This issue of "Special Edition" contains the following articles: (1) Message from the Assistant Commissioner (Joseph Fisher); (2) Inclusion: Success in the Classroom (Benton McDonough); (3) Mid-Tennessee (Allison Davey); (4) West Tennessee (Larry Greer); (5) East Tennessee (Robert Winstead); (6) Excellence in Teaching (Paul Ayers and…

The views of rehabilitation consumers have not played a central role in shaping training programs for rehabilitation counselors. Likewise, partnerships between state vocational rehabilitation agencies and institutions of higher education have not been developed to their full potential. A planned collaboration between Montana Vocational…

In March 1996, the New York State Comptroller's Office completed a review of the financial management practices of the State University of New York College at Old Westbury between April 1993 and February 1995. The Office's final report included 17 recommendations for improving the internal control structure over cash receipts and disbursements,…

Intended for use by childcare center directors, this guide presents the Quick Quality Check, a practical method for measuring and improving the quality of care in infant/toddler classrooms. The four chapters of the guide discuss the specifics of the Quick Quality Check method for both infants and toddlers, including the instrument development, as…

This bulletin is part of the best practice series on programs that provide assistance in building or expanding juvenile correction and detention facilities and in training correctional staff. These bulletins are designed to present up-to-date knowledge to juvenile justice policymakers, researchers, and practitioners about programs and approaches…

Recruiting and retaining good teachers ranks as one of the most significant roadblocks to solving the preschool quality crises facing the country. Evidence points to the low wages and benefits offered to preschool teachers as the single most important factor in hiring and keeping good teachers. This policy brief examines what is known about the…

Research shows that preschool produces the strongest effects when teachers are well qualified. Noting that most Head Start preschool teachers do not hold even the minimum teaching degrees required to teach kindergarten, this policy brief looks at the costs of putting highly qualified teachers in Head Start classrooms to improve the effectiveness…

This guide is an evaluation that can help one answer relevant questions about improving a reading or language arts program such as: Are there changes that need to be made? Is a stronger commitment needed to strengths identified in the program? and Are specific resources needed to make it more successful? The manual points out that if an improved…

After 10 years of development, the California Statewide Automated Child Support System, run by the Department of Social Services (DSS), has been scrapped and the state has begun developing a new child support collection computer. This report evaluates the performance of publicly-funded child support collection programs in California, examining the…

The Great Lakes Quality Improvement Center for Disabilities (GLQIC-D) serves Head Start programs in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin, and conducts an annual needs assessment of these programs. For the 1998-99 assessment, 229 Head Start directors completed the survey, which gathered information regarding: (1) program…

This guide was developed to help career guidance counselors and administrators improve their programs by adapting the best practices from exemplars and other models and by using standards suggested by national groups. The guide includes the guidance and counseling framework that the National Center for Research in Vocational Education uses for…

This report is designed to inform the Kentucky Governor, the General Assembly, and the public about the quality of child care in the state. Chapter 1 presents data suggesting that at least one third of Kentucky preschoolers are currently in child care, more children are likely to enter childcare as female labor force participation increases and…

Interviews with a sample of clients, served by the rehabilitation workshop of the Jewish Employment and Vocational Service of St. Louis, substantiates need for vocational follow-up. (AG)

How you can improve a poor program without shaping up a promising teacher. (Editor)

Discusses two current issues resulting from accreditation of engineering education programs, professional or otherwise. Indicates the absence of unification in the professional movement whether under the federation of independent engineering societies of the council or under an umbrella type of organization. (CC)