Beginning with the assumption that children across the full spectrum of family income, family composition, and prior experience with child care would benefit from being in a well-implemented preschool at 3 and 4 years of age, this working paper focuses on finding a feasible way to finance universal preschool for 4-year-olds. The paper begins with…

This report provides state-by-state information on the characteristics and performance of schools and students in each state, information useful for monitoring the progress and evaluating the success of education reforms. The report contains two-page profiles that report the same indicators for each state and the District of Columbia. The…

This report explores a range of issues related to the successful instruction of literacy-level English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) adults. The paper describes types of programs as well as factors that affect this population. Through a series of teacher interviews, the unique characteristics of these learners as well as suggested curricula are…

This trainer's manual focuses on facilitating collaboration in an educational setting. It begins with tips for trainers to involve training session participants, answer questions and respond to challenges, and evaluate their own performance, along with sample agendas and worksheets used in collaboration training. Each of the next six sections…

This report from a blue ribbon panel of experts convened by Disability Rights Advocates, Inc. and the Oregon Department of Education addresses the interplay between standardized examinations and students with learning disabilities. The report describes in detail the accommodations, alternate assessments, appeals procedures, and other safeguards…

One major component of the efforts to promote the use of technology and distance education in South Dakota and specifically of Phase III of the Connecting the Schools Project-an initiative announced in the spring of 1999 by Governor Janklow that built a statewide intranet among all 176 school districts--was a comprehensive evaluation activity. The…

The Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) is charged with overseeing state higher education resources, guided by two goals: (1) Increasing opportunities for students to earn degrees; and (2) Developing a higher education system responsive to the state's economic needs. Key strategies include the development of new planning tools…

For all the conflict generated by various K-12 education reform efforts, there is one principle everyone agrees on: teachers need to know the subject matter they teach. This principle makes sense to parents, educators, and policy makers alike. On the importance of a teacher's knowledge the views range from those who believe subject knowledge to be…

Families whose native language is not English have been arriving in Arkansas seeking employment in agriculture-related and other industries. School-age children from these families are relatively new to most of Arkansas school districts, and the educational programs necessary to meet their needs in many school districts are relatively new. Over…

This report from the ongoing National Residential Information Systems Project provides statistics on persons with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities (MR/DD) receiving residential services in the United States for the year ending June 30, 1996, as well as comparative statistics from earlier years. Section 1 contains chapters…

Based on 1996 testimony by Margaret Dunkle, director of the Institute of Educational Leadership (IEL) Policy Exchange, before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Youth and Families, this report calls for a rethinking of the federal role for children, youth, and families, encouraging the federal government to…

In compliance with The Master Plan for Higher Education (1985) and Senate Bill 121 (1991), which both establish transfer as a priority for California's colleges and universities, the California Community Colleges (CCC) and the University of California (UC) adopted a collective mission. To provide access and opportunity for students, CCC and UC…

This report provides a comprehensive portrait of America's most vulnerable children and families, gathered as a quick reference to national and state data on the U.S. child welfare system. Data were derived from the Child Welfare League of America's 1996 State Survey of Child Welfare and from U.S. Government agencies and other national sources.…

Nearly every state has adopted or is in the process of adopting content and performance standards for education. This guide summarizes some of the lessons learned in developing standards. It also provides tips and strategies from early leaders in standards development to help educators and policymakers who are working on new forms of assessment.…

A net impact evaluation was conducted of the Ohio JOBS (Job Opportunities and Basic Skills) Student Retention Program (JSRP) pursued by some JOBS program clients to fulfill their responsibilities and receive federal aid. JSRP was a support program designed to assist entry to and success in programs of study at two-year community or technical…