Studied the New Millennium High School Model in Florida in a multisite case study of the original 10 sites involving interviews with 15 school leaders and 530 school personnel. Findings show the essentially grassroots nature of the model and the functioning of school leadership in this context. (SLD)

Separated Massachusetts colleges and universities into three categories to examine their differentiated responses to teacher testing in Massachusetts, where poor results have resulted in much controversy. The finding that institutions of higher education have responded effectively to teacher testing does not preclude critique of teacher testing as…

Responses from 35 of 52 state tech prep coordinators indicated that 77% had evaluation plans; 68.6% had mechanisms for identifying tech prep students. Most frequent evaluation components were articulation, staff development, curriculum, and marketing. Most used evaluation criteria were job placement, postsecondary enrollment, graduation rate, and…

Evaluation of changes in Maryland's unemployment insurance (UI) program found that duration and amount of UI receipt were reduced by requiring additional employer contacts or a job-search workshop; these requirements did not affect employment and earnings. However, eliminating employer contact requirements increased UI receipt and subsequent…

Reviews the history of initial teacher licensure testing in the United States and summarizes issues and problems, focusing on Massachusetts, a state that has only recently begin initial licensure testing. Provides information on past practices and a table of current state approaches to teacher licensure. (SLD)

Research has shown that preschool education is a sound investment--academically, socially, and economically. Offers some options for integrating the existing patchwork of U.S. public and private programs into a uniform system that provides a high-quality early education to all young children. (Contains 13 references.) (MLF)

Studied the implementation of a state-funded restructuring initiative that intended broad changes in teacher roles aimed at higher student achievement. Multiple data sources from three schools indicate that the observed changes in professional roles were not well enough established to affect core educational practice in the long run. (SLD)

Studied teacher evaluation practice in 27 North Carolina school districts 14 years after the initial implementation of the North Carolina Teacher Appraisal System. Findings show more inconsistencies in practice and less support for the system than would be desirable. (SLD)

Responses from 45 of 50 state correctional education directors indicated that, following the ban on Pell Grants for inmates, 25 states still offered college programs, with funding from state and federal agencies, corporations, foundations, universities, and inmates. States most likely to have college programs had higher total population and higher…

Reports results of a survey of state library agencies' research on public library operations and services. The appendix provides information on the contact person, the title of the study, and availability of materials for the 29 agencies responding to the survey. A copy of the questionnaire is included. (13 references) (MES)

Considers the need for family literacy programs and library involvement in such programs. National organizations and local library programs devoted to family literacy are described, and the California State Library's Families for Literacy Program, which provides funding for local library family literacy programs, is discussed. (MES)

The California Relay Services (CRS) is a statewide 24-hour dual-party relay system which is designed to bridge the communication gap between the hearing-impaired and the normal-hearing community by using communication assistants to relay calls between those without Telecommunication Devices for the Deaf (TDDs) and TDD-users. (DB)

Relates the history of First Impressions, an early childhood initiative in Colorado. Insights gleaned from the First Impressions story are offered for advocates of early childhood education. (BG)

Findings from an outcome evaluation of the California AIDS Education and Prevention Program, the largest of its kind in the country, are presented. Specific programs suffered from design defects that made it impossible to accurately determine their effectiveness. Attitude and behavior change was not properly addressed by the programs. (TJH)

To address the education and training needs of the current and emerging work force, states must take leadership in developing partnerships between adult educators, community-based organizations, and the private sector. Other strategies include special training funds, resources for high demand occupations, entrepreneurship training, and tax credits…