Until recently, teen pregnancy and birth rates had declined in the United States. Despite these declines, U.S. teen birth and sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates remain among the highest in the industrialized world. Given the need to focus limited prevention resources on effective programs, Advocates for Youth undertook exhaustive reviews…

This guide provides a framework and tools for local health department staff in North Carolina who plan and evaluate health education programs. The first section presents health education standards of practice. These standards form a base on which the agency can build quality health education services and help health care practitioners become aware…

Researchers, consulting professionals, and advocating agencies agree that school facility design is one essential component to a safe and successful school. This document addresses design-related concepts that can positively affect school climate and order. It describes and provides facility planning guidelines for crime prevention through…

A study examined the amount and types of cooperation that are occurring between vocational agriculture teachers and county extension agents in North Carolina. The research sample consisted of 194 (49.74 percent) of the state's vocational agriculture teachers and 80 (80 percent) of the state's county extension chairpersons. Sixty-eight percent of…

The Alcohol and Drug Defense Program was created by the North Carolina General Assembly to assist local school systems in developing school-based drug abuse prevention and intervention programs. As a first step, a statewide survey was conducted to examine drug use and attitudes about use among secondary school students in the state's public…

A three-year pilot project was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of implementing a statewide off-road motorcycle training program for beginning drivers in North Carolina. The first year of the program involved approximately 422 students from five locations, the second year involved seven sites across the State. The three basic criteria for the…

This report is one of eight concerning third-grade students to be issued in connection with the North Carolina statewide assessment project. The assessment of mathematics achievement is based on a sample of 5,000 third-grade students, 2,500 using the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS), and 2,500 using state developed objective-based tests (SCORE).…

Helping young children see themselves as learners and movers requires mutual cooperation and support among teachers, families, and children. Physical educators at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, in collaboration with pre-K teachers at two local schools, created the Tots in Action program for that purpose. The authors tell how the…

This is the first of five volumes of essays in the form of recommendations for the improvement of programs, services, and activities offered through vocational-technical education in North Carolina. The volume explains the rationale for, and comments on, 17 recommendations prepared by the State Advisory Council on Vocational Education for fiscal…

This long-range state technology plan for North Carolina is the culmination of a series of research and planning efforts on improving student performance and enhancing the teaching/learning process through the effective use of technology. The plan includes the following components: a mission statement and vision; instructional technology…

In 1996 North Carolinians approved the largest bond issue in the state's history, thus sending a message of support for public schools. The next step is to make sure that the quality of instruction in North Carolina schools matches the new facilities approved by over 70 percent of the state's voters. This report outlines the steps needed to build…

This guide is intended for curriculum planning for social studies in North Carolina. Questions to guide each area of curriculum planning and assessment are included. Sample rubrics for evaluation, sample activities, and numerous suggestions for curriculum planning are contained in this document. Sections of this paper include: (1)…

Educational facility designers have few challenges greater than planning facilities that support programs for exceptional children. These programs are intended to ensure that students with disabilities develop mentally, physically, emotionally, and vocationally to the fullest extent possible in the least restrictive educational environment. This…

Funded by Wake County, the Wake County Public School System, and the city of Raleigh, the Athens Community/School Library is a pilot project intended to provide a full range of services, within budgetary and personnel limits, to the Athens community, as well as a full complement of service to students. The program, as planned, will include…

Describes North Carolina's state-supported programs linking community colleges to industrial training needs. Reviews cooperative skills training centers, state priority programs, new and expanding industry training, and state legislative support. Reviews strategies that have been successful nationally. (DMM)