Context: Founded in 1971 with state funding to increase the number of primary care physicians in rural Minnesota, the Rural Physician Associate Program (RPAP) has graduated 1,175 students. Third-year medical students are assigned to primary care physicians in rural communities for 9 months where they experience the realities of rural practice with…

Reports are given on the use of computers in elementary and secondary schools in five states. An analysis of the reports discusses various educational trends and implications evolving from computer use, including misapplied technology and the proper amount of learning and teaching via computers. (CJ)

This summary of educational computing activities for each state (excluding Colorado, whose information was not available), provides the numbers of districts, students, and computers in each. New activities involving computers and other forms of technology are briefly described as well as future plans. (LRW)

This article discusses some of the advantages of computer-based testing and highlights efforts by several states and organizations to introduce electronic assessment. It also describes the challenges policymakers face in planning and implementing such an initiative and details the steps they can take to pursue this type of testing. As electronic…

Summarizes recent developments in the use of technology in schools and state-level testing programs. Presents results of two studies, one with 114 students and one with about 200 students, that indicate that written tests administered on paper underestimate the achievement of students accustomed to working with computers. (SLD)

This report explores policies and practices governing online education with a particular focus on policies aiming to provide students with high-quality online learning experiences. The report looks specifically at two areas: state-level policies governing online education, and statewide online programs (i.e., programs created by legislation or by…

This paper examines the use of telecommunications in rural schools in the United States as a solution to the problems teachers face when they have small classes, five or six class preparations daily, extracurricular duties, and inadequate training for specific classes. Telecommunications in schools in Minnesota and Kansas and a Star Schools Model…

Policy briefs are reports on the status of current issues in education from a national perspective; descriptions of actions and agendas in the North Central Regional Educational Laboratory (NCREL) region; and commentaries by experts from their particular point of view; and resources for further information. The focus of this report is technology…

Based upon testimony before the National Governor's Association Task Force on Technology, this article identifies important considerations that state education agencies should take into account in developing educational technology plans and strategies. Policy recommendations are given, including the creation of interstate consortia for software…

Reviews current educational uses of computers, including elementary and secondary schools; teacher training; industry and publishers; higher education; and the home. State and federal contributions are discussed, as well as several current federally sponsored projects and federal policy. Computers and the larger social context are also discussed.…

This report, the second in a series of six, presents the findings of evaluative studies of six Level I Model Technology School sites which were conducted as part of Phase II of the California Educational Technology Assessment Program. The project sites are: Alhambra City School District (two schools); Cupertino Union Elementary District and…

Discusses the use of technology in the classroom and stresses the importance of long-range planning for successful implementation. Capabilities of future computer-assisted instruction are suggested, possible results of educational technology are described, state planning is reviewed, and changes in society resulting from technology are discussed.…

This report on the potential of new interactive technologies for improving learning examines developments in the use of computer-based technologies, analyzes key trends in hardware and software development, evaluates the capability of technology to improve learning in many areas, and explores ways to substantially increase student access to…

This report discusses the potential for computers and other educational technologies to aid in school restructuring in New York State. Issues involved in such a restructuring are examined and include: (1) the need for a common effort in creating a state program; (2) current practices and current realities in the classroom; (3) current uses of such…

Three issues of "The Forum," a publication of the New York State Federation of Chapters of the Council for Exceptional Children, feature articles on the topics of technology in special education, early childhood special education in New York, and education of migrant handicapped youth. Titles and authors of articles include: (1)…