This brief from the Region 2 Comprehensive Center, in consultation with the New York State Education Department, presents seven state case studies that illustrate the implementation of performance-based assessments. It contributes to the growing research on performance-based assessment, highlighting specific state-level policies that include…

The use of paraprofessional services is an established and crucial aspect in the pursuit of a free and appropriate public education for students with disabilities (Etscheidt, 2005). Paraprofessionals are often the primary providers of instruction for students with severe disabilities yet are the least trained instructional personnel in schools…

Considerable research has been conducted on the use of the findings of program evaluation, but little, if any, attention has been paid to the soundness of the methods of this research. If the methods are not sound or not well described in the research, the strength of the conclusions of the research is unknown. The authors examine the empirical…

A case study of a particular approach to solving the problem of using data to improve decision making within a particular secondary school is presented. The first section of the paper describes: The Setting, The Original Model for the School, Original Commitment to Research and Evaluation, Teachers as a Focus of Effort, Inadequate Understanding of…

The Academy for Educational Development (AED) sent a research team to Western Oregon University (WOU) on November 17-18, 2008, to conduct interviews with individuals who play important roles in the university's teacher preparation program. These interviews, along with additional materials provided by WOU and identified by the AED research team,…

This document is one of a series of reports which describe the experiences of six state agencies that are developing systems to affect the development and implementation of policy in the federal/state program for vocational rehabilitation. The state programs are developing model program evaluation/management information support units. This second…

The experience-based career education program was intended to have students participate in a variety of individualized activities designed to provide meaningful learning experiences in basic skills, life skills, and career development. Approximately 50 high school juniors and seniors participated in the project on a full-day basis, dividing their…

The nature of educational evaluation and its interaction with policy in six state departments of education is examined. Case reports of research and evaluation units are presented for Virginia (by Gerald W. Bracey), Michigan (by David L. Donovan and Stanley A. Rumbaugh), Washington (by Alfred F. Rasp, Jr.), South Carolina (by Paul D. Sandifer),…

Evaluation conducted during the 1974-75 school year of the Experience-Based Career Education (EBCE) program at Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory (NWREL) is reported, focusing on the evaluation findings of the EBCE demonstration project in Tigard, Oregon called Community Experiences for Career Education (CE)2, and various EBCE…

The Experience-Based Career Education (EBCE) program was designed to provide on-site vocational experiences for high school youth in order to promote: (1) career development skills and knowledge; (2) self-knowledge--interests, abilities, and values; (3) reading skills; (4) problem solving skills; (5) oral communication; (6) writing skills; (7)…

This document examines screening and assessment for physical and mental health conditions that impact Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients' ability to work. The document begins by defining screening and assessment and discussing their relevance for agencies serving TANF recipients. The next section answers policy questions…

The Employment Retention and Advancement (ERA) project was undertaken to identify effective strategies for helping low-income parents work more steadily and advance in the labor market. The 15 ERA demonstration projects that were operating in nine states (California, Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, South Carolina; Tennessee, and…