Online learning is growing rapidly as states and districts are creating new online schools, and existing programs are adding new courses and students. The growth reflects the spreading understanding that online courses and programs can serve a wide variety of students and needs. These include: (1) Creating opportunities for small and rural school…

Secondary vocational-technical education programs in Mississippi are faced with many challenges resulting from sweeping educational reforms at the national and state levels. Schools and teachers are increasingly being held accountable for providing true learning activities to every student in the classroom. This accountability is measured through…

Secondary vocational-technical education programs in Mississippi are faced with many challenges resulting from sweeping educational reforms at the national and state levels. Schools and teachers are increasingly being held accountable for providing true learning activities to every student in the classroom. This accountability is measured through…

The rapid influx of nontraditional students is drastically altering the complexion of teacher preparation programs. The purpose of this study was to identify how the nontraditional student teacher compares to the traditional student teacher regarding concerns about elementary classroom teaching, and to recognize any differences in concerns about…

This manual is designed to help child care providers develop, implement, and evaluate a family development plan for at-risk families. The plan's five components are designed to: (1) identify family strengths; (2) identify family needs; (3) identify community resources; (4) develop and implement a family action plan; and (5) monitor family…

Outdoor playgrounds can be exciting places where children explore their environment and develop motor and social skills; however, they can also pose serious safety hazards. With the exception of California, no mandatory state or federal standards currently exist regarding manufacture or installation of playground equipment or surfaces. The…

This guide was developed as part of a project to standardize California's statewide culinary arts curriculum based on industry guidelines and standards. It details a process that California community colleges can use to plan a hospitality symposium that will accomplish the following objectives: provide students with a forum to demonstrate their…

This action research project evaluated the impact of a 16-week intervention to improve primary school children's conflict resolution skills and to enhance their self-esteem. The targeted population consisted of one kindergarten class, one first-grade class, and one third-grade class at three different elementary schools in the same suburban…

This report provides an overview of the use of functional assessment in the evaluation of individuals with psychiatric disabilities. It begins by discussing the difficulties with traditional forms of assessment and the development of functional assessment, particularly in the field of psychiatric rehabilitation. The need to not rely on any single…

This study was designed to determine which parent involvement strategies are used in Mississippi and which strategies are perceived as important by the states' parents, administrators, and teachers. Fifty school districts were randomly selected for the study. Questionnaires were distributed to parents, teachers, and one elementary and one…

This handbook is designed to assist managers of ACTION grantee programs in evaluating the degree to which the needs of persons with disabilities are incorporated into their programs for physical accessibility of buildings and facilities. After a general discussion of self-evaluation principles and accessibility guidelines, a checklist is provided…

This practicum sought to address the need for increased opportunities for prospective adoptive parents to gain introductory knowledge regarding adoption issues and processes in a rural state in the northeastern United States. A multimedia educational unit containing a 45-minute videotaped presentation and various written materials were developed…

This handbook, which was developed to assist individuals serving as applied communication (AC) trainers to English, business, and vocational education teachers throughout Pennsylvania, contains presentation materials, suggested activities, and selected resources to structure and facilitate inservice training to AC teachers. Part 1 contains…

This practicum attempted to provide five teachers in a preschool special education program with improved strategies for systematic and consistent instructional planning. The objectives included improvement of classroom environments, improved planning for small and large group interactions, and development of methods of individualizing instruction.…

Part 1 of this document summarizes the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. Part 2 reviews the act's provisions that prohibit discrimination against disabled individuals in employment. Topics addressed are: (1) individuals protected under the act; (2) the essential functions of jobs; (3) prohibited discrimination; (4) requirements for…