This executive summary describes the movement of people with developmental disabilities toward the goals of independence, productivity, and integration, as evidenced by reports prepared by the State Developmental Disabilities Planning Councils. The summary outlines findings from state reports in relation to major life areas: learning; working;…

This monograph provides a framework for programs, states, and organizations to think about the issues in developing culturally competent programs for families of children with special needs, and offers a variety of examples from programs across the country that are providing exemplary services. The monograph is designed to help program makers…

This annual report of the Pennsylvania Council on Vocational Education focuses on the activities and recommendations of the council for 1990. It includes recommendations to the State Board of Education and the Governor that describe the board's major concerns, including declining student enrollments in vocational education programs and possible…

This document presents the findings of the Governor of Nebraska's task force on excellence in education. Initially, a transmittal letter states the charges, findings, and recommendations of the task force. Section 1 of the report presents a preamble and 12 findings and premises. Section 2 contains recommendations in four categories: (1) curriculum…

In 1982, the Education Commission of the States conducted an initial survey of school improvement programs to document state efforts to improve the quality of education in the public schools. Based on a new survey conducted in June and July of 1983, this paper updates the earlier survey and describes state-level school improvement activities begun…

An alternative high school for foreign languages and international studies established in 1982-83 by the Louisiana Department of Education in cooperation with two New Orleans area school districts is described. The school was established to provide an intensive foreign language study course and an international perspective on contemporary society…

This fifth annual compilation presents resumes of ongoing projects in career education, vocational education, and education and work. These contract and grant awards are administered by the U.S. Department of Career Education, National Instutute of Education, Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education, and Office of Special Education and…

Three papers and a sample outline of Requests for Proposals (RFPs) represent the work of the Monitoring and Improving Testing and Evaluation Innovations (MITEI) Project during 1988. The skeleton of a sample RFP outline for large-scale assessment was expanded to provide a checklist of the type of information that should be included in a RFP. The…

Activities of the Technology Access for Arkansans (TAARK) project have focused on: (1) identifying the need and quality of technology provisions in the state; (2) disseminating information about appropriate technology and funding; (3) educating Arkansans about technology and advocacy; (4) developing a coordinated state plan; and (5) providing…

This report provides policymakers and advocates with information about the problems homeless families face and outlines short- and long-term solutions. Initial sections provide facts on homelessness in Virginia, an introduction, and an overview. Subsequent sections explore: (1) identification of the homeless and their characteristics; (2) causes…

This document comprises the second volume of a two-volume resource guide to help states and localities take advantage of new Federal initiatives to increase services to youth under the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA). This volume comprises the discussion papers that formed the basis for the options summarized in the first volume. The papers…

Information about Georgia's Special Instructional Assistance Program (SIA) is presented. The program is designed to serve children in kindergarten through grade five who are functioning below the normal expectations for their age range, usually as a result of deficient language and cognitive development. The vast majority of SIA teaching and…

The report provides a comprehensive review of child abuse and neglect concerns in Texas and offers a variety of recommendations. Data on the extent of the problem indicate that the need for treatment services has outstripped available resources. The direct and indirect costs of untreated child abuse are estimated. The joint study committee…

The Massachusetts Workplace Education Initiative was established in 1986 to create 6 model workplace literacy education programs and later expanded, with state and federal funding, to more than 20 programs at over 40 worksites. The initiative was developed in response to the growing recognition of functional illiteracy in an increasingly complex…

This biennial report presents: (1) information regarding progress under and compliance with the master plan for vocational education in Texas during the school years 1986-87 and 1987-88 and information regarding activities conducted during the 1988-89 school year where appropriate; and (2) quantitative and qualitative evaluative information on…