This article discusses the importance of conducting an initial needs assessment as part of gifted program development. The paper describes data collection concerning the general student body, gifted population, school district personnel, school and school district, physical setting, economic factors, community, and national and state gifted…

This article describes a successful four-year student recruitment effort initiated by Florida State University's teacher preparation program in visual disabilities. The article discusses a survey to determine the target population, use of current students to attract new ones, harnessing of campus resources, and obtaining funds for recruitment…

This article presents a series of decision trees to help in planning assessment and intervention with handicapped children between three months and five years of age. A series of assessment questions lead to suggestions for intervention. Steps in using the decision trees are given and a case example presented. (Author/DB)

This article describes the development at Case Western Reserve University of an all-fiber optic communications network linking 7,300 outlets (faculty offices, student residences, classrooms, libraries, and laboratories) with computer data, television, audio, facsimile, and image information services. (Author/DB)

Planning for and implementing the Financial Accounting and Standards Board's Statement of Financial Accounting Standards for nonpension retirement benefits gives colleges and universities an opportunity to assess and revise their retiree health benefit plans. However, assessment of the current plan, objectives of changes, projected impact, and…

Development of home-school partnership programs involves encouraging parental participation through communication of mutual respect, sharing ownership, sharing problem solving, agreeing upon roles and responsibilities, assessing home variables, acknowledging the home as a naturalistic setting, and promoting prosocial student behavior. (JDD)

This article describes the Boy Scout Youth Protection Program. This program involves a booklet for parents, and preparation and distribution of 2 videos for boys aged 6 to 9 and 10 to 14, respectively; formal policies to protect scouts from abuse within the organization; and a prompt reporting and communication system. (Author/DB)

This paper examines cognitive capacities and dispositional characteristics that contribute to creative problem solving, including relationship generation skills, expertise, adaptability, and wisdom. The paper argues that programs for gifted and talented students should develop the beliefs, values, and motives that will encourage students to apply…

Explains four theoretical concepts: power, interests, negotiation, and responsibility. Combines them into a theory of program planning that encourages adult educators to nurture a democratic process, taking into account the power relations that support or threaten it. (SK)

Principals need professional development to cope with their new responsibilities for school review and planning, staff selection, staff development, performance appraisal, financial management, and the establishment of school councils. This article reviews the immediate administrative training needs of (Australian) school leaders, examines…

One way to make the most of existing facilities and limited resources is an assessment of program usage in addition to facilities usage. Cites a comprehensive facility and programming inventory for the Boston Public Schools that produced very detailed, high quality data for facilities and programs. (MLF)

Describes the methods employed in a series of 10 3-hour drama workshops out of which came a theatre-in-education (TIE) program (delivering an antidrug message) performed at the National Chinese Theatre Association. Notes that educational theater and theater in education were virtually unknown and never before performed in Taiwan. (RS)

Argues that faculty writing groups are the single most effective way to change faculty attitudes about writing and to build support for writing across the curriculum. Discusses challenges facing colleges or universities that decide to develop a writing program across the disciplines. (RS)

Focuses on trends in prevention programs for sexually abused children, first reviewing the trauma of sexual abuse. Section on prevention programs for use by elementary school counselors discusses printed materials, interventions using drama, lecture/discussion formats, audiovisual materials, teacher training models, and parental workshops.…

This article describes a current pilot program of the Albuquerque (New Mexico) schools for twice exceptional students (i.e., gifted students with learning disabilities, behavior disorders, and/or communication disorders) in grades 9 through 12. Three program components will be implemented over the next three years: (1) transition plan, (2)…