The purpose of this study was to examine rater, domain, and gender influences on the assessed quality of student writing using weighted and unweighted scores. Twenty rates were randomly selected from a group of 87 operational raters contracted to rate essays as part of the 1993 field test of the Georgia High School Writing Test. All of the raters…

The purpose of this study was to describe the Rasch model for measurement and apply the model to examine the relationship between raters, domains of written compositions, and student writing ability. Twenty raters were randomly selected from a group of 87 operational raters contracted to rate essays as part of the 1993 field test of the Georgia…

This report examines regional and/or state cooperative preservation programs and related activities. The major part of the report is given over to case studies that present a synopsis of the key structural and program elements of cooperative preservation initiatives. These case studies include the: Office of Library and Archival Materials…

The Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) Phase III Equity Staff Development project was conducted to determine strategies to eliminate sex bias and sex role stereotyping throughout the WTCS. The following project activities were conducted: (1) the WTCS sex equity advisory committee was formed to provide continuity and direction for state…

This pamphlet describes the Kentucky Statewide Writing Program, initiated in 1986 by then-Governor Martha Layne Collins and the Kentucky General Assembly to create student and teacher interest in learning to write and developing writing skills. Following an introduction to the program and background information, the pamphlet describes the four…

A hearing was held to discuss the reauthorization of the Child Development Associate Scholarship Assistance (CDASA) Act of 1985 and the State Dependent Care Development Grants (SDCDG) Act. The CDASA Act was created to provide financial assistance to low-income individuals who would otherwise be unable to afford the cost of the CDA application and…

This volume presents 22 papers that discuss thinking in the context of subjects taught in general education, special and vocational education, educational technology, and special programs. The key note article is: (1) "A Case for Higher Order Thinking" (G. Garcia Jr.). Under the heading "Educational Technology" are: (2)…

This paper has two aims, each bearing on recent developments in evaluation policy. The first is to summarize a report presented in 1980 to the United States Congress and Department of Education, concerning evaluation policy and practices at the national, state, and local levels of government. The second aim is to link some of the United States…

The article examines the Government Accounting Office report that reviewed the operation of State vocational education programs. The author also responds to some of the negative elements within the report. (MW)

An overview of the 1988-89 pilot study and 1989-90 field test for the Georgia Media Specialist Evaluation Program is provided. Development of an annual evaluation program for media specialists began in 1987 with the formation of an advisory committee of media specialists, administrators, university personnel, and Georgia Education Department…

A senate hearing on the role of older volunteers in the schools was held at the Spanish River High School in Boca Raton, Florida. At the time of the hearing, Florida was the only state in the United States with a school volunteer program supported by legislation, appropriation, and a state program coordinating office. Students, volunteer program…

Recommendations designed to assist states in the creation of meaningful definitions of types of schools and students for use in the Council of Chief State School Officers' Education Data Improvement Project are presented. The Project's goals are to promote and facilitate the reform and refinement of the National Center for Education Statistics'…

The Family Support Act of 1988 requires each state to set up a Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Program (JOBS) to provide a work/education/training program for recipients of Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) by October 1, 1990. The law provides a broad outline for JOBS leaves the critical decisions to the states; hence, the major…

This guide, which gives an overview of federally funded vocational rehabilitation programs available in New Mexico, was developed for clients and potential clients of vocational rehabilitation services. Written in a simple and clear manner, the manual outlines the goals of rehabilitation: independence, self-management, self-advocacy, and…

This publication emerged from an invitational meeting held by "Project Zero to Three" to address how best to provide effective, culturally sensitive, and comprehensive early intervention programs to all infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families in an equitable way. Following an overview of the concept of culture and how that…