This document is a compilation of legislation on issues critical to children and families enacted during 1997 by the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The laws pertaining to various issues are listed by state and briefly described. Issues are: (1) abuse and neglect (including background checks and screening, court procedures, financing,…

This publication introduces youth apprenticeship and reports on the experiences of businesses adopting this model. Part I presents the four fundamental components of the youth apprenticeship model--applied academics, on-the-job training, links with postsecondary learning opportunities, and standards and credentials--and posits its use as a…

In 1995, nearly three-quarters of a million high school dropouts, age 16 and above, took the General Educational Development (GED) tests in pursuit of alternative secondary certification. The GED performs the following functions: stimulate human capital investment; measure and assess cognitive skills; certify dropouts with specified skill and…

This study examined issues concerned with the participation of students with disabilities or with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) in Minnesota's Profile of Learning, a taxonomy of learning expectations covering 13 different curricular areas across four different developmental levels (grades 3, 5, 8, and graduation level). Representatives…

This report covers a 3-year project at California State University, Stanislaus, in cooperation with Modesto Junior College (California), to add a non-Western dimension to existing courses and to "internationalize" the curriculum through academically related field projects conducted at a community center serving a large population of…

This final performance report for the Anne Arundel County (Maryland) Public Library literacy project begins with a section that provides quantitative data. The next section compares actual accomplishments to the project goal--to provide county citizens with better access to literacy services--and the following related objectives for 1992-93: (1)…

An exploratory, longitudinal study was undertaken to investigate how student self-assessment, course evaluation, and student evaluation of teaching can be incorporated into university second language instruction. Three issues were addressed: whether students evaluate themselves differently in first, second, and third year classes in the same…

The Tuscarora Intermediate Unit Adult Education and Job Training Center planned, coordinated, delivered, and evaluated a 2-day institute on organizational change and improvement. The 85 agency staff members who attended the institute received an orientation to organizational change and improvement based on the latest theory and methodologies but…

This study analyzed institutional factors that significantly affect cohort default rates at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and assessed the potential for reducing these rates. It has been hypothesized that the HBCUs most successful in lowering student cohort default rates are those that have also succeeded in increasing…

This accountability report is the first in a series of progress reports describing how Washington's community and technical colleges have met their goals for educational programs, student achievement, and responsiveness to their communities. The strengths of the community and technical colleges are preparing a skilled workforce, providing access…

This article discusses the reflections of an early childhood special education professional on her visit to the preschools of Reggio Emilia, Italy. After describing the activities observed, the schools' philosophy, and the schools' environments, the paper discusses how the schools work with children with "special rights" (i.e., special…

A study collected baseline data about the status of teacher preservice Career and Technology Education (CTE) from program chairs at colleges and universities in the United Status. The survey had six sections: pedagogical competencies for CTE teachers, CTE certification process, course delivery, recent program revisions, CTE program demographics,…

This guide is for Neighborhood Networks center staff and volunteers who want to learn how centers across the country are helping adults meet work force demands. It provides resources to work force development programs so examples can be tailored to meet the needs of other communities. It focuses on challenges that integrating academics and job…

This report is an outcome of a project designed to seek, screen, evaluate, describe, and disseminate highly effective approaches used by two-year colleges to serve students with significant disabilities. "Two-year colleges" included academic institutions, technical colleges, and vocational institutes. From a pool of 18 applicants, the…

This report examines the challenges facing young people living in rural Australia in relation to their health and well-being and explores the relevance of personal resilience to offset these challenges. Specifically, the report synthesizes the literature on rural Australian youth and the results of focus groups undertaken in five rural…