The General Accounting Office (GAO) reviewed existing procedures to manage Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) contracting and also identified problems with regard to management of TANF contracting. The major data collection activities were as follows: (1) a national survey of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the 10 counties…

This study examined the characteristics of students attending historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), focusing on 14 HBCUs with student loan default rates of 25 percent or more over the last 3 years, which are high enough to jeopardize their continued participation in federal financial aid programs. It was found that, in general,…

This report highlights issues for policymakers and provides guidance to states and localities implementing the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) by describing the successes and struggles of five cities implementing the new legislation. It presents WIA's basic framework and discusses its impact on these four major audiences: employment and…

The 97 bilingual education program enhancement projects funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Languages Affairs in fiscal 1995 are analyzed for their demographic characteristics, goals and objectives, instructional characteristics, parent and family services, professional development, personnel…

This digest provides a compilation of statistical information covering the broad field of American education from kindergarten through graduate school. It includes a selection of data from government and private sources, and draws especially on the results of surveys and activities carried out by the National Center for Education Statistics. The…

The name of the United States School Garden Army was adopted in March, 1918. The work of the organization is an expansion of work undertaken by the Bureau of Education in 1914. The scale upon which it was done was limited by the finances that could be secured for it. The acute demand for food production growing out of the war conditions made…

This bulletin, the fifth in a series, includes brief descriptions of research projects approved by the Cooperative Research Program of the Office of Education during the fiscal year 1961. Most of the projects were negotiated into contract in fiscal year 1961; however, some were contracted in fiscal year 1962. Each description contains a statement…

Describes four major federal programs supporting the education, recruitment, and professional development of minority dental faculty; the Association of American Medical Colleges' project to support minority health occupations faculty training; and an ongoing West Virginia University faculty affirmative action program. Also offers personal…

Reviews the creation and accomplishments of the 1984 Comprehensive Crime Control Act. The legislation established the United States Sentencing Commission that works to eliminate unwarranted disparities in sentencing and has abolished parole at the federal level. Discusses how the guidelines work. (MJP)

Presents a lesson plan constructed around materials found in the User's Guide to the Federal Project. The Federal Theater Project produced radical and populist plays during the Great Depression before being de-funded by a conservative Congress. The lessons include activities and discussion built around the original plays. (MJP)

Examines the role of public officials, social scientists, and educational planners in New Deal programs for Navajo Indians. States that resistance to community schools and stock-reduction policies caused the failure of New Deal programs. Concludes that the Navajo experience can help social planners deal more effectively with other social groups.…

Asserts that the National Standards for Arts Education ignore the values that shape, define, and illuminate democracy. Calls for attention to child development, school environment, and teaching strategies to supplement the work already done on curriculum standards. (CFR)

This article summarizes the findings of the National Research Council (NRC) report "On Evaluating Curricular Effectiveness" and examines the reviews in middle grades mathematics undertaken by the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC). The NRC report reviewed and assessed 147 key evaluations of 13 National Science Foundation-supported K-12 mathematics…

This report focuses on a family of interventions that includes all "Direct Instruction" products ("DISTAR" and "Language for Learning"). "Direct Instruction" was used to refer to this family of interventions, as well as to all versions past and present. "Direct Instruction" includes teaching…

Farm to school (FTS) programs have been getting more and more attention these days. FTS programs aim to increase the supply of fresh, locally grown farm products served for meals and snacks in K-12 school environments, and tend to incorporate educational and experiential components designed to increase students' understanding of and engagement…