A Florida mandate for teachers to receive training in English for Speakers of Other Languages led to development by a consortium of multicultural telecourses, facilitator study guides, and a university credit course. Teacher resistance to the mandate was lowered by classroom-centered, interactive distance learning. (SK)

Discussion of prepaid college tuition plans looks at their strengths and weaknesses and provides an analysis to illustrate their use as an alternative in funding a child's future education. It is noted that, although some financial planners argue against them, they can offer significant savings by locking in tuition rates. (MSE)

This survey of 48 state directors of special education found that states are at various stages in developing policies and guidelines for serving individuals with traumatic brain injury, resulting in differing forms of technical assistance and training, definitions, and eligibility criteria. (JDD)

The Developmental Disabilities Act provides funds to State Developmental Disabilities Councils to formulate comprehensive systems of services, supports, and other assistance. The act also supports protection and advocacy systems to protect legal rights, university-affiliated programs to provide preservice preparation, and national initiatives to…

Examination of teacher education in Michigan and California illustrates dimensions of assonance and dissonance among key stakeholders in teacher preparation, particularly in relation to professional standards, accreditation, and teacher testing. Different shapes and values may be preferable to a national standard scorecard for teachers. (SLD)

Characteristics of 718 students labeled as learning disabled before implementation of Indiana's statewide guidelines were compared with characteristics of 790 students identified after guideline implementation. After implementation, students identified had more severe academic problems and severe ability/achievement discrepancy, though one-third…

California's 2+2+2 articulation agreements assure students a smooth transition from high school tech prep to community college courses that transfer to baccalaureate programs at state universities. California Articulation Numbers identify community college and university courses with similar content and transferable credits. (SK)

Describes ILLINET Online, a resource sharing network for the state of Illinois. The constituency of the network, recent usage statistics relating to interlibrary loan requests, and the development of recent technological changes involving standards for networks are discussed; and future plans are outlined. (LRW)

A stakeholder approach was used in the development of a statewide educational performance monitoring system in Virginia--the Educational Performance Recognition program. Stakeholder groups included teachers, superintendents, school board members, and education group representatives. Responses of 58 stakeholders surveyed were positive. (SLD)

Discussion of the development of educational standards and the impact on school library media programs focuses on what constitutes information skills, or information literacy. Documents for 27 states are listed that outline the information skills actually taught in the various states. (LRW)

Whether a feasible a priori factor structure can be identified for the Mississippi Teacher Assessment Instruments (MTAI) was studied through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis of ratings of 194 student teachers. Analyses support some degree of construct validity, but expected factor structures were not identified. (SLD)

Suggests that standards-based reform is doomed to fail unless states use their newly established, more rigorous standards to develop interventions that provide teachers with the skills and knowledge required to teach to the higher standards and students with additional opportunities to achieve the higher standards. (Author/SLD)

Traces the development and history of reform of the Massachusetts State Department of Human Services, which departed abruptly from a tradition of institutionalizing young offenders. The Massachusetts approach demonstrates the elements of successful intervention with young offenders through intensive services, community-based programs, small case…

Describes the local political action and advocacy efforts of members of the National Network for Early Language Learning in promoting foreign language education, focusing on the efforts of Alabama, Florida, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Ohio, and Vermont. Also lists recipients of state exemplary political action and advocacy awards. (SM)

One-stop career centers conveniently locate employment and training services in one place. The example of bureaucratic confusion in Virginia shows the need for policy and a holistic global approach to such obstacles as lack of consensus on commingling and co-locating services and how and by whom centers are monitored. (SK)