Reviews literature on prenatal drug abuse to (1) estimate mothers' drug use and exposure of infants; (2) document the relationship between prenatal drug use and adverse birth outcomes; and (3) examine effects of maternal drug use on birth defects. Argues for more treatment facilities and greater prevention efforts. (SLD)

This article describes the development at Florida State University of the Seminole ACCESS card, which functions simultaneously as a bank automated teller machine card, a student identification card, and a debit card. Explained are the partnership between the university and the bank charge card center, funding system, technologies involved, and…

A British school for students with disabilities planned and implemented its curriculum differentiation process by entering the core curriculum into a computer and coding each learning objective, thereby allowing teachers to draw out an individual program for each pupil, varied in length and time scale according to individual needs, and to evaluate…

One of five articles on professional development schools in this theme issue. This annotated bibliography of resources from the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) features journal articles, reports, and project descriptions related to conceptualizations, planning, implementation, and evaluation of professional development schools. The…

The mentorship component of Project Synergy at Teachers College, Columbia University (New York), develops the talent of potentially gifted, economically disadvantaged urban kindergarten children, by matching them with mentors from a school for gifted urban minority middle school students. This paper describes training, the mentoring relationship…

Discusses five premises that shape design and delivery of postinservice staff development programs (focusing on health education): teachers respond to innovations in developmental stages; a multiphase approach is necessary; opportunities for teacher collaboration are crucial; staff development approaches must fit stages of teacher development; and…

Describes "Promoting Environmental Restoration/Management for American Indians" (PERMA), a joint effort of all Indian controlled colleges to create certificate programs in environmental and waste management. PERMA includes a summer bridge program to build science/math skills; a core academic transfer curriculum; a vocationally oriented…

The majority of funds for the development of educational technology programs should be spent on computer software and teacher education with emphasis on technology as a process for developing effective instruction. The development of technology-based solutions can help resolve the educational crisis in elementary, secondary, and higher education…

The Atlantic Centre of Support for Disabled Students, created at Saint Mary's University (Nova Scotia) under the Centres of Specialization Program, works to ensure that students with disabilities have equal opportunity to fully participate in the educational process and gain access to appropriate careers through direct service, community…

The Centre for Communicative and Cognitive Disabilities at the University of Western Ontario provides support services for students with hearing impairment, visual impairment, physical impairment, and learning disabilities. Centre activities have included policy development, student organization, interpreter services, technology development, and…

A survey indicates that declining resources, merging of programs, and loss of faculty positions characterize the changes in programs in higher education as a field of study and suggest an uncertain future. However, most programs see themselves as strong and programs that were prominent in the last decade remain so. (Author/MSE)

A Javits grant implemented statewide in Kentucky used innovative curriculum and team teaching to identify and serve middle school gifted students. Project components included interdisciplinary curriculum development, staff development, expanded provision of services, alternative methods for identifying middle school gifted students, and parent…

An independent activity engagement program, developed for institutionalized people with mental handicaps, included an adapted watch to provide auditory or visual cues at preset times, a box with pictorial cards representing familiar activities, and reinforcement. The program was suitable for the two adult participants but they continued to rely on…

College and university development officers are encouraged to adjust their expectations of volunteers to the current reality of graduates' schedules and commitments. Five barriers to volunteering (economic, time and distance, language and cultural, environmental, and competitive) are identified, and techniques for overcoming them are offered. (MSE)

This article describes the development and implementation of two interdisciplinary preservice programs (at Appalachian State University, North Carolina, and Western Kentucky University) that have combined standards from early childhood and early childhood special education. Both programs cover infants and children (birth to five). Benefits to such…