The Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership involves local community groups and schools in the selection of student award winners, who are then judged in a statewide contest by business and industry representatives. The program provides an organized structure for continuous cooperation and communication between vocational education and the…

Summarizes recent developments with reference to gifted education in the nation, outlines some of the current concerns in the field, and concludes with some implications for career education for the gifted and talented. (Author)

The role of state consultants in gifted education is discussed in terms of their contributions to parents, administrators, and teachers. Names and addresses of 58 consultants are listed. (CL)

Describes trends in the minimal competency movement in Florida and several other states and speculates about future trends in minimum-competency testing. (DD)

The article describes the Intermountain Center for Gifted Education in Utah which provides educational programs statewide for gifted and talented students. It is explained that the programs are also designed to expand community awareness of the needs of gifted students and encourage active community involvement. (PHR)

Decremental planning is synonymous with the management of decline. (Author/IRT)

Kentucky service learning initiatives include (1) inclusion of Learn and Serve America in the state department of education; (2) leadership of the Kentucky Community Education Association; (3) increased state funding for community education; and (4) integration of community education and service learning through collaborative projects. (SK)

A review of Utah service learning programs leads to the following recommendations: (1) listen to community needs; (2) involve youth in planning service activities; and (3) collaborate with other community programs serving youth. (SK)

Uses two sets of survey data from random sample of North Carolina school principals to investigate principals reported behavioral responses to the state's accountability and incentive program. Finds that the state's ABC program is a powerful tool for changing the behavior of school principals in both intended and unintended ways. (Contains 2…

Considered recommendations made by R. Linn (2000) and made a preliminary determination of the degree of cohesion between the Arkansas Comprehensive Testing, Assessment, and Accountability (ACTAAP) program and those recommendations. The ACTAAP appears to be an exemplary program in the early stages of development. (SLD)

Describes the adoption of Internet-based testing that measures growth following a study of statewide testing procedures in Idaho. Discusses the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001; comparing paper and pencil tests with computerized testing; measurement techniques; how data from tests is used; and timeliness. (LRW)

Describes the scope of evaluation efforts of the Even Start family literacy program to date, summarizing the evaluation strategies, rationale, intended audience, and findings. Discusses the different lenses offered by evaluation at state and local levels. (SLD)

At Texas A&M University and the University of South Florida recent changes have limited some benefits of tenure. While these changes do not yet reflect a trend, some experts note that universities should deal with troublesome faculty members individually rather than by establishing rules eroding tenure for all. (SLD)

A cost-benefit analysis is presented for Illinois's statewide supported employment initiative for individuals with developmental disabilities. The analysis concludes that society realized a $0.75 return for every $1.00 invested in supported employment, while supported employees realized a 37 percent increase in their earnings. (Author/JDD)