This article examines how states are responding to requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act for development of large-scale alternate assessment and accountability of learners with significant disabilities. It stresses the need for a deliberate process that focuses on achieving meaningful outcomes within the context of…

This qualitative policy study of 6 states and 12 school districts identified 6 factors that influenced implementation of least restrictive environment provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Factors included financing, the state-local context, organization, advocacy, implementors, and knowledge and values. The study…

Analyzes public policy and political issues that affect Indiana's library information services. Reviews the effects of these issues on Indiana's single statewide network created via a massive voluntary restructuring partnership between the Indiana State Library and 10 independent Library Service Authorities. An appendix presents Indiana's plan for…

Explains the development of library networks in Florida and the role of the state library. Topics include regional multitype library consortia; a statewide bibliographic database; interlibrary loan; Internet access in public libraries; government information, including remote public access; automation projects; telecommunications; and free-nets.…

Reviews recent telecommunications activities in Maine. Highlights include state legislation that addresses regulatory developments; public utilities; public access through libraries; education networks, including elementary and secondary schools and higher education; Internet access; economic and community development; and the governor's…

Describes Virginia's statewide and community electronic resource access projects, including the Blacksburg Electronic Village, connected with Virginia Tech and the Internet; a public education network; a consortium of college and university libraries; the state library's digital initiative; and a cooperative library network. (LRW)

Describes the development of library technology and the need for telecommunications in a state with a lack of population density. Topics include the state library's role; shared library resources and library networks; government information; the Wyoming State Home Page on the World Wide Web; Ariel software; network coordinating; and central…

SCANSLink (Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills) is a statewide model for postsecondary faculty professional development in Texas. This article discusses SCANSLink's evolution into an Internet-accessible electronic newsletter and its design for viewer feedback and interaction though electronic mail and hypertext links. Focusing on…

Argues that the pendulum between federal and state education initiatives has swung to the states; reviews the extent to which state standards have incorporated the recommendations of "Geography for Life." Concludes that the translation of "Geography for Life" into state standards is uneven due to problems of accessibility. (DSK)

Analysis of data from state programs providing financial assistance for needy persons and disability prevalence data led to recommendations such as expanding access to health care and quality early childhood care for at-risk children, promoting the use of behavioral health services, lowering eligibility standards, and increasing the use of Social…

Reports expenditures on tobacco control programs in California schools since 1989 and data from students interviewed as part of the California Tobacco Surveys in 1990, 1993, and 1996. Results indicate that the provision of substantial money for tobacco control to schools from 1989-1997 was not sufficient to ensure that effective interventions were…

Presents similarities and differences between two learning assistance centers in liberal arts universities in Minnesota (USA) and New South Wales (Australia). Finds that differences appear to be based on academic learning tasks required of students. Compares programs offered by these two learning assistance centers based on historical trends and…

Explains why school libraries need to share resources and describes a number of projects that share physical, intellectual, and digital resources. Highlights include district union catalogs and integrated systems; consortia and community catalogs with public libraries; statewide union catalogs; statewide integrated systems; gateways; and statewide…

Examines the relationship between statewide implementation of comprehensive guidance and counseling programs and indicators of success and safety for seventh graders (N=22,601). Students attending schools with more fully implemented comprehensive programs reported: feeling safer attending schools; having better relationships with their teachers;…

A model of developmentally appropriate practice in helping teachers grow is described. The model derives from a consideration of the psychological processes by which adults learn, and our desire to teach adults by the same methods we hope they will use in teaching children. The model includes a sequence of six kinds of interactions that the…