Although maintaining professional competence is important, professionals can be hard-to-reach learners. Recent developments in needs assessment and instructional technology in continuing education in the health professions can be applied to improvement of services in other fields. (SK)

Schools should stimulate, challenge, and, above all, educate children, but not primarily in the three R's. The common school, which emphasizes learning how to learn, is essential to the preservation and cultivation of a democratic way of life. (CJ)

Reports the results of a 1977 survey of instructional supervision in many bilingual programs in California, Arizona, and Texas. Presents state-by-state profiles revealing common characteristics of the programs and the indadequacies of program supervision, which are corroborated by national study findings. Briefly discusses program evaluation and…

A study of teacher attitudes towards prescriptive grammar instruction stresses the use of reinforcement as a teaching technique and reveals the importance of preservice and field experience programs geared to realistic presentation of practical classroom situations. (LH)

Describes quality models that community colleges have adopted to improve program effectiveness and customer service, focusing on the use of these models in career development. Discusses exemplary college programs that focus on quality, teamwork and participatory management, and service to students as their prime customers. (AJL)

Discusses the meaning and benefits of collaboration and how to determine if a program's policies and standards reflect and reinforce the value of collaboration. Offers strategies for building and sustaining collaborative relationships with families and for supporting the collaborative efforts of teaching staff. (TJQ)

Describes nine facets of quality at-risk education programs that have been identified by the National At-Risk Education Network (NAREN): accelerated academic curriculum, strong literacy component, deliberate self-management program, personalized curriculum, project-experiential-work orientation, smaller school and class size, solid planning and…

This article reviews barriers to the recognition of and assistance for gifted and talented Black students, focusing on inadequate definitions, theories, and identification procedures. Rationales are presented for reexamining current definitions and broadening the theories of giftedness to include more Blacks. Recommendations are provided for…

The article describes problems and challenges in implementing independent study as a major component of a gifted program for Black, urban elementary students. Program adjustments included guaranteed incremental successes, joint planning with students, a small student-teacher ratio, flexible perceptions of project products, high teacher…

Three articles on evaluation in the Federal government describe a decline in budget and staff support, narrowing of the agenda to internal management issues, and the subordination of evaluation to other functions. Issues for the future of Federal government evaluation are discussed. (SLD)

Discussion of instructional systems design and development projects focuses on improving project planning and analysis to avoid failures. Case studies of failures of educational technology projects, including projects in developing nations and distance education projects, are presented; project engineering is discussed; and a model for successful…

Describes the plight of homeless families in the United States, examining the special role that Head Start programs can play in homeless families' lives. Suggests that Head Start programs need to address staff training, family recruitment, health services, transportation, flexible scheduling, home-based options, attendance, parent education,…

Coordination of early intervention for children with disabilities is discussed, including barriers to interagency coordination. A 2-year study of 6 diverse states identified 13 ways in which public agencies are different from one another. Recommendations are offered to assist agencies to develop a coordinated service system. (Author/SW)

Discusses the challenge of providing an educational program for young adolescents that balances a commitment to academic achievement with a commitment to providing a caring, nurturing learning environment. Outlines 10 characteristics of the continuous process of school improvement in the high achieving school. (TJQ)

An overview is presented on action research and practical inquiry, with attention to the initial phase of starting this approach, gathering data, analyzing the results, sharing findings, and judging the quality of action research and practical inquiry. Gifted education practitioners are encouraged to share action research findings. (SW)