The articles contained in this volume on second language writing evaluation focus on the evaluation of academic English learned as a second language (ESL). Essays include: "Assessment by Misconception: Cultural Influences and Intellectual Traditions" (Brigid Ballard, John Clanchy); "Reading the World Differently: A Cross-Cultural Approach to…

Even Start is a family-centered national literacy program whose goal is to break the cycle of poverty and illiteracy by expanding the educational opportunities available to low-income families with limited educational experiences. To reach this goal, all Even Start projects provide services in each of three core areas: adult education, parenting…

A recent National Research Council study, "Improving Schooling for Language-Minority Children: A Research Agenda" examined the status of bilingual education research and the direction of future studies. The report is discussed here, in a format corresponding to the report's sections on domains of research and practice: bilingualism and…

The first-year evaluation of a two-way Spanish/English bilingual education program at two Austin (Texas) elementary schools is presented. The developmental program has as its objectives the development of students' oral proficiency in Spanish and English, development of grade-level appropriate literacy in both languages, increase in academic…

The Australian engineering company, Jaques, and Swinburne University of Technology conducted a joint project to write more than 190 operating instructions for the company's 77 employees. First, the university's Workplace Skills Unit (WSU) interviewed 75 production workers to identify their language, literacy, and training needs. The WSU negotiated…

An evaluation of the foreign language programs of the Des Moines (Iowa) Public Schools is presented. It is divided into six ares: (1) Introduction; (2) Context Evaluation; (3) Input Evaluation; (4) Process Evaluation; (5) Product Evaluation; and (6) the Future. Sections include: a statement of program mission and philosophy; notes on the context…

A 1993-97 study researched the evolution of Intermediate and Advanced General National Vocational Qualifications (GNVQs) in Britain. Data were collected from a nationally representative sample of 225 centers; 5,100 GNVQ students were surveyed individually. Findings indicated that, of the 5 original and 10 added GNVQ subjects, GNVQ programs were…

These 18 papers were presented at a conference designed to share the diversity of ways that the Career Orientation and Planning Profile (COPP) is being used to conduct effective career guidance programs by selected career guidance educators throughout the United States. The publication begins with a brief tribute to Dr. Shigekazu Fukuyama…

This report of a workshop on various aspects of adult learning and education contains the following papers: "Take This Job And Shape It: Using Journal Writing to Enrich Your Professional Life" (David Shallenberger, Phyllis Walden); "Assessing Math Skills of Adult Learners" (Betty Hurley Lawrence); "Using Visual Arts for Cultural Analysis: Adult…

This paper reports and discusses some of the results of a comprehensive survey of approximately 3,000 1985-90 graduates of 11 teacher education programs in the Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, and Southwest. Forty-nine percent graduated from 4-year programs, 36 percent from integrated 5-year programs, and 14 percent from fifth-year (graduate only)…

This guide is designed to assist in defining the role and responsibilities of vocational preparation (VP) teachers in Missouri. Section 1 discusses the role of the VP teacher in instructing and preparing students from special populations in prevocational skills essential to completing a vocational program. Section 2 summarizes relevant…

This study analyzed state policies on the identification and education of gifted students as reflected in legislation, regulations, rules, recommendations, and guidelines provided by 49 states. The elements examined include: (1) state mandated services, (2) district plans for the gifted, (3) gifted education as part of special education, (4)…

In 1989, Valmont Industries, a global manufacturer of steel lighting poles, center pivot irrigation systems, and other technologies and Metropolitan Community College began to work closely to address the basic skills training needs of Valmont workers. This partnership provided a unique educational opportunity for both Valmont employees and the…

The report describes and assesses an adult literacy program for Hmong immigrant adults in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The overall approach was to assist students in developing a new communication system using principles of intercultural communication and community networking. The instructional model had four components: native language literacy…

This report provides an end-of-year summative evaluation of the STEPS (Striving Toward Excellence in the Performance of Students) program, which was first implemented in elementary schools in 1983-84. The program, which is based on research on effective schools, focuses on school improvement efforts in six areas: (1) aligning instruction with…