Discusses the uses of surveys, notes the types of survey instruments available, and provides examples of survey instruments to assess teacher competencies and student reading behavior. Suggests that surveys are especially useful for providing information for two sections of grant applications: the needs assessment and comprehensive planning…

Development of a learning center designed to aid classroom teachers in meeting the needs of physically disabled children returning to the regular classroom is described. (LH)

To obtain financing for an energy conservation program the person responsible must have credibility, document actual savings, and furnish research reports about systems requested. (MLF)

Suggests that reading be taught through the social studies and by the experience approach on the elementary school level. An activity is described in which a short story, "Ann's Special Family," provides the focus for developing vocabulary and bringing real-life experiences into focus. (DB)

Discussion of the morale-building as well as the body-building required of a top-level competitive tennis team is presented. (LH)

The authors define a needs assessment, consider issues involved in conducting a problem-focused needs assessment, and outline practical considerations in conducting needs assessment for inservice training in regular education. (CL)

The article discusses the application of business and industry-derived training techniques, strategies, and ideas to the in-service training of special education and regular teachers. Three scenarios are presented to illustrate serious deficiencies in providing training at the local, regional, and state levels. (DLS)

Focuses on some important aspects of managing training activities, such as arranging program logistics, obtaining/hiring program resource people, preparing budgets and plans, training and supervising personnel and managing leadership. (CSS)

Discusses the necessary first steps in preparing in-service business communication programs. (RL)

A curriculum planning model is presented to develop a comprehensive special education teacher preparation program. (CL)

Suggestions are given for operating quality programs for gifted children on limited budgets. Considered are alternatives such as cluster grouping, use of parent and community volunteers, and use of community resources and services. (CL)

Describes how to identify gifted and talented children and develop programs for them. (DD)

Experience at Washington University (Missouri) illustrates the importance of careful media relations planning, including pinpointing what the institution wants to accomplish, establishing ground rules, and working with the institution's communications team to draw up a media relations plan. Planning steps are outlined. (MSE)

A transition program was developed which pairs learning-disabled high-school juniors with mentors. Mentor/protege teams work cooperatively to complete tasks related to the individual protege's goals. Preliminary results show increased graduation and postsecondary enrollment rates. (Author/PB)

The Oak Park and River Forest High School (Oak Park, Illinois) Behavior Disordered Program Continuum has attempted mainstreaming of behavior-disordered students in a systematic, gradual manner. This paper describes the program, defines the role of support personnel and the unique role of the mainstream facilitator, and presents mainstreaming…