Although program evaluations using rigorous quasi-experimental or experimental designs can inform decisions about whether to continue or terminate a given program, they often have limited ability to reveal the mechanisms by which complex interventions achieve their effects. To illuminate these mechanisms, this article analyzes novel text data from…

The Mastery-Based Learning Collaborative (MBLC) is a demonstration project taking place in 47 schools across Washington to help decision makers understand what quality mastery-based (or competency-based) learning looks like, how long it takes to implement, and what resources are necessary. The schools receive funding, coaching, and professional…

One factor that may facilitate a successful reunification of children in foster care with their parents--or failing that, provide an alternate route to permanency through adoption or guardianship--is children's connections with extended family. However, because foster care frequently disrupts social connections, practitioners may need to take…

This document was produced by the authors based on their research for the report, "Family Finding Evaluations: A Summary of Recent Findings. Publication #2015-01," and is an added resource for further information. The report reviews the results from 13 evaluations of Family Finding. The Family Finding model provides child welfare…

In 2009, the federal government committed over $3 billion nationwide to help states and districts turn around their worst-performing schools. The U.S. Department of Education intended for the School Improvement Grants (SIGs) to spur dramatic change.This report looks at the results of a field study of the first-year implementation of those grants…

Diversified Occupations was initiated as an approved statewide program in Washington in 1970. It is a cooperative effort between the school and the local business community, enabling students to acquire, refine and utilize job skills in actual paid employment with the help of an instructor who is a highly skilled professional in that occupation.…

Proceedings of a workshop on program review in postsecondary education and a report of a program review study are presented. The workshop was designed to acquaint participants with the changing academic planning environment, to provide a better understanding of the purposes of program review, and to exchange ideas for improving procedures. Its…

The Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) of the state of Washington is charged with the responsibility for approval of new degree programs to be offered by public four-year institutions. It is responsible for the review and approval of both on- and off-campus programs, including branch campus offerings. This report offers guidelines and…

Designed for newly appointed vocational directors in Washington's community colleges, this handbook provides an overview of the functions associated with the administration of vocational education programs. Following a section outlining the role and qualifications of the vocational director, information is presented on the personnel…

A study piloted a new approach to assessing the effects of changes in funding for state grant programs on college assistance. Analysis of Washington's state grant program indicates that an increase in state funds for need-based grants in 1993-1994 resulted in improved within-year persistence in public four-year universities. It is concluded that…

In 1995, Gonzaga University embarked on a project to implement a university-wide information system. The search for an "out-of-the-box" solution began following an attempt to build an integrated data management system in-house. In 1994, Gonzaga decided to look at commercial solutions to its database management problems. With the blessing…

This report, the first in a three-volume study evaluating federally-supported day care in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, contains a discussion of various issues related to the use of federal standards for day care services and presents four optional strategies for upgrading the quality of day care in the four states. Each strategy includes…

This report is divided into five major components. Part 1 contains a brief description of middle schools as they have developed throughout the U.S. since the beginning of this century. Part 2 reviews the history of middle schools as they have evolved in the Seattle School District. Emphasis is placed on the role that the district's mandatory and…

Guidelines are presented to ensure the equality of athletic programs for males and females in the Washington state schools. This guide is designed as a foundation for the development of local school and district athletic programs. The essential components for athletic program equality in Washington are: (1) athletic equity plan development; (2)…

This report, the third in a three-volume study evaluating day care in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, contains a profile of various day care characteristics and an estimate of the potential impact of the proposed federal day care requirements on current day care costs in the four states. The profile includes data describing the definitions…