The Federal Direct Student Loan Program is not an improvement over the Federal Family Education Loan Program and is doomed to fail as did a similar large-scale federal program 33 years ago. The program will not save money; the government is ill-equipped to manage it; it has been pushed past its demand; and schools do not want the change. (MSE)

To help State University of New York at Buffalo faculty prepare for new science courses, summer workshops allowed faculty to try new material and methods on 16 students hired as professional critics. Students and faculty praised the experience. It was concluded that students should be included in faculty development workshops as critics and…

A variety of consortial arrangements in higher education are discussed noting advantages such as savings realized through the cooperative efforts, enrichment of academic programs, improved student services and community outreach, as well as obstacles (organizational, procedural, and cultural). Success factors identified include presence of…

This article reviews transition planning requirements specified in the Code of Practice on the Identification and Assessment of Special Educational Needs in Great Britain and the effectiveness of the requirements. The Code's emphasis on social and independent living skills is discussed, as is the need for schools to balance process and procedure.…

Information technology services on campuses are in crisis, due to dramatically increased expectations and stable or dwindling funding. The situation can be improved and service effectiveness enhanced by controlling expectations, reducing work, getting help (student volunteers, experiential learning programs, local experts, consultants, faculty and…

A survey of 164 Pennsylvania general and special education teachers and 1,430 elementary educators nationwide examined their attitudes concerning supports needed for the successful inclusion of students with disabilities. Teachers perceived a need for training, help from personnel outside the classroom, and in-class help such as paraprofessionals.…

This article summarizes findings from the Macomb Project's 15 years of research and provision of model demonstration computer application services to young children with disabilities, their families, and service delivery staff. Staff training, administrative support, technology assessments, family involvement, and transition services are all…

A group of foreign graduate students (n=29) who participated in a study skills and cultural orientation program at a British university found that in comparison with a group not participating (n=26), and contrary to expectation, participating students had more homesickness and psychological difficulties. The findings cast doubt on the common view…

Observes the differences, between mentors and students, regarding the effectiveness of a mentoring program for student teachers at an English "open university." Throughout the course of the semester the students became more discerning and critical of the program. Explores related issues of mentoring and teacher education. (MJP)

This handbook of family support and education programs profiles 73 programs that highlight an array of service arrangements under school sponsorship. The handbook asserts that no one factor makes or breaks a program and that all facets of program development contribute to the degree of success. (SLD)

Addresses research-based issues related to preparing teachers and other professionals to work with children and youth with emotional and behavioral disorders. Discussion includes an identification of basic personnel preparation questions to be addressed, components of an effective training program, steps for establishing program effectiveness, and…

Observes that students participate in a band program for a variety of reasons. Some students love music, some are involved in many different activities, others enjoy the performance aspect, and some simply want to socialize. Maintains that a successful band program needs to accommodate these various agendas. (MJP)

The author responds to Pinnell et al's (1996) call for caution in using cost-benefit analysis in measuring educational reform success. It is argued that reform already is being sold to state legislators and educators in cost-benefit terms and that research has been inappropriately used in the selling process. (GR)

Structural equation models reanalyzed data from the 1969 Westinghouse Head Start evaluation and extended the analysis to blacks and full-year programs. Results showed that the selection bias for summer program whites was absent for blacks and full-year program whites, and that Head Start helped the most disadvantaged children. (SLD)

The beliefs that underpin traditional governance in higher education no longer fit the reality of higher education leadership. Higher education must abandon the quest for the perfect governance structure and attend to the nature of effective governance. Focusing on autonomy and control issues distracts from solving problems of access,…