Defines the problem and causes of homelessness, suggests a comprehensive policy approach, and describes its implementation in Massachusetts. (CMG)

Estimates the proportion of service and nonservice expenditures within a state aging department. In Massachusetts the ratio was $0.70 to $0.30 (service to nonservice) both for the state's Home Care Programs and for all activities. (JAC)

A holistic counseling program established in the public schools of Ashland, Massachusetts, is presented. The role of the holistic counselor is described as counselor, consultant, educator, psychological evaluator, and liaison to community agencies. The advantages and disadvantages of this approach are reviewed including: (1) increased…

This paper reports on the High/Scope National Policy Conference, which was concerned with the process of designing good early childhood legislation and the political processes that enhance or impede legislative passage. Discussion began with an overview of the range of options facing policymakers as they attempt to design legislation or write…

A plan for teacher education proposed by a special Massachusetts state panel is discussed. The report calls for: elimination of traditional undergraduate education major, a master's degree for all new teachers, a redesigned master's degree program that would emphasize classroom teaching, and designation of certain schools as teacher-development…

In compliance with the Massachusetts Public School Improvement Act of 1985, this report provides information in the following areas: research findings; national and state demographics regarding children and families; services for children and families in Massachusetts; high quality early childhood programs; and the emerging role of public schools…

The development of community-based alternatives to institutional care for juvenile offenders should be based on (1) a clear conceptualization of what "community-based" means, (2) intervention efforts that consider the context of the clients' social relationship networks; and (3) resolution of professional and territorial conflicts.…

Although much is written about the importance of parent/teacher communication with emphasis on the significant impact of parent/teacher conferences, teachers report a lack of formal training. Neither institutions of higher education nor the public schools appear to provide clear policy and procedure for parent/teacher conferences. Thus, teachers…

This report represents a summary of findings from a research project to determine the availability of data concerning occupationally oriented training and education programs. Part I describes the types of data available regarding education and training programs--what information about which programs and providers is available from what source. It…

Describes a school guidance program for single-parent families in Brookline, Massachusetts, designed to assimilate single-parent families into public schools. Outlines key elements in the program including: (1) needs assessment; (2) concrete response by school personnel to expressed and underlying transitional needs; and (3) evaluation of new…

The Massachusetts Board of Education Task Force on Public School Youth, Education, and Employment concluded that, in general, the structure of effective policy in the area of preparing youth for employment was already in place. Given changes in workplace requirements and problems schools currently face, however, it was determined that the State…

In April 1984, more than 350 parents, teachers, principals and administrators from major urban school systems in Massachusetts met to define what an "excellent" desegregated urban public school system should be. This conference report, following excerpts from a keynote address by John E. Durkin, documents seven workshops which focused on…