The process for change undertaken by one early childhood teacher preparation program is described. While the changes were spurred in part by increasing emphases on standards and assessment systems, faculty noted concerns with how this framed the program and with how students negotiated learning in this system. After describing these concerns, the…

A study of the legal and regulatory barriers to the expansion of family day care in New York State identified the following as primary barriers: a fragmented licensing system, multiple agency regulation, attempted regulation by municipalities through exclusionary zoning, and widespread provider noncompliance and lack of enforcement of the…

Citing the rising frequency of automobile recalls as proof of the decline of the automobile industry, this article humorously proposes six suggestions for reforming the industry. The suggestions are remarkably similar to recent proposals for the reform of schooling. (PGD)

All concerned citizens are volunteers. Only when they organize together can change be achieved. (MR)

Criteria, evidence, and judgment are the three essential elements in evaluation, which should be done with a view to contributing to present and future programs. (NL)

Educational improvement is feasible even under adversity if one focuses on important problems one at a time and seeks creative approaches to maintaining quality. (SK)

As the proportion of the population over retirement age increases, so does the need to provide education to prepare people for this period of their lives. The author gives some examples and suggestions of the kind of retirement education which can help people to face their retirement with confidence. (Author/CT)

Presents five ways to improve inservice teacher education in Alberta, Canada. (Author/RH)

The Program Quality Criteria include ten components designed to help validate a comprehensive career and technical education (CTE) program. Upon a self review or third party review, any program may use this instrument to determine how the program has made progress in its development. The review instrument is not designed as an evaluation tool,…

With the recent enactment of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006, Congress has demonstrated overwhelming bipartisan support to continue the country's federal investment in career and technical education. This document, the "Nevada State Five-Year Plan for the Carl D. Perkins Act of 2006," referred hereinafter…

During the last decade, policy and public attention have focused increasingly on the out-of-school hours, and programs to fill this time have proliferated for children and youth. These programs serve varying purposes, including providing child care and a safe haven, improving academic performance, enhancing general youth development, allowing…

The author considers whether current evaluation practice is of value to the Cooperative Extension System. Evaluation use and influence in Extension are characterized through literature review and examination of case examples informed by correspondence with study authors. The more than 675 evaluations examined consistently yielded specific and…

Soon after the author began her first year as a Teach for America (TFA) corps member, she realized how underprepared she felt teaching first grade. Although she grew as an educator over time and still committed to working in education, it was an uphill battle. And, like most other TFA corps members, she left teaching within the first three years.…

Museums for America (MFA) is the largest IMLS grant program for museums; it supports institutions by investing in high-priority, high-value activities that are clearly linked to the institution's strategic plan and enhance its value to its community. MFA grants situate projects within a framework of meeting three strategic goals: engaging…