Technological advancements and the "back to basics" movement have resulted in less emphasis on teaching about the fine arts. Arguments against this trend and suggestions for improving arts programs are offered. (DF)

Describes the individualized program of Mountain Open High School which at first coincidentally resembed Maurice Gibbons'"Walkabout" concept and was subsequently more consciously shaped by theory. Students move through three phases culminating in challenging independent projects of practical use. (MJL)

An outline of the characteristics of exemplary schools is presented in a discussion of the effective schools movement. Research on the implementation process of a pilot program explores a plan for school improvement. A view of effective school research and school improvement from a political perspective is offered. (DF)

The purpose of this article is to describe one agency's effort to obtain feedback by devision a low-cost follow-up mail survey. The article also attempts to determine how the results of this survey could be translated into more effective treatment than is currently being provided. (Author)

This document is the final report of the McGregor-funded High/Scope training initiative, a system-wide approach to improving the quality of early childhood programs in the Detroit metropolitan area. The 3-year project was based on the validated High/Scope educational approach and training model, which advocates hands-on active learning for both…

In February 1998, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) developed and published a report called "An Action Strategy for Improving Achievement in Mathematics and Science" which laid out a series of strategies for improving achievement in mathematics and science. To facilitate the implementation of some of…

This book is based on the understanding that fostering a sense of wonder and appreciation for the natural world is important to the development of young children and the preservation of planet Earth. It is also based on the belief that experiences children have early in life impact the attitudes and behaviors they carry with them throughout their…

In their search for new ways to assess their agencies' success in working with children and families, child welfare administrators and senior managers are increasingly seeking regular and reliable sources of information that help them evaluate agency performance, make ongoing decisions, and provide an accurate picture for agency staff and external…

A collaborative publication between Harvard Family Research Project and The Finance Project, this brief offers guidance in documenting progress and demonstrating results in local out-of-school-time programs. Following introductory remarks providing a rationale for program evaluation, discussing principles of program evaluation, and clarifying key…

In anticipation of the 35th anniversary of Project Head Start, the National Head Start Association (NHSA) launched a national initiative to discover how Head Start can best serve children and families in the new millennium. A series of hearings and open forums were conducted throughout the country in 1999, along with a special session featuring…

There has been concern in New Zealand about whether the level and pace of licensing and chartering Pacific Islands early childhood centers (PIECCs) are sufficient to meet current needs. This study identified obstacles to the attainment of licensed and chartered status as assessed by key informants from agencies working with Pacific Islands…

Even Start is a federally funded program addressing the literacy needs of children and parents by offering parenting education, early childhood education, parent and child together time, and adult education. Noting that recent research on brain development and learning prompts a reexamination of beliefs and practices related to child rearing,…

Discusses steps vocational educators must take to avoid intrusion of industry-government performance contracting. (SB)