Most disadvantaged children have multiple needs that require a comprehensive, integrated approach to service delivery. A recent study of the conditions of children reported the following changes since 1969 that warrant a reassessment of service delivery: (1) the number of children living in poverty has increased; (2) family structure and working…

These standards are provided to promote the achievement of excellence in Maryland's public school prekindergarten programs. To that end, this document delineates standards of quality and provides a list of indicators that concretely describe what a program will look like if the standards are being met. The standards and indicators address seven…

Minimum standards are set forth for the 12 member libraries that currently constitute the Library of Michigan/Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (LM/LBPH) network to ensure that all LM/LBPH network libraries provide uniform, quality service to patrons in the service area. Introductory material includes listings of the Michigan…

Under the Teacher Education Center (TEC) Act in Florida, the state's universities, colleges and public school districts were placed into a collaborative working relationship. Using money allocated by the state, school districts can contract with one or more universities or colleges for the delivery of inservice. This paper illustrates strategies…

This paper discusses the basic content of Titles I and II of Public Law 99-457: the Amendments to the Education of the Handicapped Act, and their implications for providing early intervention services to rural populations. "Title I: Services to Infants and Toddlers" discusses provisions of the law, its rationale, definitions of terms…

In its nine chapters, this summary provides a preview of Connecticut's forthcoming "A Guide to Program Development for Kindergarten, Part 1." Chapter 1 reviews historical antecedents, including Froebel's influence, kindergarten in the United States before 1900, European influences in the early 20th century, American influences, the…

This survey of the nation's state education agencies provides information on geography education in elementary and secondary schools. The questionnaire was sent to all 56 state and extra-state jurisdictions, and covered five areas: (1) state requirements for study of geography; (2) geography as part of other disciplines; (3) state personnel…

Created for use in a workshop designed to increase knowledge and improve understanding of the role of the media coordinator, this manual details the process, and provides the instrument, to be used in the evaluation of school media coordinators in North Carolina. Guidelines provide brief descriptions of each of the six major functional…

The report describes the development and implementation of a statewide (Vermont) service delivery system which employed and trained parents of children with severe handicaps to: (1) work with educators to facilitate their involvement with families, and (2) provide information and support services which addressed individual family needs. The family…

Describes various projects that are part of a movement to return geography to a central place in the curriculum of America's schools. Focuses on the Geographic Education National Implementation Program (GENIP), sponsored by the National Geographic Society and other geography interest groups. (IW)

This issue provides a detailed overview of the Illinois literacy effort, including committee lists, project proposal forms, rules and regulations, financial support information, and a chronology of events. Several articles focus on the planning and implementation of literacy programs and the role of the library in literacy education. (CLB)

Compares eight states on their inservice teacher training programs, changes in the science curricula (including instruction requirements, skill lists, and/or syllabi development), curriculum evaluation, budget-program/personnel commitments, and resources for assistance. These states include Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, Oregon,…

Examines schoolwide improvement programs initiated by four states. Describes successful endeavors of California, Ohio, and Colorado schools to improve curricula and student achievement and the Connecticut schools' strategy to improve principal-teacher communication. Attributes the success of these reform programs to solid leadership skills,…

The success of the South Carolina Assessment Center Project, the first statewide center, is credited to five basic principles that have guided efforts thus far: (1) establish credibility; (2) pay attention to details; (3) apply safeguards; (4) maintain public support; and (5) make the assessment experience humane. (TE)

This document discusses educational assessment and accountability in current educational reform efforts and the implications for students with disabilities. A preface addresses common educational reforms, new laws promoting education reform, and how today's reforms fit with special education. The paper then describes three types of assessment:…