This report outlines what is known about the requirements for optimal development during the first 3 years of life, considers the ways in which society might reverse the trends toward risk for families and children, and describes the necessary conditions for families to function well in the interests of their young children. Part 1 describes "the…

This document, the second of five volumes that comprise the final report of the National Assessment of Vocational Education examines some major features of contemporary vocational education: students, teachers, classes, and educational and employment outcomes. The first two chapters address student participation and program quality, as measured by…

The primary purpose of this policy study was to identify and examine early intervention policies for young children at risk of academic failure in selected state education agencies (SEAs) in the North Central Region of the United States. The secondary purpose was to document the processes by which the selected states in the north central…

Four essays are designed to provide perspective and dimension to the Stout Data Analysis and to the Business and Education Survey. The essayists who interpret the Stout and survey data represent the viewpoints of (1) business (David Horn), (2) a researcher in vocational education (Orville Nelson), (3) a vocational educator (Albert Pitts), and (4)…

The development, care, and education of children from birth to age 5 has been the focus of rapidly increasing public interest, and numerous early childhood public policy initiatives have focused attention on a major problem of coordination and collaboration of services for young children. Four segments of services for young children--(1) child…

The fourth annual report on Florida's progress toward excellence in the State University System is presented. A total of 20 "indicators" of quality were used; they include the following seven national measures of efforts toward reaching the upper quartile of state university systems: (1) average full-time faculty salaries, (2) number of…

The fifth annual report on Florida's progress toward excellence in education within its state university system describes the status of the system according to 20 indicators of quality. They include the following seven national measures of efforts toward reaching the upper quartile of state university systems: (1) average full-time faculty…

A study was conducted of four urban middle schools in Boston serving 1,600 students, mostly from low-income minority families, to assess urban public school effectiveness. School level practices were the primary focus of the study, but self-reports of classroom teaching behaviors were also studied in relation to student achievement through…

The Navajo tribe adopted a policy in 1985 that encourages all schools with Navajo students to teach Navajo language and culture in addition to the regular curriculum. A review of the recent studies and literature reveals that most support the concept of bilingual/bicultural education in one form or another. The consensus seems to be that teacher's…

An initiative to promote excellence in South Carolina's higher education system is presented by the State Commission on Higher Education in two documents. The first is a descriptive summary of rationales and recommendations in six areas. The second document is a report which includes and expands the material of the first document. Twenty-five…

This paper provides a perspective on issues among small schools in Canada through an analysis of topics that focus on Ontario. During the early phase of the small school movement, many educators believed that "small" represented a deleterious condition. After researchers examined negative conditions among larger schools, however,…

In the Caribbean, vocational education is provided through both formal and nonformal educational programming. An excellence-oriented vocational teacher education program to prepare individuals to teach in the educational system of the region should incorporate training in the history and philosophy of vocational education, instructional…

Trends on U.S. campuses as of 1986 are reported, with attention to campus actions on assessment and early campus responses to national reports calling for educational reform. Also considered are faculty hiring practices, perceptions about institutional status, changes in enrollment and finances, and international components of academic programs. A…

A task force report recommends ways to promote educational reform in higher education in New Mexico. Forty recommendations address the following areas: institutional missions, academic excellence and accountability, community colleges, student financial aid, affirmative action, economic development, capital outlay, and funding issues. Specific…

A comprehensive plan is provided to support and strengthen New Jersey's 16 independent colleges and universities. Five major challenges that these institutions and the state must collaboratively confront are discussed: strengthening the quality of collegiate education; keeping New Jersey economically competitive in national and world markets;…