This report presents early results from a rigorous evaluation of a performance-based scholarship program that was implemented at three community colleges in Ohio during the 2008-2009 academic year. The program in Ohio that is the subject of this report is part of MDRC's national Performance-Based Scholarship (PBS) Demonstration, which was launched…

This report provides initial results of Illinois' Shifting Gears Initiative that operated between July 1, 2007 and June 30, 2009. This mixed method (qualitative and quantitative) evaluation sought to accomplish three goals: (1) to assess program and student outcomes for two models (adult education and developmental education) for two target groups…

The implications of the lessons learned through an evaluability assessment (EA) of the Title II Basic Skills Improvement Program (BSIP) for State Education Agency (SEA) support of model demonstration programs are discussed. The purposes, methodology and uses of the EA process are presented. Also included is a discussion of the details of the…

A plan has been initiated in Georgia to ensure that project directors and evaluators are cognizant of and organized to meet criteria specified in the Identification, Validation, and Dissemination (IVD) guidelines. The evaluation/validation process involves eight steps: (1) evaluator training, (2) proposal screening, (3) critique of evaluation…

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…

Three National Workplace Literacy Program-funded projects were evaluated. Two statewide projects were institutionalized with supporting state structures. The community college program was not considered mission central and was discontinued after funding ended. Union involvement, learner participation, curriculum development, and staff training…

As an arm of the National Diffusion Network, the Pennsylvania State Facilitator's responsibilities include informing the schools about Title III approved programs and aiding in the actual adoption of such programs by school districts. Two aspects of the facilitator's role were identified for evaluation: (1) whether the facilitator had implemented…

Noting that many children in the United States are not well nourished despite the recent economic boom, the state of Maryland began the Maryland Meals for Achievement (MMFA) program, a demonstration project to see if providing a classroom breakfast free to all students can improve student nutrition and academic achievement. This interim report…

During the 1989-90 school year, the state of Maryland focused on heightening awareness, reaffirming commitments, and establishing partnerships between schools and shelters to ensure that homeless students had access to and success in school. The following accomplishments are outlined: (1) 21 local school districts implemented local policies and…

A report is given of a study conducted on the nature and extent of support that local school systems in Maryland currently provide to new teachers. The study had two components: a statewide survey and case studies of promising programs. The survey polled Associate or Assistant Superintendents of Instruction in 23 of Maryland's 24 county school…

The publication describes 33 Wisconsin special educational needs (SEN) programs and activities during 1977-78. The bulk of the report consists of self evaluation findings submitted by each project director. Each report is concerned with five areas: instructional program, staff development, parent education/involvement, local advisory program…

The sourcebook provides descriptions of 16 exemplary middle school/junior high school resource room programs in Massachusetts. Programs in the following schools are covered: Walsh Middle School (Framingham), Wilson Junior High School (Natick), Oxford Middle School (Oxford), North Junior High School (Pittsfield), Sutton Middle School (Sutton),…

The journal describes the Management Information System for Occupational Education (MISOE), designed to provide computerized information support capability for State level occupational education planning. An introductory chapter presents a guide for reading the publication. The second chapter describes basic components and terminology and outlines…

This is one of two reports being prepared as a third party evaluation of a project to determine the feasibility of the career education model being implemented in the vocational programs of the Minnesota State Department of Education. The purpose of this phase of the study was to make observations and provide information which would be helpful to…

Presented is a description of the operational procedures of a model resource center for educationally handicapped elementary school children in Colorado and the replication strategy to be used. Emphasized are the differentiated staffing patterns. Appended are tables of statistical data and evaluation forms. (IM)