Demonstrating the way in which the National Diffusion Network (a system set up to disseminate exemplary educational practices) operates, this article describes application of an Illinois-developed early childhood program to the needs of a rurally isolated county in North Carolina. (JC)

Experienced people from business and industry have something to offer young people. Teachers have something to offer business and industry. Suggests combining the two, and providing students with both a stable faculty and a more thorough program of vocational education. (Author/RK)

Although it may be a false indictment to say schools have been indifferent to developing proper dietary patterns in students, the need for re-evaluation is self-evident. Discusses what schools must do to alleviate this serious health dilemma. (Author/RK)

Answers questions concerning national trends in the development of career education programs. (MH)

Presents suggestions which can serve as guidelines for the secondary level principal when a remedial reading program is being set up. (JM)

Issues related to family assessment as part of early intervention programs with handicapped children are reviewed and the need for a family needs assessment as a first step in developing family focused interventions is stressed. Suggestions for the design, selection, and use of a needs assessment are made. (Author/DB)

Dental services for mentally retarded persons in the community provided by Tufts Dental Facilities in Massachusetts are described. Principles of developing a community program including establishing a data base, interacting with the generic system, and developing a strategy for service delivery are explained. (DB)

Jefferson Meetings were developed in 1984 to provide an innovative way to teach students an understanding of the United States Constitution. Describes how to organize such an event. (MD)

The paper reviews factors affecting development of early intervention programs for all handicapped infants including changing political and economic conditions and programmatic issues (setting, staffing, identification). Finally, the provisions of P.L. 99-457 creating a discretionary infant intervention program are outlined. (Author/DB)

The authors present a plan for vocational education research that could help decision makers focus on critical research areas. The plan is described in a schematic format that highlights the critical nature of vocational education research planning. A blending of policy and programmatic considerations is suggested. (Author/CH)

Designed for parents who wish to develop local respite care services for families with disabled children, this primer outlines strategies for: evaluating current available services and programs; pulling people together; conducting a needs assessment; raising money; and writing a proposal. (CB)

Suggests a model to identify variables and measure influence upon the management of a continuing education department. Identifies relevant variables and suggests methods for measuring variables quantitatively. Includes responses from two adult educators operating in a university continuing education program. (JOW)

The author describes the preparation, delivery, and evaluation of five teleconferencing sessions and draws out the lessons learned. She relates the findings to the literature on the topic. (JOW)

A survey was conducted by the Marion County Office of the Oregon State University Extension to identify clients and their characteristics and to determine their level of satisfaction. The results led to an improved program planning process and increased program effectiveness. (JOW)

Documents a case study in which needs assessment and a change model were applied in such a way that the needs assessment process served as a change strategy. States that, in this case, both the results and the needs assessment process contributed to the organization's change goals. (Author/CH)