Believes that fundamental reorientation of administration toward the development of Russian regional (oblast) educational systems must occur to create a balanced system of regional administration that takes account of the specific character of Russia and its regions. Discusses the many innovations that have taken place in the oblasts (regions) of…

Discusses features of the newly revised version of "Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning," including the premise at the beginning of the book; the information literacy standards section; the next section that addresses issues of the school library media program's multiple roles; and the last chapter devoted to the…

Discusses the distinction between student evaluation and program assessment; the development of assessment methods for library instruction; and the various steps taken in the writing, testing, revising, and use of an assessment instrument for the Schurz Library instruction program at Indiana University South Bend. Library instruction guidelines,…

Focuses on "Bootstrap Training," a scientific literacy program for permanent non-science and part-time adjunct librarians at San Jose State University Library. Describes an initial training-needs questionnaire distributed to all reference personnel, the implementation of a staff development program with scientific literacy goals,…

This article describes the development of Kentucky's alternative assessment for students with disabilities, including the content and scoring standards for the Alternate Portfolio. Specific examples of entries at each grade are given. Initial implementation data are presented, and critical issues in the development of alternate statewide…

Examines the integration of a systematic in-house certification framework and outlines an evaluation model to validate and justify certification as a performance management tool of value to organizations and individuals. Discusses the six elements of effective competency certification programs: competency analysis; training for certification;…

Summarizes the Richmond Public Library's (RPL's) experiences in development and provision of technology-based services. Describes RPL's approaches to technology-based services, including training, communicating benefits to the community, creating a community-based Web site and marketing. Explains benefits of Internet-based services to patrons,…

Discusses the National Science Foundation (NSF)/United States Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)/National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA) Research in Digital Libraries Initiative (DLI). Highlights include benefits of digital libraries; the Federal High Performance Computing and Communications Program (HPCC); and program…

Describes an "educational evening out," an idea materialized when parents expressed interest in reading during their first-quarter conferences with teachers. Notes that the parents showed so much interest in learning how to read with their children at home that the teachers made plans to have a literacy night in their first-grade classroom. (SG)

This article describes a transdisciplinary team approach to functional behavioral assessment (FBA) and intervention for young children with autism who exhibit severe challenging behavior. The article discusses the types of information needed to conduct an FBA, gives examples of information collection, and examines benefits and barriers to the team…

The shortage of school library media specialists (SLMSs) has accentuated the need for establishing and promoting mentoring programs in K-12 schools. Mentoring programs for SLMSs in two large urban school systems are addressing the needs of new SLMSs. Sample orientation/mentoring program activities are given. (AEF)

Several policy and practice issues impede successful implementation of the federal Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997. Montgomery County, Maryland devised a blended model of intervention to achieve the dual mandates of county Child Welfare Services and alcohol and drug services. The approach made use of graduated levels of intensity in…

This article features three housing programs designed to target the needs of youth aging out of child welfare. One program combines housing and treatment to move substance-dependent youth off the streets; one combines the resources of Urban Peak, the only licensed homeless and runaway youth shelter in Colorado, with the Denver Department of Human…

This article demonstrates how a user-friendly evaluation of a federally funded homeless prevention program using an action research approach -- and using a logic model as the analytic framework -- informed multiple stakeholders, including members of Congress, other decision makers, and Family Center practitioners. The program's target population…

In this paper, N. L. McCaslin, director of the Professional Development Academy for the National Dissemination Center for Career and Technical Education, imparts his views regarding the elements necessary for a great professional development experience. According to McCaslin, professional development should align with the efforts of individuals as…