Efforts of the Department of Education (ED) to simplify the Pell Grant formula by reducing the number of data elements used to calculate awards (i.e., data element reduction) are evaluated. A framework is developed to assess the critical characteristics of individual data elements, to eliminate elements from the formula, and to develop proposals…

The 15th in a 17-module self-instructional course on student financial aid administration (designed for novice financial aid administrators and other institutional personnel) focuses on internal aid office management and institutional quality control. The course provides a systematic introduction to the management of federal financial aid programs…

This document explains the Youth Training Scheme (YTS) in Great Britain. It is intended for YTS managers, coordinators, and tutors but may also be useful to curriculum and staff developers at colleges and training organizations. The manual begins with an introduction that gives the background and rational for the YTS, and it ends with a 60-item…

The House Subcommittee on Select Education asked the General Accounting Office (GAO) to study the condition of information on education in the United States during selected years between 1973 and 1986. The resulting report covers three areas: (1) the nature and amount of federally sponsored information on education; (2) the quality of such…

The job title, "Home and School Visitor/School Social Worker" (HSV/SSW), suggests an ambiguous and unclear job role requiring a diversity of skills and a wide variety of educational credentials. HSV/SSW personnel (N=271) were surveyed to develop an accurate picture of the HSV/SSW as he/she exists in Pennsylvania today. Survey results…

This report summarizes the work of the Georgia Express project staff and the five task teams that provided research services to the Georgia Task Force on Adult Education. (The purpose of the Task Force was to review Georgia Adult Education's current goals, objectives, and procedures and to make recommendations for program improvement.) The report…

Intended as a general blueprint for monitoring and assessing activities under the Youth Employment and Demonstration Projects Act of 1977, this document discusses the expected constraints, evaluation and assessment tools, the analytic framework, and monitoring and review schedule. Five problem areas are recognized as potential constraints in…

Teacher education programs should be improved, and a system should be developed that will enable the teaching profession to become autonomous. A five-year multi-phase program should be implemented, with high admission standards and grade requirements, and proceed through core courses and field-based experiences to an area of specialization and…

As the second volume in a 4-volume evaluation report on the University of Massachusetts Non-Formal Education Project (UMass NFEP) in rural Ecuador, this volume details the evaluation design. Cited as basic to the evaluation design are questions which ask: (1) What kinds of effects (changes) can be observed? and (2) What are characteristics of the…

The course consists of the basic and simpler methods of inspecting and nondestructive testing of parts and materials to insure the quality and reliability of the finished product. The outline consists of six blocks totaling 135 hours: (1) defects in the metal ingot, (2) defects resulting from processing metals, (3) defects in metals in service,…

Quality is seen as a primitive characteristic of media, but one that can be manipulated in various ways. Since media vary in their "relating power," that is, their ability to involve students, standards of quality also may vary in the ways certain production technique parameters, such as lighting, sound, and exposure, are manipulated. Some media,…

The subject of restructuring teacher education and working toward the improvement of educational opportunities in the schools is addressed. Teacher education faculties often are in power struggles with other faculties in colleges and universities and are often underrated as professionals. Decision-making in regard to teacher education is becoming…

Discusses the need for environmental health inspections in schools. Reports on the results of a survey of Clackamas County (Oregon) school kitchens, in relation to a high incidence of hepatitis A. Describes the variety of violations found and urges that schools no longer be exempt from state health division regulations. (TW)

All schools need to constantly reflect on the quality of their work and the progress and achievements that they make over time. The primary goal of an accountability system is to help schools improve through critical self-reflection. It enables students, teachers, and other members of the school community to evaluate their practices, especially…

This is the last in a series of four policy briefs to be published by The Center for Comprehensive School Reform and Improvement in 2005. The briefs are intended to provide fresh insights and useful advice to policymakers and school assistance providers. The first part of this policy brief breaks down the process of sustaining improvement and…