Discusses the development of the National Assessment of Educational Progress and describes how its methods and materials are being used in Nebraska, Connecticut, Maine, and other states as a tool to improve educational programs. (Author/JG) Aspect of National Assessment (NAEP) dealt with in this document: Results (Utilization).

Criterion-referenced measurement is valuable and useful in evaluating instruction in areas of the pharmaceutical curriculum in which a minimal knowledge base independent of peer group performance is necessary. Implications of its use are discussed. (LBH)

A historical account is given of how a conventional university first-year undergraduate course in zoology has been replaced by a self-instructional one. Advantages and problems are weighed, and successful student achievement and interest are described. (LBH)

Attention to instructional methods can prevent the decline in student achievement that parents fear will accompany mandated desegregation. (IRT)

Describes a behavior modification program that has proved effective with boys with learning and behavior problems. (SB)

An environmental attitude scale instrument was designed to test the effects of ongoing nature center programs on the attitudes of sixth graders. This research indicated current environmental education methods examined made little impact on the environmental attitudes of sixth graders and inner-city pupils require a different kind of environmental…

Results of a five-city pilot project on information and referral (I&R) services--the nature of I&R, the public library's role, evaluation of the three-year program, the project's implications, and the future of I&R. (LS)

Presently, state and federal school accountability efforts require greater attention to performance measures, such as the graduation rate, which serve as key indicators of a school's success in educating its student population. AZLEARNS, Arizona's school accountability system, includes a school classification system based on a set of performance…

On March 11 and 12, 2004, the United States Department of Education (ED) and the Character Education and Civic Engagement Technical Assistance Center (CETAC) hosted a meeting to discuss the challenges in evaluating the Partnerships in Character Education grant. The meeting goals were to: (1) Receive information regarding the implementation of…

Successfully implementing a vibrant school improvement plan requires a thorough knowledge of the program and the savoir-faire of an enthusiastic, experienced leader. Though you may have a deep understanding of the components and implementation procedures of The Schoolwide Enrichment Model, don't you wish you could get some personal advice from…

Although school administrators consider supporting and sustaining teachers' professional development a priority, more pressing day-to-day imperatives often eclipse this goal. "Supporting and Sustaining Teachers' Professional Development" specifically targets busy school principals who want practical suggestions for how to balance these everyday…

Research shows that children benefit when they are served by stable and highly trained center-based staff and caregivers. Responding to the unequal distribution of child-care supply across the state and a need for well-trained caregivers, First 5 California approved an initiative to train early care and education (ECE) staff using different…

This is a summary of external recognition achieved by the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST). Data were collected as part of the institution's accreditation efforts and included information on three types of external recognition: (1) formal accreditation or program evaluation; (2) other external recognition of a…

This Research for Practice examines the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) program at the South Idaho Correctional Institution. The program targets parole-violating inmates with substance abuse problems in an effort to reduce recidivism. Researchers conducted a 15-month evaluation of the program's process to identify strengths and…

Congress created Early Head Start in 1995 to support healthy prenatal outcomes and enhance intellectual, social, and emotional development of infants and toddlers to promote later success in school and in life. This policy brief summarizes findings of the Congressionally mandated National Evaluation of Early Head Start and offers policy…