This guide describes key steps for developing a well-thought-out plan for evaluating a State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP). The guide provides considerations for how to incorporate each step into an evaluation plan, as well as a series of worksheets that correspond to each step and can be used to facilitate the planning process. The guide,…

A quality rating and improvement system (QRIS) is a voluntary state assessment system that uses multidimensional data on early childhood education programs to rate program quality, support quality improvement efforts, and provide information to families about the quality of available early childhood education programs. QRISs have two components:…

The document reports the process used in Massachusetts to qualify for a waiver of the requirements which restrict the supplanting of state and local funds with federal funds according to P.L. 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. The controversy between state and federal officials over interpretation of the waiver is addresssed,…

This guide outlines 10 basic steps for policymakers and practitioners interested in creating Second Chance Homes in their areas. Second Chance Homes provide stable, nurturing environments for teen families with access to child care, education, job training, counseling, and advice on parenting and life skills. The guide is based on interviews with…

The state validation process in New York identifies promising practices developed through the Elementary Secondary Education Act Title IV-C funding. The new validation procedures included in this handbook are revised to: (1) make the evaluation process easier to apply; (2) provide technical assistance in evaluating the project; (3) extend…

The document analyzes monitoring procedures in use by other federal programs in an attempt to help the Bureau of Education for the Handicapped (BEH) develop its own procedures for waiver reviews. Waivers are explained as a request for exemption from P.L. 94-142's (the Education for All Handicapped Children Act) fiscal non-supplant requirements.…

The case study examines the review used by the then Bureau of Education for the Handicapped (BEH) to evaluate the compliance of special education programs in Massachusetts with P.L. 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. Procedures to develop and implement the waiver review over the period October 1977 to June 1978 are reported.…

A rating scale designed by the Alaska Department of Education to be used by administrators, professional staff, and community representatives to assess community education programs is presented. The scale elicits information regarding: (1) philosophy; (2) administration/management; (3) personnel management; (4) fiscal management; (5) planning; (6)…

The handbook details Colorado's educational services to handicapped students and discusses the state's progress (1977-78 fiscal year) in insuring appropriate education as required by the 1973 Handicapped Children's Educational Act. Sections briefly address the following topics: the student (number and age range identified); the staff (total number…

The site review program guide is designed to assist local education agencies (LEAs) in the full implementation of Wiconsin's Chapter 115, federal law P.L. 94-142 (the Education for All Handicapped Children Act), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 through a systematic review and monitoring of the total special education program. The…

This document presents three different views of accountability to address state needs as their departments of education design, improve, or review their state accountability and reporting systems. The first of three sections presents the system-design decision process as a linear sequence of ten steps from defining the purposes of the…

As part of an effort to make the system for the evaluation of California community colleges' occupational education programs more relevant and efficient, a project was undertaken to provide the coordination and support services necessary to accomplish this revision. The primary objective of the project was to involve college practitioners,…

This report documents the Hawaii Writing Assessment, which was undertaken to identify the writing strengths and weaknesses of Hawaii's public school children in kindergarten through grade twelve and to provide a basis for improvement in curriculum and instruction. The two sections of the report contain an overview of the assessment effort and…

Designed for use by Michigan community colleges wishing to conduct a self-study of their occupational programs, this manual provides step-by-step instructions and instrumentation for implementing the Program Review in Occupational Education (PROE) model. PROE is a component of the Michigan Community College Occupational Education Evaluation System…

This functional model for managing large-scale program evaluations was developed and validated in connection with the assessment of Tennessee's Nutrition Education and Training Program. Management of such a large-scale assessment requires the development of a structure for the organization; distribution and recovery of large quantities of…