Using a novel design approach, a randomized experiment (RE) was embedded within a regression discontinuity (RD) design (R-RE-D) to evaluate the impact of developmental mathematics at a large midwestern college ("n" = 2,122). Within a region of uncertainty near the cut-score, estimates of benefit from a prospective RE were closely…

The federal government has had a long-standing commitment to ensuring access of English Learner (EL) students to a meaningful education. As early as 1968, the "Elementary and Secondary Education Act" ("ESEA") contained provisions for supporting the education of EL students and in its 1974 landmark decision, "Lau v.…

A review of the literature is presented on developmental mathematics courses in two- and four-year colleges and universities. The paper is organized within the categories of status studies, placement, program evaluation, class management, student characteristics, and thought processes. Highlights of the report include: (1) an average of 2.0…

In the summer of 1987, a project was undertaken by a consortium of eight California community colleges to develop valid and culturally fair assessment procedures for placing students into appropriate level courses. The specific objective of the project was to provide a guide to the state's community colleges for the development of these procedures…

This final report describes a one-year research project on the characteristics of seriously emotionally disturbed (SED) and severely behaviorally disordered (SBD) students served by the Georgia Psychoeducational Program Network during 1984-1985 (n=5,008) and 1985-1986 (n=4,226), as well as characteristics of the 24 programs which served them.…

This book provides practical strategies and tools for assessing and teaching even the most hard to reach English language learners across the content areas. Syrja offers educators the latest information on working with ELLs (including using formative assessments) and provides a wealth of classroom-tested models and measures. These tools have…

The four-volume study compared the costs and characteristics of public and nonpublic special education programs serving moderately and severely handicapped students in Montgomery County (Maryland) Public Schools (MCPS). Data are discussed according to five research questions. First, demographic characteristics are presented, and it is recommended…

The Evaluation Department of San Diego (California) City Schools develops and implements an annual evaluation plan aimed at improving special education programs, as required under California's Master Plan for Special Education. The studies contained in the 1986-87 evaluation are presented in three sections: (1) demographic information about the…

Beginning in 1978, Fullerton College implemented a mandatory assessment/placement program designed to assess student skills, ameliorate skill deficiencies through basic instruction, and place students in classes appropriate to their level of competency. A study was conducted to determine the impact of the skills prerequisite system on the progress…

New Beginning is a transitional program for limited-English-proficient (LEP) secondary school students in Dade County, Florida whose prior school experience was interrupted or limited. The program currently serves 102 students in four schools. Most participants are Hispanic or Haitian. Students are selected by district-wide criteria and grouped in…

The main objective of this paper is to examine the issue of matching the school curriculum with the needs of students, without the negative effects of testing. The paper next discusses curricular incompatibilities. It is only by carefully designing, implementing, and evaluating instructional programs that the negative effects of ability grouping,…

This report presents a description and the results of evaluation of Project Adelante at William H. Taft High School in New York City during 1980-81. The project, which was funded under Title VII of the Elementary Secondary Education Act, provided instruction in English as a Second Language, Spanish language skills, and bilingual instruction in…

A formative evaluation was undertaken at an urban community college to determine how an open-admission general studies program should be restructured to better meet student goals and the college's educational objectives. The evaluation process included: interviewing key college representatives to generate hypotheses, and review of the hypotheses…

A summary of a conference sponsored by the University of the State of New York to disseminate the results of the 1976-77 follow-up study of the Program on Noncollegiate Sponsored Instruction is presented. Representatives from 10 states and various higher education associations were present. The conference focused on the following topics: (1) the…

Link courses and other cooperative educational programs designed for secondary school students in New South Wales were evaluated in 1979. Link courses/programs are instructional sessions in which secondary students attend a postsecondary institution, or in which postsecondary faculty give lessons to students at the secondary school. The study was…