Reviews and critiques research on full- and extended-day, everyday kindergarten programs. Describes methodological limitations and general weaknesses of the research. Identifies areas for future research. Review indicates that the effect of both full- and extended-day kindergarten on basic academic skills is positive. (RWB)

Notes the importance of practice in facilitating students' reading developnment and presents guidelines for providing practice which are designed around three areas of concern: planning, delivering, and evaluating assignments. (NH)

Key components of science programs for gifted learners are explored and illustrated by a case study that engaged 220 junior high school students in a summer program of lecture, laboratory, problem-solving, tutorial and consultative contact with scientists. Implications for implementing such programs in local settings are discussed. (Author/VW)

Evaluates two respite programs which offer families temporary relief from caring for elderly relatives: an institutional program for those needing constant nursing attention, and a residential plan for those requiring housekeeping and companion services. Benefits for clients, family, and community appear to be indisputable. (Author/ABB)

Compared 40 matched pairs of patients discharged from acute care to either nursing homes or to Hawaii's geriatric foster family care program. Foster family patients showed more improvement in well-being and mobility and equal improvement in activities of daily living skills. The cost of foster family care was 61% that of nursing home care.…

A study was conducted to determine any perceptual differences toward quality circles in a chemical plant. It also tried to determine if any perceptual differences that might be found could be related to attitudes toward the circles themselves or the attitudes toward circle members. Length of service was also a factor. (CT)

The paper discusses efforts to reduce maladaptive behaviors in retarded persons including seven desirable characteristics of behavioral change agents, programmatic factors contributing to failure (such as a reactive rather than active intervention model), appropriate use of reinforcement, reasons clients misbehave, and research based suggestions…

Gentle Teaching, a treatment philosophy for reducing maladaptive behaviors of mentally retarded people, employs methods to reduce or eliminate problem behaviors without using punishment. Analysis indicates a lack of evaluation data for Gentle Treatment and suggests the Least Intrusive Treatment model should not be abandoned. (Author/CB)

Results of a survey of baccalaureate programs for dental hygienists concerning their program structure, objectives, and graduate employment patterns are reported and their implications for program development and research efforts are discussed. (MSE)

This final article in a series on identification of cost/benefits data, formulation of models, and data collection discusses use of cost/benefits analysis results. The following issues are addressed: how to be prepared for study objections; how to increase understanding of your study; and viewing cost/benefit analysis as an iterative activity.…

Discusses various elements of effectiveness in industrial training: the favorable image surrounding training, ease with which employees can enroll for courses, training as a tool of personal development, the evolution of training departments into professional staff units, and budgets. The efforts of training department management are also…

Describes a line manager's successful attempt to design an autonomously run plant. The author discusses the assembly of a team of workers to develop the plant, product design, characteristics of the team members, the employee reward system, role of the plant manager, and the manager's evaluation of the plant's success. (CT)

Describes an early intervention reading program in Gentofte, Denmark, that is designed to maintain rather than remediate reading skills. (FL)

An analysis of nine frequently used introductory special education textbooks examined the information presented and conclusions drawn concerning the efficacy of early intervention. Textbooks were consistent in the content covered, and conclusions were generally consistent with previously published efficacy reviews. Findings are discussed in…

Reports on a study of 34 occupational programs in 17 community colleges which were identified by a local administrator as effective or ineffective. Identifies 15 programmatic factors which were associated with the effective programs. (DMM)