Current trends in mental retardation services in Massachusetts were investigated using the New England region, the state of Michigan, and the United States as comparative frames of reference. Massachusetts' movement toward reducing reliance on state institutions, reallocating funding, and developing community services and family support is…

Four formal outdoor education programs in Newfoundland and Labrador are briefly described: Brother Brennan Environmental Education Centre, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Sir Wilfred Grenfell College, and College of the North Atlantic. Cooperation among these formal environmental and outdoor recreation programs, informal community outdoor…

Describes the Solutions model used at Shelley High School in Idaho which gives students the opportunity to gain practical experience while tackling community problems. This approach is built on the three fundamentals of an integrated curriculum, a problem-solving focus, and service-based learning. Sample problems include increasing certain trout…

This paper reflects on comments made by Samuel Gridley Howe in the 19th century and their continuing relevance to the state of institutionalization of individuals with mental retardation. The paper also cites Burton Blatt in his argument in favor of deinstitutionalization with all possible haste despite the inevitable challenges this will pose to…

Rather than viewing an early intervention team in isolation, a systems perspective considers the interrelationships and interdependence of the various elements comprising service delivery for children with disabilities. This article proposes a model, a multilayered framework, that takes into account the larger system of community and organization…

In the University of California Cooperative Extension's Master Gardener Program, a partnership with the Sonoma County Waste Management Agency, volunteers teach approximately 1000 people annually how to compost in their backyards to help reduce landfill waste. Surveys conducted in 1995 and 1996 showed that home composters reduced their input into…

Asserts income inequality will grow as government spending cutbacks lead to funding cuts for social benefits and services. Notes the shift from federal to local administration of social welfare services suggests greater resource allocation power for local communities. Draws on the literature of multicultural community practice to focus on…

Articulates the importance of integrating service learning initiatives into Catholic school curricula and outlines a model service program sponsored by Maria High School in southwest Chicago. Briefly reviews five essential qualities of effective service-learning programs, including: (1) service is conducted with and meets the need of the…

Describes the report "The Civic Mission of Schools," released on 13 February 2003. Discusses four key goals related to civic knowledge and skills; community involvement; political involvement; and moral and civic virtues. Notes that the report also provides practical guidance to K-12 schools and colleges and universities on supporting more…

This article describes a service learning project for students with emotional and behavioral disorders attending a special education day treatment program. Students worked with senior citizens to beautify a senior housing complex. It describes the project's structure, student characteristics, and quantitative and qualitative data collection, both…

Discusses a holistic pilot program that was developed to deliver services to custodial grandparents, grandchildren, and school personnel. During and after completion of the program, observations and preliminary data analysis showed positive social and participation benefits for both grandparents and grandchildren. (Contains 26 references.) (GCP)

Activity coaches from university teacher education and health education programs were trained to use individualized accommodations to help six children (ages 6-13) with developmental disabilities participate in community recreation activities. Children participated in swim classes or gymnastics at individualized levels, expressed enjoyment, and…

Evaluated an early intervention, risk-reduction strategy in comparison with a standard intervention approach in the treatment of inner-city youth at risk of adopting a deviant life style. Regression analysis of outcome measures for 428 inner-city youth revealed significant differential results for delinquent activity, favoring the experimental…

Recognizing that the public good is a key concept for children now and in the future, educators call for discussion and investigation of public issues and student involvement in them. Cites programs in New York and Minnesota. Lists sources of classroom social studies materials. (MLF)

Six articles are presented on the use of human subjects in research on acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Topics include the ethics of human experimentation, female and pediatric AIDS patients, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and AIDS among correctional inmates, community-based AIDS research, and clinical trials of HIV…