Survey results from 48 state agencies for the blind provide statistical data on independent living programs for the elderly and multiply impaired blind. Conclusions are presented regarding the growth of the older blind population and the consequent policy issues, independent living service components, and need for additional resources. (JDD)

Survey responses of 50 State Directors of Special Education indicated wide discrepancies among states in how extended year services for severely handicapped students are provided. The article presents legal and educational bases in support of extended year programing and stresses the need for empirically based program guidelines. (Author/DB)

Describes legislative, corporate, and educational cooperation that has allowed the 30 community colleges of New York State to emerge as economic development forces in their communities to foster increased productivity and an improved economic climate. Sees state-funded contract courses leading to increased worker productivity and enhanced…

The article describes the Utah Community-Based Transition Project, a federally funded project on transition planning for severely disabled youth. The planning process is aimed at facilitating coordination and expansion of community services for each graduate. Barriers facing states as they attempt to implement effective transition planning models…

An electronic news service called REDINET provides Indiana school management with statewide coverage of legislative committees, state agencies, and others. Individual school districts and subgroups are also able to communicate with each other. (MLF)

Highlights recent efforts to create a national social studies curriculum and briefly discusses the new California state curriculum guide. Reports on the efforts of ERIC/ChESS to include state and local curriculum guides in the database, identifies several available resources, and encourages readers to contribute guides for consideration. (GEA)

Describes the evolution of the Maine career information delivery system and the cooperation between state agencies to deliver high quality and timely career information. (JOW)

State directors of teacher certification and testing provided updated data (reports, press clippings, manuals, legislative hearings, and validity studies) in April 1987 describing their testing programs and the latest passing rates. Twenty-seven states have admissions testing programs, and 44 have certification testing programs. It is unclear…

The availability of trainees, service providers, private employers, and low effective costs attest to the success of the Massachusetts Supported Work model, a state-funded transitional employment program for mentally retarded persons, featuring graduated stress and performance requirements, intensive supervision, supportive services, easy…

The problems of cities influence the amount of state aid which is given. More aid is allocated in states with needier cities. Reformist political climates have also helped to gain state allotments for distressed cities. The record of states in this matter is better than that of the federal government. (VM)

Asserts that mental health planning has been limited by conceptual and logistical restraints, causing planning to be isolated from management and ineffectual in describing total system of services required by persons experiencing severe mental illness. Describes application of new ideas and information technologies which can yield enhanced…

This article describes some of the lessons learned from the problems of South Carolina school districts with current individual and group incentive plans. It is suggested that group incentive programs are generally more effective if they are locally administered and linked to specific school improvement plans. (TE)

Explains the role of the California Employment Training Panel in ensuring that public monies are well spent by guaranteeing that training leads directly to employment. Emphasizes the importance of job training as a tool for economic development. (AYC)

Reviews programs in the state of Maine that are designed to inventory the natural heritage of critical areas, rare species, and exemplary natural features. Discusses how the information acquired by these programs is being used for public information efforts and educational programs in the schools. (ML)

Reports that librarians in Nebraska find the Golden Sower Award program to be a positive force in influencing children's reading habits and awareness of literature. (FL)