About a third of students entering high school do not graduate and face limited job prospects. The No Child Left Behind Act requires states to use graduation rates to measure how well students are educated. To assess the accuracy of states' rates and to review programs that may increase rates, GAO was asked to examine (1) the graduation rate…

Multicultural education and multiculturalism have emerged in the post-1989 era as important movements intended as a means of explaining and understanding today's pluralistic societies. Problematic is the ubiquitous usage of the term, as well as the fact that multiculturalism and multicultural education have different meanings and usage in the…

This monograph, one of a series on youth with disabilities and the juvenile justice system, reviews current data on disabilities requiring special education and related supports. Statistics on the prevalence of juvenile crime are followed by statistics on the prevalence of special education disabilities in the system, specifically specific…

This publication analyzes current eligibility classifications and criteria used by states to identify young children in need of special education and related services. Data were retrieved from the World Wide Web and/or provided by coordinators of the state Part B-Section 619 programs, including the District of Columbia, American Samoa, and Guam,…

This book provides a full examination of sexual harassment as an ethical issue in education. It considers issues raised by the definition, understanding, and regulation of campus sexual harassment and addresses the arguments that regulation may conflict with academic freedom and choice in relationships. Part 1 contains these chapters: (1) "Sexual…

This digest is intended to help parents support young children's literacy learning. It begins with definitions of literacy and then follows with suggestions for parent involvement in children's early literacy development, based on recommendations from the National Reading Panel. It also lists 23 additional resources (organizations, books,…

This paper presents some ideas to preschool educators and policy makers about how to make validated educational models central in standards for preschool education and care programs that are available to all 3- and 4-year-olds. Defining an educational model as a coherent body of program practices, curriculum content, program and child, and teacher…

This fact sheet, written in both English and Spanish, provides a definition, information on incidence, typical characteristics, and educational implications of epilepsy. It notes that epilepsy is classified as "other health impaired" under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and that children with epilepsy or seizure disorders…

This fact sheet on speech and language disorders is presented in English and Spanish. It provides information on the definition of speech and language disorders and possible causes; the incidence (about one in ten people); and characteristics of delayed communication, speech disorders, and language disorders. It notes educational implications,…

Many evaluators are convinced that Results-based Performance Measurement (RBPM) is an effective tool to improve service delivery and cost effectiveness in both public and private sectors. Successful RBPM requires self-directed and cross-functional work teams and the supporting infrastructure to make it work. There are many misconceptions and…

This paper updates the discussion of Francoys Gagne's Differentiated Model of Giftedness and Talent (DMGT), which proposes a clear distinction between these two most basic concepts in the field of gifted education. Under the DMGT model, giftedness is defined as the possession and use of untrained and spontaneously expressed superior natural…

As new communications media have developed, discussion of the definition of "distance education" (DE) has increased. The following defining features of DE have been proposed: geographically remote, two-way communication; use of one or more technical media; mass delivery; control of educational institution; and predominance of independent…

A study was conducted to explore empirically the effect of different definitions of the target examinee on the judgment of panelists setting a passing score. Two cut score studies were done in a school district for the same test within a 6-month period, and different definitions of the target candidate were provided for each study. In October…

Discussed talent search programs and their objectives, such as finding disadvantaged students who, with developmental assistance and financial support, could profit from additional education and training, and then counsel these students and help them find academic admission and occupational placement. (Author/RK)