Several available summaries of research on coaching for the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) are summarized and their principal findings discussed. Some additional studies, that have been completed since these summaries were reported, are considered and linked to the summaries. The four major meta-analyses considered are those of: (1) Messick and…

On September 30, 1993, Far West Laboratory (FWL) and the California Assessment Collaborative (CAC) sponsored a cost/benefit forum to examine cost-analysis issues associated with the development and implementation of instructionally sound assessment. This report highlights the central ideas addressed at the forum, incorporates the audience…

Application review is the most important part of the Department of Education's funding process and is designed to ensure that projects are worthwhile and that awards are fair and impartial. The critical step in application review is competitive, objective evaluation by reviewers. This workbook was developed by the Department of Education to…

In fiscal year 1995, about 26 million students in about 94,000 schools nationwide were served lunches each day through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). In response to concerns raised about the amount of food thrown away by students (called plate waste), the General Accounting Office (GAO) surveyed a random sample of cafeteria managers in…

The state of Pennsylvania has embarked on a statewide initiative for distance education called the Center for Agile Pennsylvania Education (CAPE) consisting of community colleges and colleges and universities across the state; Duquesne University has joined this state-wide consortium in which members are encouraged to provide courses in areas of…

This study involved the use of "economic reasoning," which refers to the application of the concept of cost-benefit analysis to personal decision making. The study examined the degree of economic reasoning employed by high school seniors who had received instruction in cost benefit analysis. The main purpose of the study was to compare the…

This report examines the background, purpose, cost, and regulatory impact of Senate Bill 1614, the proposed Better Nutrition and Health for Children Act of 1994. The purpose of the act is to reauthorize and make improvements in various federal nutrition programs, such as the National School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act. The report…

The management of school systems by for-profit private contractors is one alternative method of school reform. This document describes some private-management plans and examines some of the central issues. The arrangements between public school systems and three private contractors of education are described--Education Alternatives, Inc. (EAI),…

Calling attention to the continuum of approaches reflected in beginning reading programs, this report presents content and cost analyses for over 50 beginning reading programs. The first of the report's five chapters is an introduction. The second chapter begins with a brief description of the major issues in the area of beginning reading and…

The traditional September-through-June school calendar does not provide enough time to meet students' educational needs. Year-round education helps schools meet the needs of all students and rightfully keeps students from working in industrial jobs until graduation. A longer school year would make better use of school facilities, increase teacher…

This publication is designed to educate high school students about the problems and challenges of transportation. The parent project was conceived as a mathematics curriculum project but developed into an interdisciplinary project to ensure that students would become well informed regarding the transportation decisions they make. In the activities…

This document is intended for state level administrators responsible for planning, developing, and implementing policies and services related to the Infant-Toddler Program (Part H) and the Preschool Program (Part B) of the Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments of 1986. The document is designed to provide a framework for planning and…

This report draws from a study being conducted by William Massy and Andrea Wilger for the Consortium for Policy Research in Education (CPRE). The study examines how academic departments work in order to identify organizational incentives that can improve productivity. The brief offers some definitions of productivity in higher education and…

Guidelines for improving the quality of school facilities in the United States are presented in this document. A national survey conducted by the Educational Research Service of 2,418 elementary and secondary administrators yielded 922 usable responses, which indicated that one building in every eight is an inadequate place for learning. Based on…

This document outlines considerations in the selection of a cost-effective school-alarm system. Steps in the planning process include: conducting a district needs assessment; gathering input from all staff levels; consulting technical expertise; and selecting a security system that can be integrated with other site needs. It further describes the…