In 1979, St. John's Elementary School in Lawrence, Kansas, replaced its set tuition rate with the Educational Commitment Plan, under which parents negotiate to pay as much of their child's actual education costs as they can afford. This article describes the implementation of the plan and parents' reactions to it. (SJL)

Describes the growth of the Bay Area Writing Project into the National Writing Project, whose 80 regional programs share the goal of improving the teaching of written composition in grades K through l3 through inservice teacher education. Presents evaluative information on this model. (Author/SJL)

Discussed the State of Colorado's introduction of performance contracting into its relationships with community mental health centers. Describes the nature of the contract and its implementation. Particular emphasis is placed on the implications of the contract for program evaluation. (Author)

Examines use of Title III/IV-C funds for implementation of innovative programs in North Carolina and those factors which contribute either to success or failure of a program. The extent to which the successful programs have been continued and/or shared and established in other schools within the system is also analyzed. (MER)

Presented are guidelines for establishing, housing, and publicizing a Parent Drop-In Center, a library/ information clearinghouse where parents can learn about child development and early childhood education, borrow toys, and communicate with teachers. (SJL)

This is the first of a series of three seasonal environmental learning stations that create a land lab on the school grounds. This article describes the construction of a 10-station nature trail and the related student activities for grade levels 1 through 6. (Editor/SJL)

Describes how an area vocational center planned and implemented a self-paced, word-processing operations program within the existing business education program. (LRA)

This article presents 11 concrete policy guidelines to help school districts avoid some of the most common problems associated with the implementation of minimal competency testing. (Author/SJL)

The author presents an overview of the results of a nationwide series of workshops that addressed Comprehensive Employment and Training Act/career education collaboration. Topics included local education agencies/prime sponsor agreements, Youth Employment and Training Program implementation efforts and problems, and future concerns. (CT)

Risks are taken in establishing alternative school programs but they can be minimized by giving the proper attention to several critical factors. (Author)

The Delphi technique for determining goals and objectives provides for the explicit articulation of the direction in which an institution, organization, or program should go. An example is given of planning a health education curriculum using the Delphi technique with maximum participation on the part of teachers. (JD)

Summarizes some of the problems and successes of state level implementation of career education under the Career Education Incentive Act. Problems concerned cultural bias, unfamiliarity with the career education concept, lack of support, and budget cuts. Successes included business/industry participation, community support, and inservice training…

Identifies and analyzes major factors that affect industrial arts: (1) shortage of qualified teachers, (2) difference in the rate of change between technology and education, (3) lack of professional leadership, and (4) teacher education programs using a dichotomized approach to prepare teachers. (CT)

Cites (1) social and economic conditions leading to a reversal in attitudes toward adult education and (2) evidence of shifts in students and instructional methods. Presents a rationale for and considers several aspects of systematic college programing: on-going research and development; continuous evaluation; effective planning; and program…

Describes services and operation of the Family Protection Act Unit in San Mateo County, California. After three years, the number of children receiving financial aid in foster care decreased by 33 percent and the number of children placed in institutions decreased by 40 percent, while guardianships and adoptions increased by 16 and 25 percent,…