Activities of the California State Department of Education related to the Early Childhood Education Program were audited, specifically: (1) overall data management and processing; (2) information quality for the evaluation of program impact; (3) treatment of standardized test data; and (4) procedures for expansion funding and termination. (CP)

Describes the communication system being developed by the Virginia State Science Service to obtain more systematic input from the local school systems and to give better information feedback from the state level. (Author/MA)

Describes statewide use of MITINET, a microcomputer automation system created to aid resource sharing among small libraries and serve as tool for converting card catalog information to MARC format computer-readable files. Highlights include conversion stages, entering data on microfiche, vendor's role, local level, costs and system requirements,…

Describes North Carolina's state-supported programs linking community colleges to industrial training needs. Reviews cooperative skills training centers, state priority programs, new and expanding industry training, and state legislative support. Reviews strategies that have been successful nationally. (DMM)

Responses of 95 Oregon program coordinators regarding the status of public school hearing conservation suggested the following problems: large numbers of children excluded from program identification and management, wide variability across programs, and nonexistent audiologist participation in hearing conservation. Agency and professional…

A national survey of state coordinators of specialized service programs for children with deaf-blindness examined program characteristics including administrative structure, teacher certification requirements, technical assistance, eligibility determination, educational placement, curricula/instructional settings, transition, and unmet educational…

State policymakers have the following options in attempting to ameliorate the high school dropout problem: (1) additional money; (2) general aid or targeted aid; (3) incentives or mandates. Research findings on the effect of each of those options are summarized and suggestions for state policies are made. (PS)

Describes the development and current status of state plans that address depository departments in regional libraries. The effectiveness of existing programs is assessed, and suggestions for improvements are offered. (CLB)

Before using the National Teacher Examinations (NTE) for teacher certification, states are required to conduct a state-wide validity study. This paper describes approaches used in 35 studies for 18 states to establish (NTE) content validity through curriculum and job relatedness and to establish minimum performance standards. (BS)

Reviews federal and Alabama state legislation to protect and help individuals with handicaps. Discusses ways that colleges can adequately accommodate special needs students. Points to organizations and services which can assist colleges, e.g., the Vocational Rehabilitation Service and Job Accommodation Network. (DMM)

Describes study of rural or small town community development programs funded by the Small Town Emphasis Program. Outlines program factors including competition, innovation, needs assessment, low income involvement, networks, technical assistance, efficiency, strategy, and timing. Provides examples of six programs and recommends future development…

States have created two types of educational improvement programs: school-based programs (engaging local school people in planning, problem-solving, and implementing strategies) and instructionally focused programs for bettering teacher and administrator skills. Successful programs progress through initiation, implementation, and…

Discusses the power that local school districts and schools exert over the eventual success or failure of state government initiatives. Analyzes three major hurdles that reform efforts must surmount at the district and school levels: affecting classroom instruction; eliciting a commitment of local resources; and becoming integrated into other…

1982-83 Georgia Regents' Testing Program reading subtest scores and five aptitude/achievement variables of 256 Black and 3009 White Georgia University sophomores were compared. Classification analysis showed White students scored higher. Results were compared to the National Assessment of Education Program findings. (BS)

The details of Tennessee's Master Teacher Program are described. Teacher evaluation focuses on four areas: classroom planning, teaching strategies, class management, and student evaluation. (TE)