Recommends that the Department of Health and Human Services ensure that every Head Start program can strive for excellence; expand the number of children served and the scope of services provided; and encourage community and school partnerships to ensure continuity of services, facilitate state and local collaboration, and link Head Start with…

A Supreme Court ruling found that federal programs or policies based on race must meet a legal test of strict scrutiny, requiring the program to demonstrate a compelling government interest and be narrowly tailored. Legal experts suggest that few federal affirmative action programs currently meet the standard. (MSE)

Congress is considering major changes in federal student aid programs that, if approved, would result in the largest increase in the cost of college in the nation's history. Colleges and universities must now consider how reduced federal student aid would affect their enrollment, and make federal policymakers understand the potential impact of…

The three basic kinds of federal student financial aid to college students are described: federal student loans (direct lending, both subsidized and unsubsidized); campus-based aid (Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, work-study programs, and Perkins Loans); and Pell Grants. Some details of program design and recent changes are noted.…

The digital library encompasses the application of high-performance computers and networks to the production, distribution, management, and use of knowledge in research and education. A joint project by three federal agencies, which is investing in digital library initiatives at six universities, is discussed. A sidebar provides issues to consider…

Some of the major issues related to planning evaluations of federal human services national demonstration programs are discussed. Barriers to conducting evaluations are discussed for the policy level and cross-site and within-site evaluation contexts. Among the proposed solutions is the use of an explicit programmatic developmental sequence. (SLD)

Reviews current activities in the fields of both substance abuse and disability, and discusses new efforts to take advantage of advances in electronic communications and systems change approaches. The work of federal agencies in these areas is highlighted, and linkages of these agencies with the private sector are advocated. (JPS)

This special insert contains several articles on finding money for educational technology. Topics covered include foundations that provide educational funding; funding sources and recently funded programs; stretching available funds; fund-raising ideas; elements of a grant proposal; school-business partnerships; and grant proposals as a vehicle…

This statement by Senator Albert Gore, Jr., on introduction of the Information Infrastructure and Technology Act of 1992 highlights examples of applications of high-performance computing, the components of the Information Infrastructure Development Program (i.e., education, libraries, manufacturing, and health care), and participating agencies. A…

An analysis of the federal Stafford Student Loan Program summarizes its successes, limitations, and numerous problems and explains why reform has not yet occurred. A policy stalemate in Congress, lack of a well-developed reform alternative, and newly professionalized and mobilized interest groups are seen as making change unlikely. (Author/MSE)

This paper describes activities of Canada's Secretary of State (the ministry responsible for the status of disabled persons) toward ensuring equal access to fundamental elements of daily life. These include improving access to postsecondary education through establishment of Centres of Specialization; funding projects of national disability…

Today's special-education programs contribute to schools' disjointedness. Programs come in several varieties, serving children labeled as at risk, learning disabled, low achieving, or gifted. Narrowly framed categorical programs may have produced too few benefits. A recent forum recommends making schools more inclusive and integrated, organizing…

Identifies critical success factors that federal information resources management (IRM) must address, offers recommendations for how best to meet these challenges, and describes opportunities based on discussions with senior IRM leaders. A brief history of federal IRM, beginning with the Commission on Federal Paperwork in 1974, is provided.…

This position paper examines the current Head Start training and technical assistance (TTA) system and proposes specific improvements. These include the creation of regional TTA offices, the use of satellite and interactive communications technology, and a reevaluation of the role of teaching centers, national training contracts, and Head Start…

Long-term poverty rates among nonmetro Blacks have fallen dramatically since the early 1970s. Associated with that improvement are higher levels of education among young adults and smaller family size. Despite improvements, poverty levels are still much higher for Blacks than for Whites in both metro and nonmetro areas. (Author/KS)