Describes ongoing efforts in Arizona to use the findings from a leavers' study to identify and remove barriers to self-sufficiency. Provides examples of changes in case-closing policies and in Medicaid and food stamp eligibility resulting from study findings. (Author/SLD)

A survey of 125 Virginia extension agents received 90 responses demonstrating their knowledge of yard waste management and composting. Results were used to develop public education programs and pilot projects about composting. (SK)

Some of the thinking behind a popular state model for workplace-based education in South Australia is presented, and national implications are discussed. (LB)

The New York State External Diploma Program was begun at Syracuse University in 1972 as an alternative to the General Educational Development Test for adults who had not completed high school. The model has been adopted in 10 other states, and the American Council on Education is planning its availability in all states by the end of the century.…

Describes the reorganization of Nebraska's statewide Extension System into multicounty rather than local extension programing units. Includes recommendations to those involved in forming multicounty units. (Author/JOW)

Describes how President Bush's tax cut is creating new interest in college-savings and prepaid-tuition programs, which may force institutions to reconsider their recruitment and financial aid strategies. (EV)

To determine the factors that contribute to or compromise the effectiveness of multiscored items, this study combined analysis of statewide score data from the 1996 Maryland School Performance Assessment Program tests with systematic analyses of 60 activities providing measures of writing, language usage, or both, and one or more content areas.…

Explores three issues to consider regarding statewide standardized tests in higher education: (1) existing statewide testing programs differ markedly from one another in nature and objectives, and it's important to know specifically how and why; (2) a range of substantial implementation issues will be present; and (3) there are promising…

Explores statewide accountability systems in higher education, including what they are; the influences of K-12 reform, scarce resources, and distance learning and competing education providers on the drive toward accountability; different state accountability models; and potential disconnects between things measured and intended purposes of the…

Youth Art Month (YAM) is an annual observance each March to emphasize the value of art education for all students and to encourage support for quality school art programs. Youth Art Month (YAM) is in virtually every state, in many communities, in schools, libraries, stores, and other places. Anyone can start an observance--an art educator, a…

Policymakers and researchers have focused on improving the quality of our nation's 3 million teachers to raise the achievement of students in key academic areas, such as reading and mathematics. Given the importance of teacher quality to student achievement and the key role federal and state governments play in supporting teacher quality, GAO's…

Children's access to Medicaid dental services is a long-standing concern. The tragic case of a 12-year-old boy who died from an untreated infected tooth that led to a fatal brain infection renewed attention to this issue. He was enrolled in Medicaid--a joint federal and state program that provides health care coverage, including dental care, for…

As the national education policy community prepares for the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB), revamping the school improvement approach leveraged by accountability systems has risen to the top of the agenda. There is an emerging consensus that the school improvement process should be systemic, led by states and…

In 2009, families nationwide were surveyed to see how many children are in afterschool programs, how many are unsupervised after school and how these numbers compare to five years ago. "America After 3 PM" provides the most comprehensive and accurate picture to date of what this nation's youth are doing each day after school. Overall,…

This study examines the different processes that institutional researchers use to calculate the number of transfers-out for the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) Graduation Rate Survey (GRS), with a particular focus on how the process is influenced by institutional mission and data availability. Policy makers and the public…