Twenty training professionals in different occupational groups rated eight steps in the training process from development to execution to evaluation. Accountability proved to be a key factor in training success, while needs assessment is usually not well executed. (SK)

The article reviews the literature and identifies issues in the lives of LD adults, including socialization, vocational adjustment, and education/training. Implications for future research and programing are noted, including research on skill demands in postsecondary education and programs offering career and vocational education to school-aged LD…

The establishment of a gifted identification system for kindergarten children in a midwest school system is described. Implementation included the following steps: rationale for establishing the program, background and research, methods of screening and identifying participants, design of the program, and techniques of evaluation. (Author)

A display of items and materials (such as prostheses, hearing aids, and braille material) can help nonhandicapped students and teachers appreciate similarities and differences of handicapped students. The development of one such Handicap Awareness Showcase is detailed. (CL)

Reviews the history of state mental health planning from the federal perspective, discusses some state objectives for comprehensive planning, and presents a participatory model for plan development. Demonstrates how the model can be used to produce a mental health plan that is a viable management tool fulfilling many state objectives. (Author/BH)

Based on the characteristic of gifted children to master content quickly and on needs of classroom teachers to provide differentiated instruction in content areas, the teacher institute emphasized the role of the content specialist. The highly significant gain from pre- to posttest suggests the institute curriculum was effective. (Author/CL)

Changes in visual screening procedures that may have occurred over 5 years were investigated. Parameters surveyed included procedures, times, sources of referrals, and personnel. A majority of districts continue to rely on far-point acuity testing. However, in cases where reading problems exist, greater use of vision specialists can be found.…

An inservice consultant describes procedures for assessing teacher needs through conferences, journals, self-rating scales, and observation. Consultation begins once the problem is identified and may include information sharing, team teaching, and child study groups. (CL)

A resource room program for emotionally disturbed children developed in Newfoundland has expanded from one initial unit to six programs operating at all school levels. The program stresses appropriate function in the regular class. (CL)

The article describes one teacher's innovative attempt to involve 10 visually impaired adolescents in a public day school in "Career Month," an activity to assist them in making realistic career choices. (Author/CL)

The article describes an academic events program in which gifted and talented students (grades one to 12) voluntarily participated in a variety of different academic contests. Development and planning aspects are reviewed and several activities suggested. (Author/CL)

The article describes a system for identifying and programing for gifted students in grades K-4. J. Renzulli's Enrichment Triad Model is used, providing three types of enrichment: (1) general exploratory experiences; (2) experiences to develop higher level thinking processes, research skills, and personal/social skills; and (3) independent…

This article serves as a concluding statement to the preceding articles on ways to improve conferences. The author pulls together themes of successful conference planning and participation and reviews the literature base for readers who wish to inquire further. (CT)

The history, philosophy, and importance of family support programs to enhance caregiving capacities of families with disabled children are recounted. Information from a survey of state family support programs is summarized, and successful aspects of Michigan's support subsidy are described. (CL)

The Purdue Mentor Program uses role models for higher-level occupations in business, professions, or management for gifted and talented children in grades 4-12. Students have an opportunity to learn about fields which fit their talents. (CL)