of planning and site planning issues of concern to the Montgomery County Planning Board in Silver Spring, Maryland, this study reports findings related to the location of child care facilities in park settings. Principal purposes of the study were to: (1) analyze the community impact of…

This site visitors' manual is part of a series of documents on the evaluation of Project Developmental Continuity (PDC), a Head Start demonstration program aimed at providing educational and developmental continuity between children's Head Start and primary school experiences. The PDC evaluation documents and analyzes the process of program…

This national survey of the state of the nation's museum collections investigates collection care policies and practices, conservation issues, and private sector and federal support for museum needs. It consists of two major projects and four additional information gathering projects. The Museum Collection Survey is designed to examine all major…

This study, which is part of a review of the child care elements of local zoning ordinances conducted in 1986 for the Montgomery County Board in Silver Spring, Maryland, addresses planning and site planning issues that arise from the locating of child day care facilities in commercial settings. Principal purposes of the study were to: (1) analyze…

The purpose of the staff development project in Mt. Diablo Unified School District is to personalize management for school improvement. This report describes how the project staff developed both a strong process (individual sites) and product (aggregated data across sites) evaluation component. In the process evaluation section, technical…

This document represents the first of two volumes presented in "Study of the Impact of the Statewide Systemic Initiatives Program" (Norman L. Webb and Iris R. Weiss). In an effort to evaluate the impact of the Statewide Systemic Initiatives (SSIs) on student achievement and the lessons that could be learned from the National Science…

There are several reasons why appraisals of school sites are necessary--the reasons run the range from the importance of performing a postoccupancy review to examining the need for new facilities. This guide helps educators and community leaders, as well as technical experts in school facilities, to complete the process of school facility…

This book outlines standards that provide a basis for camp accreditation and site approval by the American Camping Association (ACA), Inc. The purpose of the ACA accreditation programs is to educate camp owners and directors in the administration of key aspects of camp operation, particularly those related to program quality and the health and…

The effectiveness of Utah's adult education (AE) program was evaluated. In September 1992, directors of 42 AE centers and 6 other sites serving adults in Utah completed questionnaires regarding AE program indicators/standards regarding administration, planning, facilities, instruction, staff development, community and public relations, evaluation,…

The Alberta Vocational Center (AVC) developed a portable competency-based learning system for use in non-institutional adult basic education community programs. The system addresses needs identified by the 1971 census which found 28% of Alberta's residents (over fifteen and out of school) had less than a ninth grade education. Administered through…