Survey responses of 50 State Directors of Special Education indicated wide discrepancies among states in how extended year services for severely handicapped students are provided. The article presents legal and educational bases in support of extended year programing and stresses the need for empirically based program guidelines. (Author/DB)

Describes legislative, corporate, and educational cooperation that has allowed the 30 community colleges of New York State to emerge as economic development forces in their communities to foster increased productivity and an improved economic climate. Sees state-funded contract courses leading to increased worker productivity and enhanced…

The article describes the Utah Community-Based Transition Project, a federally funded project on transition planning for severely disabled youth. The planning process is aimed at facilitating coordination and expansion of community services for each graduate. Barriers facing states as they attempt to implement effective transition planning models…

An electronic news service called REDINET provides Indiana school management with statewide coverage of legislative committees, state agencies, and others. Individual school districts and subgroups are also able to communicate with each other. (MLF)

The availability of trainees, service providers, private employers, and low effective costs attest to the success of the Massachusetts Supported Work model, a state-funded transitional employment program for mentally retarded persons, featuring graduated stress and performance requirements, intensive supervision, supportive services, easy…

This article describes some of the lessons learned from the problems of South Carolina school districts with current individual and group incentive plans. It is suggested that group incentive programs are generally more effective if they are locally administered and linked to specific school improvement plans. (TE)

Explains the role of the California Employment Training Panel in ensuring that public monies are well spent by guaranteeing that training leads directly to employment. Emphasizes the importance of job training as a tool for economic development. (AYC)

Reviews programs in the state of Maine that are designed to inventory the natural heritage of critical areas, rare species, and exemplary natural features. Discusses how the information acquired by these programs is being used for public information efforts and educational programs in the schools. (ML)

Describes the development and outcomes of Lane Community College's (LCC) Business Assistance Center, which offers a wide range of management assistance services to local small businesses. Explains how state-funded programs, based on the LCC model, resulted in a network of Small Business Development Centers. (CBC)

As a means of implementing program activities, the Maryland State Department of Education has made assumptions regarding the development of students' thinking abilities. These assumptions and Maryland's plan of implementation are presented and discussed. (CT)

Describes a training program conducted in Arizona from 1979 to 1983 that measurably increased the number of female principals in Arizona and markedly improved attitudes toward women as school administrators. Covers the program's antecedents, outcomes, participant recruitment and selection process, use of consultants, and workshop agendas. (PGD)

Describes a model state-wide microcomputer network for vocational education allowing students either to process information independently with one computer or access data and programs residing in the state central library. Each location will have 20 IBM microcomputers and four printers. Implications of this program for public education are…

This policy brief describes the State Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems (SECCS) Initiative, a policy designed to improve early childhood programs to ensure that all children arrive at school healthy and ready to learn. The SECCS is intended to help states build a bridge from birth to school and addresses how states will support children and…

As part of a system of early childhood career advancement in Florida, this document describes the early childhood education profession and presents--in both a written format and a CD-ROM--steps and guidelines for preparing a voluntary professional portfolio. The portfolio is highlighted as an opportunity to document one's educational and…

In 1998, the Kentucky legislature made adjustments to the assessment and accountability system established by the Kentucky Education Reform Act of 1990 to create a new system, the Commonwealth Accountability and Testing System (CATS). The Kentucky Core Content Tests (KCCT) are a component of CATS. KCCT assessments are given in grades 4, 5, 7, 8,…