Reviews current efforts in the movement for providing parents and students school selection choices. Benefits resulting from school choice include: dropout reduction, increased achievement, more parental involvement, racial integration, and improved morale. Outlines the features of a desirable choice plan and the prospects for development of…

Defines a process that will enable counselors to design their own guidance activities relevant to the special needs of various student populations. Six steps are suggested: experiencing, publishing, processing, generalizing, developing, and applying. (ABB)

Calvert County School District, Maryland, has developed a differentiated teacher evaluation system that promotes collaboration among supervisors and administrators in rating teacher performance. Methods involve informal observation, rating observation, and nonrating observation. Implementation is accompanied by extensive formative evaluation by…

A seven-step procedure designed to direct and encourage inservice staff development presentations by special services personnel is described. Steps include needs assessment, analysis of logistics, development of objectives, arrangement for incentives, preparation of content/format materials, presentation, and evaluation. (Author/DB)

Presents guidelines to be used when legislation which would expand existing early childhood programs for young children or create new programs is being considered. The categories for these guidelines include provisions for program standards to ensure quality programs; parental access and involvement; service eligibility; interagency linkages and…

A case study is presented of a three-year-old girl who exhibited aggression towards other children when playing. A behavior management program involving praise and rewards for good behavior and negative consequences for misbehavior was successful in reducing the behavior problem. Cooperative behavior was maintained even when tangible rewards were…

The experience of the University of Southern Mississippi in sponsoring "The Parenting the Gifted Children Conference" is described. Discussed are needs assessment, conference format, selection of speakers, budget, public relations, conference evaluation, and physical facilities. Included are a sample evaluation form, a conference…

This reprinted 1979 article presents 11 steps in establishing a course for parents of gifted children and offers suggestions on operationalizing the course plan. A model 10-week course is described that covers the overall scope of gifted education, including identification procedures, characteristics, parenting techniques, programs, curricular…

Explains a three-dimensional conceptual model designed to help outdoor educators plan and evaluate programs that provide primary and reflective experiences in, about, and for the outdoors and that bring about positive growth in the cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains of learning. (JHZ)

Planning details are suggested for producing a quality, cost-effective training video. Discusses choosing a video medium, writing the script, and deciding on production facilities. Tips to consider when hiring an outside consultant are also given. (CT)

The report offers policy program and program recommendations for six barriers to education and career preparation of disabled youth: (1) student categorization; (2) lack of access and availability of job training programs; (3) insufficient employment opportunities; (4) lack of self advocacy skills; (5) need to improve and disseminate secondary…

Music educators elected to offices in the state organization in charge of the West Virginia student chapters of the Music Educators National Conference describe their organization's objectives and strategies. (RM)

Computerized management information systems have long been used in business, and data integration and sophisticated programing now enable many businesses to decentralize their information operations. This approach has advantages and disadvantages that colleges and universities must weigh and plan for carefully. (MSE)

A cost analysis approach can effectively integrate budget and program planning. By analyzing staff time across components of an early childhood program, one can analyze program operations and their costs. The cost analysis system examines personnel costs as well as nonpersonnnel costs and in-kind contributions and provides a format for displaying…

If planning is to succeed in higher education, radical changes must be made in the way in which the process is conceptualized and implemented. Philosophical assumptions and operational guidelines are identified, and a strategic planning process model is described. (MLW)