This report examines current assessment and eligibility practices relating to special education programs, and proposes changes to current policy and practice that will encourage and support a process that emphasizes determining student need, designing effective interventions, and evaluating outcomes. The paper views the emphasis in federal and…

A collection of articles on adult literacy education includes essays, letters, poetry, interviews, research reports, and discussions of issues in literacy and adult basic education in both developing and developed countries. The first section contains brief articles about programs and initiatives in developing countries, including Madagascar,…

This paper argues for a more robust and encompassing understanding of the roles and functions of institutional research in higher education institutions in the context of fundamental shifts in the way decisions are being made in colleges and universities. In particular institutional researchers can no longer simply collect, analyze and disseminate…

Achieving good quality in Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) training is hampered by the lack of a common definition of quality. Five ideas have been consistent in definitions: targeting programs; long-term, in-depth training; basic education; work skills training; and supportive services and guidance. A definition must include suggestions on how…

To assist low-income rural schools with school improvement and dropout prevention, the Southwest Educational Development Laboratory (SEDL) has undertaken a multi-year project at five demonstration sites. This paper shares observations and lessons learned from the experiences of the five school districts involved in SEDL's partnership strategy. The…

This paper focuses on the preparation of personnel to provide services to developmentally at risk infants and young children. Efforts in preparing direct service personnel should specifically define the population of children to be served, emphasize interdisciplinary preparation while recognizing the importance of disciplinary preparation, have a…

The relationship between agricultural extension agents and wheat farmers in the Medina region, Saudi Arabia, was analyzed, based on each group's perception of the relationship. Participants were 73 randomly selected wheat farmers and 31 of 34 agricultural extension agents working in the region during spring 1990. Farmers were interviewed, and…

Arguing that the principal is a major player in any phase of educational change, this paper describes the principal's critical role in planning for change in a library media center. The paper is divided into three sections. In Section 1 the first of the two major phases of planning for change is described. It is noted that during this "initiation"…

As a result of the 1988 Chicago School Reform Act, a number of powers previously exercised at the central administration or board level have devolved upon the Local School Councils (LSCs) and principals. The cooperation of 14 representative schools was enlisted for an ongoing qualitative study of the dynamics of reform at the local level. To date,…

For 3 years, the teachers, administrators, board of education members, and community representatives of San Diego, California, have been working on defining, developing, and implementing restructuring plans at approximately 50 schools. This paper documents and analyzes the development of a new middle school, O'Farrell Community School: Center for…

Using the Dunkin and Biddle model, this field study examined the effects of the application of the assessment and goal-setting stage of the Enhanced Normative Systems Model (ENSM) on change at a state university. The ENSM, a blending of the Normative Systems Model and Metanoic Principles, emphasizes participant decision making and cultural change.…

The Cupertino-Fremont Model Technology Schools (MTS) Project was designed to provide teachers with working knowledge and access to technology while achieving an ultimate goal of integrating technology into instruction to develop students' higher order thinking. By the end of the project's third year, 15 months of research had been completed to…

Although the "what" of schooling has become clearer through a convergence of research findings, educators still do not understand the "hows" of effectively using that knowledge to make necessary changes. This paper's objectives are to argue the necessity of fundamental changes in the patterns of schooling (the "whys") and to present a conceptual…

The eight goals and the corresponding strategies outlined in this document reflect Ohio's special education plan for the 1990's. The goals are based on Ohio's mission of special education for students with handicaps, which is to prepare each student to be a contributing member of society by providing high-quality programs, research, and services…

Financial problems confronting schools and colleges of education in major, comprehensive universities were assessed. Interviews were conducted to determine current resources and collegiate missions. Each institution indicated which of four categories described its circumstances: downsizing, eroding, treading, or enhancing. The role of leadership…