An evaluation was conducted of a multinational virtual seminar held from January through March 1997 on delivering distance education using the latest technology. The seminar was organized by the University of Maryland University College (Maryland) and the University of Oldenburg (Germany). Participants interacted with experts and, to a…

This publication provides businesses with information on the Missouri Customized Training Program (MCTP), which provides assistance to Missouri businesses in recruiting, training, and retraining of workers. It describes the two types of MCTP training: Skill Training and On-the-Job Training. Employee recruitment options are also discussed. Four…

The returns on continuing vocational training (CVT) in enterprises were examined through a review of research on the returns on employer-provided training. A search of "Econ Lit," ERIC, and other databases identified more than 90 publications on the topic. Twenty-one publications examining the relationship between training inputs and…

The geo-demographic, economic, and infrastructural makeup of 12 African countries (Botswana. Gambia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe) were compared to determine the potential benefits to them of a Commonwealth of Learning (COL) distance education initiative. Data were collected on…

The research and evaluation agenda for the Austin Independent School District (AISD) (Texas) is determined for each school year, subject to current needs and requests. The evaluations and other major projects for 1993-94 will focus on three major areas. First is providing school support. Testing programs mandated by state law and district policy…

This book argues that limited faculty productivity is the major reason why the quality of undergraduate teaching has declined while university tuition has been rising substantially faster than the inflation rate. It stresses that inefficiency and fiscal waste are produced by the competing aims of research and teaching and attacks the academic…

The role that rural libraries could have in increasing the awareness level of disability issues in their communities and in expanding opportunities for the disabled was studied in a survey of 401 rural Indiana and Iowa libraries. A review of the literature associated with rural rehabilitation services suggests that the two crucial barriers to the…

This report responds to the California Legislature's request for an assessment of the impact of intersegmental programs designed to enhance student preparation for college, particularly those students historically underrepresented in postsecondary education. The report focuses on the effectiveness of each program and its components and the extent…

This bulletin examines some questions that arise when children are not ready for promotion: Should they be retained? Who decides? Are there alternatives to retention? What is the effect of retention on the student? Despite research limitations, those who examine the studies on grade repetition say they show that grade retention does not have a…

This study synthesizes completed and current studies about the impact and cost effectiveness of welfare-to-work programs and the different approaches used in various local contexts and for important groups of Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) recipients. Chapter 1 sets forth conclusions and policy implications from the completed…

Following a management summary and introduction, chapters 3 and 4 of this report present findings and recommendations related to the Montgomery County, Maryland, Public Schools process of procuring supplies and equipment (food supplies, fuel oil, warehouse supplies, and maintenance parts) and contractual services (data processing maintenance,…

A four-section annotated bibliography is comprised of sources for information on evaluation intended for non-formal education (NFE) participants. Several themes and issues stand out in the documents cited: (1) the difficulty of isolating impacts and attributing them to a specific educational project; (2) the question of qualitative (focussing on…

Drawing upon published research, reports, and critical analyses, this paper examines the major issues involved in helping private business and industry face the challenge of effectively training limited-English-proficient (LEP) employees. The literature review is part of a larger project that is developing nine demonstration private…

This feasibility study was designed to gather and analyze data to determine the potential cost-effectiveness of year-round education (YRE) compared to traditional-schedule education in California. An expanded version of the Stanford Research Institute's cost model was used to fit a broad conceptualization that enabled school districts with…

This report presents results of Tennessee's 4-year longitudinal class size project: Student Teacher Achievement Ratio (STAR). The study analyzes student achievement and development in three class types: small classes with 13-17 students per teacher; regular classes with 22-25 students per teacher, and regular classes with 22-25 students per…