This article addresses cultural influences on the family care and community-based rehabilitation of people with disabilities in Asia, especially Hong Kong. Considered are factors influencing the Hong Kong family, the caregiver role, the role of community development, and implications for policy and service delivery in newly industrialized cities…

Analysis of the first cycle of academic program review at the College of St. Catherine (Minnesota) discusses recommendations resulting from reviews, insights about faculty and committee perceptions, and new directions for the second cycle. It is noted that the second cycle will focus more on program activities and output than on traditional input…

Coaches and players were assisted in modifying select rules of a girls' fast-pitch softball league so as to accommodate the skill limitations of a player with moderate to severe disabilities. The girl's batting average and on-base average indicated that modifications were effective. The player was well received by her teammates and other teams.…

From its base at National-Louis University, the Best Practice Project aims to develop teacher and parent leadership in a network of 12 elementary and secondary schools in Chicago. Focused on instruction only, the project is trying to generate genuine teacher-parent partnerships that support learning in student-centered, constructivist classrooms.…

Describes teacher-librarianship programs at eight Canadian Universities that offer on-campus and/or distance education courses. For each university there is a description of the university, the university's programs, on-campus and/or distance education teacher-librarianship courses, and contact information for teacher-librarianship courses and…

This article reviews the current literature on the assessment of students with disabilities with emphasis on evaluating student needs and preferences for transition services as required by federal legislation. Analyses of studies reported in 11 articles are summarized. The review indicates a lack of consensus on the most appropriate ways to assess…

Articles in this special issue consider different aspects of community-level evaluation research and demonstrate the emerging sophistication and promise of this field. Process evaluation, qualitative research, and meta-analysis are promising new directions for ensuring more appropriate levels of analysis and more appropriate outcomes. (SLD)

Discusses research on successful support programs for potential dropouts. Describes a Detroit high school's Ninth Grade Project 96 program, an intervention strategy for high-risk, low-achieving students. The program used a modified block schedule; attendance, academic, and monitoring interventions; incentives and rewards; and team teachers.…

Deinstitutionalizing the mentally ill failed because proper implementation required large-scale societal changes. Dumping disabled kids into regular education without appropriate supports could mirror that fiasco. Inclusion can help create a sense of community through promoting acceptance and respect among classmates. The Social Awareness-Social…

The student loan default rate was 9.6% in 1996, a decline of 12.8% since the 1990 peak, saving the federal government $3 billion over six years. Since 1993 the Department of Education has barred 1065 institutions, mostly for-profit trade schools, from participating in federal student loan programs; institutions with a 40% default rate can lose…

Survey investigated the attitudes, expectations, activities, and recommendations for pharmacy fellowships of 66 preceptors and 57 fellows. There was some discrepancy between preceptors and fellows in activities perceived as being accomplished during fellowship training and in program strengths and weaknesses. Most fellows were very satisfied with…

In 1998, the Houston Public Library launched a new library card campaign. Through extensive outreach, community partnerships, and the support of a major corporation, the program nearly doubled the number of children with cards in one fiscal year and increased juvenile circulation by more than 20%. The program led to an increase in library funding,…

Using research conducted at an urban youth theater program, this paper demonstrates how young artists play organizational roles and act with a sense of agency comparable to that of the corporate world. The paper helps those working in school- and community-based after-school programs see new partnerships and programs as both possible and…

Discusses findings of a study of service-learning programs in middle schools in Kentucky, Massachusetts, and Missouri, particularly noting reasons the programs could be improved to show a greater impact on students. Considers the effects of such programs on students' academic achievement and social development. (JPB)

Transition courses for licensed practical nurses moving into associate degree programs and for registered nurses earning bypass credit in bachelor's degree programs was evaluated through surveys of 237 students and graduates, 68 supervisors, and faculty. Students invested half the time and money as regular students; they wanted better advisement…