Research has shown that preschool education is a sound investment--academically, socially, and economically. Offers some options for integrating the existing patchwork of U.S. public and private programs into a uniform system that provides a high-quality early education to all young children. (Contains 13 references.) (MLF)

Studied the implementation of a state-funded restructuring initiative that intended broad changes in teacher roles aimed at higher student achievement. Multiple data sources from three schools indicate that the observed changes in professional roles were not well enough established to affect core educational practice in the long run. (SLD)

Studied teacher evaluation practice in 27 North Carolina school districts 14 years after the initial implementation of the North Carolina Teacher Appraisal System. Findings show more inconsistencies in practice and less support for the system than would be desirable. (SLD)

Responses from 45 of 50 state correctional education directors indicated that, following the ban on Pell Grants for inmates, 25 states still offered college programs, with funding from state and federal agencies, corporations, foundations, universities, and inmates. States most likely to have college programs had higher total population and higher…

Reports results of a survey of state library agencies' research on public library operations and services. The appendix provides information on the contact person, the title of the study, and availability of materials for the 29 agencies responding to the survey. A copy of the questionnaire is included. (13 references) (MES)

Considers the need for family literacy programs and library involvement in such programs. National organizations and local library programs devoted to family literacy are described, and the California State Library's Families for Literacy Program, which provides funding for local library family literacy programs, is discussed. (MES)

The California Relay Services (CRS) is a statewide 24-hour dual-party relay system which is designed to bridge the communication gap between the hearing-impaired and the normal-hearing community by using communication assistants to relay calls between those without Telecommunication Devices for the Deaf (TDDs) and TDD-users. (DB)

Relates the history of First Impressions, an early childhood initiative in Colorado. Insights gleaned from the First Impressions story are offered for advocates of early childhood education. (BG)

Findings from an outcome evaluation of the California AIDS Education and Prevention Program, the largest of its kind in the country, are presented. Specific programs suffered from design defects that made it impossible to accurately determine their effectiveness. Attitude and behavior change was not properly addressed by the programs. (TJH)

To address the education and training needs of the current and emerging work force, states must take leadership in developing partnerships between adult educators, community-based organizations, and the private sector. Other strategies include special training funds, resources for high demand occupations, entrepreneurship training, and tax credits…

Describes the provisions, development, and future of the Independent-Living Initiative. Discusses its implementation at federal and state levels, and also the plans of the state of Illinois to establish a departmentwide task force to develop a system of services for youths who will be leaving foster care. (RJC)

The attempt by D.Edwards and C. B. Cummings to adjust state mean Scholastic Aptitude Test Scores for differential participation rates with a "fuzzy truncation model" satisfies three criteria the authors previously defined but falls short for two. Omission of sensitivity studies mars the otherwise exemplary study. (SLD)

Describes distance education programs in Iowa, including the Iowa Distance Education Alliance developed through the Department of Education's Star Schools Program; the use of fiber optic technology; and the Iowa Communications Network that links colleges, universities, and secondary schools with public television. (LRW)

Indiana, the first state to mandate tech prep in public schools, coordinates statewide efforts through the 14 economic development regions. Tech prep seeks to blur distinctions between academic and vocational education and provide the best preparation possible for the majority of students who are not college bound. (SK)

Two surveys of educators examined the status of gifted programs in Connecticut during 1989 to 1991. The 1991 results indicate that increasing numbers of programs for the gifted are experiencing jeopardy resulting from the state's fiscal crisis. The number of program eliminations increased by 63% and program reductions rose by 11%. (Author/JDD)