This research brief documents higher education's infrastructure needs, examines the effectiveness of existing financing vehicles and methods, and explores new approaches and methods of financing and long-term investment for buildings, equipment, and facilities. Currently, the bulk of capital funding occurs at the state level, and to a lesser…

In 1991, a study was conducted by Oakland Community College (OCC) to evaluate the need for a proposed plastics and composites technology program for design engineers. General information was obtained through a literature search, from the Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc., the Michigan Employment Security Commission, and interviews with…

In fall 1991, a study was conducted by Oakland Community College (OCC) to evaluate the need for a proposed Technical Writing program. General information was gathered from a literature review, Michigan Occupational Information System data, interviews with professionals in the field, and a 1987 needs assessment conducted by Washtenaw Community…

The Skills Inventory for Teams (SIFT) was developed for early intervention practitioners from a variety of disciplines to help them evaluate their ability to work as part of an early intervention team in identifying and serving young children with disabilities. The Team Member section is designed to help individual team members identify the skills…

In November 1991, teams of elementary school and community members from 11 communities in Massachusetts met to discuss the formation of compacts, or informal agreements describing educational goals and outlining responsibilities, to strengthen the role of families in education: this paper provides a summary of that conference. The first of five…

To assess the effectiveness of the child care delivery system in Evanston, Illinois, a study was conducted of parent and caregiver perceptions of the affordability, availability, accessibility, and quality of local child care services. Questionnaires were distributed to the directors of 14 local child care centers and to 832 parents currently…

The transition from elementary school to middle school or junior high school can be exciting, stressful, scary, and fun all at once for young adolescents. The stress of this transition can either be diffused or augmented by school procedures for introducing these students to the school. In this study, a needs survey was given to a heterogeneous…

This document presents the formal response to the 1989-90 Annual Desegregation Review Part II of the Chicago (Illinois) Public Schools. The Commission found that although progress was made toward goals for the school system, more progress is needed. The Commission made the following recommendations: (1) include summary-form numerical data…

This document presents the formal response to the Chicago (Illinois) Board of Education's annual review of desegregation efforts for 1988-89, which addresses strategies to relieve overcrowding. The Commission found that the document is substantial and detailed in nearly all respects, overcrowded schools should stop permitting students who are…

A review of the Army's troop schools found that the internal control weaknesses in the program first reported over 10 years ago still existed. Expenditures were not justified. Most justifications reviewed were not based on assessed performance deficiencies of individual soldiers, as required, and none documented that troop schools were the most…

This document contains two reports that assess the facilities and equipment needs of two American Indian technical institutions, and suggest 5-year plans. United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck (North Dakota) provides l-year and 2-year vocational-technical programs to about 280 American Indian students. Because most have low incomes and/or…

Use of ethnographic methods to assess learning and staff development needs for workplace adult education programs is discussed, focusing on the teacher's role as ethnographic researcher. Four stages of ethnographic research are identified: (1) open-ended, inductive study; (2) structured observation; (3) analysis; and (4) speculation and sharing of…

This report by the New York State Comptroller states that the state is currently making decisions regarding higher education based on short-term fiscal and political concerns rather than basing such decisions on long-range strategic plans founded on carefully deliberated policies. Specifically, New York has been without a comprehensive review of…

This book establishes a framework that can be used to evaluate software for tracking and analyzing student records. First, it examines the characteristics the user should look for in a student-records management software package. Users should be aware of the dangers and costs of replacing a system or integrating new software into an existing…

Estimates suggest that 20 to 25% of U.S. students change schools each year, and this figure is higher in school districts with a relatively large immigrant population. The guidelines in this technical assistance packet provide strategic suggestions for welcoming newcomers to a school or district, something that has become an essential facet of…