For many librarians, the selection of furniture for a new building or the major refurbishing of an existing facility is a once-in-a-lifetime task. The furniture selection process now involves much more than considering what products are available. The acquisition of furniture and shelving includes the following steps: look at the existing library…

Although poor air quality in a school can have multiple causes, the heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system plays a major role. Suggestions that architects, facilities managers, school board members, and administrators can use in selecting HVAC systems are discussed. Focus is on the performance criteria for classroom systems, and…

To help maintain good indoor air quality (IAQ) in schools, guidance for the development and implementation of an effective program for maintenance and operation of heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems are discussed. Frequently, a building's occupants will complain about IAQ when the temperature or humidity are at uncomfortable…

This report presents findings of the Center for Equal Opportunity's investigation of undergraduate admissions at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). It describes the racial and ethnic composition of UCSD applicants, admittees, rejectees, and enrollees, and the racial and ethnic differences in Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) and high…

Early childhood professionals and others concerned with the welfare of young children believe that voluntary quality guidelines can provide a model for program developers and current operators to use in assuring that program practices are age appropriate, that trained personnel are available, and that facilities are acceptable. These quality…

This paper contrasts two perspectives for evaluating educational programs: (1) a growth curve model of personal development in the sociocultural context; and (2) a narrowing staircase model of educational success. According to the first perspective, development occurs along personal, social, and cognitive dimensions, and arises from the…

This purpose of this guide is to provide qualitative criteria for assessing school library media programs and to furnish a resource for developing and/or improving school library media programs. The intent is to meet the needs of diverse school systems and give direction for implementing library media programs while offering a viable evaluation…

Recognizing the need to support the work of educators and others in evaluating the quality of early childhood programs, this toolkit provides a framework for continuous program improvement based on a 6-phase planning process focused on assessing childrens progress and on analyzing the quality of teaching and organizational effectiveness. The guide…

Accountability for the preparation of tomorrow's teachers and administrators has come to academia with a full head of steam. Congress has declared that it is the institutions of higher education that must be accountable for increasing K-12 student achievement. As required by the 1998 Congress, colleges of education must begin annual submission and…

The reasons for the deterioration of the inspection grades awarded for work-based learning (WBL) provision in England were examined. The main data collection activities were as follows: (1) a statistical analysis of the Training Standards Council (TSC) and Adult Learning Inspectorate (ALI) inspection grades in 1998-2001; (2) a qualitative review…

This report discusses the outcomes of a study that investigated the effects of modifications to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) 1996 assessment designed to encourage the participation of more students with disabilities. Modifications included revising the inclusion criteria with the intention of making them clearer, more…

Early childhood educators are increasingly concerned about the trend toward national standards and national testing. This article addresses issues of assessment in the early years of schooling, prekindergarten through third grade--a period when active, engaged, hands-on learning is most appropriate. Documentation of a kindergarten project on a…

This introduction to a reference guide for early childhood special education personnel in North Dakota discusses the purpose of the guidelines, the North Dakota philosophy on the importance of early intervention programs, and quality indicators of early intervention programs. The highlighted quality indicators of early childhood programs include:…

The One Florida Plan proposes that the State University System (SUS) admit any public high school graduate who: (1) is in the top 20 percent of his or her class; and (2) has completed the 19 credits required for admission. This report examines which 1997-98 high school graduates attending the Florida Community College System (FCCS) in 1998-99…

This booklet discusses the provision of assistive technology through state vocational rehabilitation programs to help individuals with disabilities in employment settings. It reviews vocational rehabilitation eligibility criteria, specific goods and services that can be provided, issues to keep in mind when using this system to obtain assistive…