A r c h i v e d I n f o r m a t i o n

Biennial Evaluation Report - FY 93-94

Chapter 621

Educational Partnerships Program

(CFDA 84.228)

I. Program Profile

Legislation: Educational Partnerships Act of 1988, Title VI, Subtitle A, Chapter 5 of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988, P.L. 100-418 (20 U.S.C. 5031-5039) (Expired September 30, 1993).

Purpose: To encourage the creation of alliances between public elementary and secondary schools or institutions of higher education and representatives of the private sector in order to: 1) work together on school improvement projects, 2) enrich the career awareness of secondary or postsecondary school students and provide exposure to the work of the private sector, and 3) encourage businesses to work with educationally disadvantaged and gifted students.

Funding History

Fiscal Year	Appropriation
1990	$3,703,000
1991	4,233,000
1992	4,233,000
1993	4,l35,564
1994	0

II. Program Information and Analysis

Population Targeting

Funds are awarded to eligible partnerships consisting of one or more local education agencies or institutions of higher education, or both, and one or more of the following: a business concern, a community-based organization, a non-profit private organization, a museum, a library, an educational television or radio station, or an appropriate State agency. Funds may be used for a variety of school improvement activities in public elementary and secondary schools or in institutions of higher education. In FY 1992 and FY 1993, only those projects focusing both on fundamental educational improvement through systemic change and Goal 3 of the National Education Goals were funded.

Services

In FY 1993, four new grants that focus on fundamental educational improvement through systemic change and Goal 3 were awarded a total of $1,075,042. An additional $2,757,680 was awarded for continuation projects. Another $257,963 was awarded to complete the 3rd-year evaluation of these grants. The 4-year projects supported under this program represent a broad range of activities such as programs for gifted and talented and disadvantaged students, curriculum reform projects, mentoring and career awareness activities, transition from school-to-work projects, systemic reform projects, coordinated social services, and Statewide projects. Projects include school districts, universities, community colleges, community and social service agencies, nonprofit organizations, museums, parents' organizations, business/industry, and State education agencies. Each project works with a variety of partners. A total of 30 projects in 20 states have been funded since FY 1990.

III. Sources of Information

Program files.
A Guide to Developing Educational Partnerships. (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Education; also, Superintendent of Documents s/n 065-000-00619-7. $4.25 per copy.)
Project Abstracts: Educational Partnership Program. (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Education, October, 1993.)
Synthesis of Existing Knowledge and Practice in the Field of Educational Partnerships. (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Education; also, Superintendent of Documents s/n 065-000-0061-9. $3.50 per copy.)
"Documentation and Evaluation of the Educational Partnerships Program: Yearly Reports." (Los Alamitos, CA.: Southwest Regional Laboratory.)

IV. Planned Studies

The Department is completing a study of projects funded under this program to determine the impact on participating elementary and secondary schools and institutions of higher education; the extent to which activities assisted under this program have improved or expanded the nature of support for elementary and secondary education; and which activities show promise for expansion or adaptation to other settings. Also to be studied is the relationship between the matching funds (cash or in-kind support) requirement and project success and institutionalization. This study began in FY 1991 and completion is projected for March 31, 1995.

V. Contacts for Further Information

Program Operations:: Susan Gruskin, (202) 219-2116
Program Studies:: Robert Glenn, (202) 401-1958

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