Purpose: The overall purpose of this journal-ready dissertation was to ascertain the extent to which progress occurred during the State of Texas' "Closing the Gaps by 2015" and the "60x30TX" education initiatives. In particular, the purpose of this dissertation was to determine the degree to which changes were present in the…

While facility-wide positive behavioral supports and interventions (FW-PBIS) has begun to be implemented within secure juvenile care settings, in a 24/7 model, there is a need to gather the perspectives of agency-stakeholders to better understand the feasibility and sustainability of FW-PBIS within these settings. To date, only two studies have…

The Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) settings rule (CMS 2249-F/2296-F) strictly enforces meaningful community-based settings for those receiving Medicaid HCBS funding. Stakeholders have the opportunity to impact states' setting rule plans and hold states accountable to ensure rules are truly community based. Yet, the complex rule can be…

The Department of Education, Division of Community Colleges and Workforce Preparation, is preparing this report in response to the Skilled Iowa and Job Creation Fund for the state appropriation for Adult Basic Education and Adult Education Literacy (AEL) Programs (260C.50). This report was coordinated by the department with the assistance of…

All Washington's children and youth grow up safe and healthy--thriving physically, emotionally, and educationally, nurtured by family and community. In this first five-year strategic planning cycle, the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) will focus on six Strategic Priorities--one relates to equity, three relate to…

States collectively invest over $12 billion a year to support over 4.5 million students through financial aid programs. This interactive 50-State Comparison provides a look at the specific criteria employed in the top two largest aid programs by state. This interactive resource includes details about which state programs are linked to measuring…

The New Jersey Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) is a statewide initiative that provides college access to economically and educationally disadvantaged high school graduates. Supporting approximately 13,000 students every year through financial and educational support, EOF remains a significant pathway to higher education for many first and…

To scale up and sustain the use of evidence-based practices, it is imperative that state education agencies systematically implement professional development that represents best practice. By delivering quality professional development to local districts, it is more likely that transition personnel will implement transition programs and practices…

Due to changing federal and state policy as well as increased community concerns about pollinators, assisting clients interested in pollinator health is taking more Extension agent time and resources. In addition, many gardeners tend to be beginners in need of support to recognize best management practices related to pollinating and beneficial…

In 2014, Tennessee launched a statewide initiative known as Response to Instruction and Intervention (RTI[superscript 2]) aimed at better supporting students' individual learning needs. RTI[superscript 2] is a framework for teaching and learning that includes regular screenings to identify student areas of need and a tiered model of intervention…

As communicated via a November 2017 memo (see ED610130), the Vermont Agency of Education (AOE), in collaboration with their implementation vendor Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH), has been working to finalize the design, development, and testing of a Statewide Longitudinal Data System (SLDS). Through its Vertical Reporting processes, the SLDS will…

The driving force of California's growing innovation economy is talent. However, there is also a growing mismatch between the type of talent in demand and the type of talent in supply. This paper describes why one of California's best options for closing this talent gap is to expand and modernize the State's apprenticeship system. [Additional…

Higher education is a key driver of economic mobility and future growth in California. Yet there is much unknown about how students advance from K-12 schools to postsecondary education and into the workforce--and where they falter. This lack of knowledge stems from the fragmented nature of California's education data and inhibits informed decision…

Founded in 2012, One Book 4 Colorado (OB4CO) is a statewide annual initiative that offers free copies of the same book to every 4-year-old in Colorado. In 2016, the book was "Giraffes Can't Dance" by Giles Andreae. More than 75,000 books were given away at more than 500 sites, including Denver Preschool Program preschools and both public…

Significant funds have been allocated in the United States at the federal, state, and local levels to provide teacher professional development aimed at bringing about instructional change and resulting in improved student achievement. One important indicator for quality and effectiveness in professional development is change in teaching practice.…