This research investigated the effects of two contrasting pre-k curricula, relative to practice as usual, on subsequent academic achievement. One curriculum had a strong literacy focus, the other was a less didactic "developmentally appropriate" curriculum that allowed children to have more influence on classroom activities. The purpose…

The Illinois Community College Board provided more than $3.3 million to community colleges during fiscal year 2009 to support local workforce and economic development services through their Business and Industry Centers. The workforce development activities conducted under this grant include customized job training on campus or on-site at a…

As the nation struggles to get back on its feet economically, the colleges and universities are working harder than ever to fulfill their mission: to educate the next generation of workers and citizens. In the West that task is arguably more challenging than elsewhere. The region is highly diverse in terms of both demographics and geography, with…

This study was designed to determine the degree of use, level of client satisfaction of professional development and educational services, and to identify suggestions for improving services. Results from a mixed methodology approach indicated moderate to high levels of satisfaction in two program areas and moderate to high levels of…

"Moving the Needle on Poverty" is designed to provide Colorado leaders with an up-to-date picture of the diverse strategies that states across the nation are pursuing to lift individuals, families, and communities out of poverty. As the report indicates, many states are choosing to set specific and measurable goals for poverty reduction,…

Florida's Bright Futures program is one of the nation's largest merit-based scholarship initiatives. This study used high school transcript and college enrollment data to examine the program's impact on high school course-taking patterns, school grades, college entrance exam scores, and rates of college attendance over time. The study indicates…

Context: Founded in 1971 with state funding to increase the number of primary care physicians in rural Minnesota, the Rural Physician Associate Program (RPAP) has graduated 1,175 students. Third-year medical students are assigned to primary care physicians in rural communities for 9 months where they experience the realities of rural practice with…

This report explores how the states carried out the first year implementation of AmeriCorps, the signature component of the 1993 National and Community Service Trust Act. This initial study is part of a larger study of the effectiveness of the 1993 Act. The report is based on: interviews with the staff of the Corporation for National Service,…

This document provides a process for evaluation of Florida's tech prep programs. It first summarizes the philosophy guiding tech prep activities in Florida and then it outlines the tech prep evaluation process. The evaluation process section includes the following: the goals and objectives of the process; its characteristics; the continuous…

The U.S. Department of Education makes a considerable investment in math and science education each year. This document discusses the Eisenhower Mathematics and Science Education Program, the largest of the Department of Education's programs dedicated to math and science. This program includes: (1) The National Program (funding nearly $16 million…

This manual contains information about the Michigan Documents Depository Library Program as administered by the Library of Michigan, a brief history of the program, the types of publications distributed, and guidance on handling and processing depository shipments. The first section briefly outlines the history of the Michigan documents depository…

This report evaluates the day care needs of Pennsylvania migrant families and the adequacy of current state and local resources and delivery system for meeting those needs. Data collection included a meeting with state program administrators; mail surveys of state, regional, and local agency administrators and staff, and of employers of migrant…

This guide presents scoring criteria, the writing prompt, and sample student papers for the grade 8 end of grade persuasive/argumentative composition statewide writing achievement test. The introductory section presents background information on statewide writing tests in North Carolina, scoring writing samples, and the scoring process. The next…

More than 50 million meals are served annually to Colorado's children through the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Special Milk Program, and Summer Food Service Program for children. Most of this report is comprised of tables showing average daily participation, meals served, and other statistics about school meal programs…

This guide defines apprenticeship as a training program in industrial and craft occupations that require a wide and diverse range of skills and knowledge. It combines supervised on-the-job training and experience with technical classroom studies in subjects related to the trade. Formal apprenticeship training programs must be approved by the U.S.…