This federally mandated report describes Fiscal Year 1993 activities of the National Council on Disability, which provides leadership in the development and evaluation of disability policy. The report states the mission of the Council and names of its members and staff. It provides synopses of research conferences, news conferences, testimony…

The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), an arm of the Library of Congress, leads a highly successful national program to produce and distribute books and magazines for blind, visually impaired, and physically handicapped individuals. A fostering relationship exists between NLS and a network of 143 regional and…

A model for preparing teachers to teach successfully in a performance-based educational environment using Total Quality Management principles is called Total Quality Performance (TQP). On the TQP model everyone is involved in a process of continuous improvement toward the achievement of performance outcomes that are clearly defined and consistent…

Information about the specific literacy levels, needs, motivations, and resources of older adults is virtually nonexistent. As the percentage of older adults in the U.S. population continues to increase, federal/state policymakers must take the following actions: increase the attention/funding given to literacy programs targeting older adults;…

Too many four-year colleges and universities have failed to develop policies for recognizing knowledge gained outside four-year college programs. Several universities are, however, beginning to respond to the needs of adult learners with years of experiential learning (EL), especially that acquired through work experience or on-the-job training.…

With the growing politicization of education, the increasing number of educational reports and commissions, the growing interdependence of nations and their economic systems, this paper explores which factors normally shape education systems. Specifically, it identifies the extraneous and international forces shaping the intellectual agenda and…

Case studies of three states were conducted to examine different approaches to the development of policies concerning early intervention, family support, and interagency provisions under Part H of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The study utilized a qualitative methodology aimed at discovering grounded theory (theory generated…

The Study of Successful Indicators (SIS) project in metropolitan school districts is one study within the Southwest Regional Laboratory's Metropolitan Educational Trends and Research Outcomes (METRO) Center. The mission of METRO is to address schooling issues surrounding the increasing numbers of educationally disadvantaged students in the Pacific…

This review of eligibility criteria for students with special needs was the result of a 2-month analysis of the Massachusetts special education law and the current state of education within Massachusetts. The review was intended to examine the original intent of the special education statute, possible reasons for the high number of special…

The key dimensions of issues related to the integration of successive waves of immigrants are outlined. It is argued that a federal immigrant policy is needed, in which the Federal Government would assume some of the cost burden of public services to immigrants that states and localities now shoulder by themselves. Requiring the Federal Government…

Some of the most critical and troubling issues in juvenile justice are addressed to serve as a catalyst and resource for developing sound juvenile justice public policy decisions. The following chapters examine juvenile court policies, special issues, and cost-effective interventions, and present findings of a national survey of public attitudes…

This volume presents 13 essays on urban problems in the United States, particularly in Los Angeles (California) following the 1992 riots, and policy options for the future. Part 1 addresses policies of the past three decades; Part 2 looks at children, youth, and families; Part 3 discusses crime and criminal justice; and Part 4 examines public…

The provision of secondary vocational education to adult offenders in the Texas state prison system was assessed. Discussions held with inmates established that most adult inmates are former at-risk youths who eventually dropped out of high school and who have low self-esteem and poor morale because of their frustrating educational experiences.…

Community recreation services provide enjoyable, interesting and challenging opportunities that will enhance the well-being and healthy development of participants, enrich community life, and provide life skills training for youth. Leisure skills and interests gained in adolescence contribute significantly to the development of human competence…

In 1986, the Southern Regional Education Board Career Ladder Clearinghouse reported that 29 states were implementing, or had mandates to develop, career ladder or teacher incentive programs based on student performance. The 50-state survey reported on here revisits the issue of teacher and school incentive programs. The report provides a framework…