Communities across the country are grappling with different approaches to improving their schools. Introducing or expanding charter schools is one of the approaches that states and school districts have considered or implemented. Charter schools serve more than 5 percent of public school students nationwide and make up close to 7 percent of all…

This handbook for South Carolina vocational education advisory groups is a procedural guide designed for both advisory group members and educators. It contains suggestions on how councils and committees may be established and used in local vocational education programs for program improvement. Local vocational advisory council provisions are…

This monograph explores many of the issues related to teacher assessment. In Section I, the criteria for teacher assessment and evaluation are discussed. An analysis is given of the issues involved in teacher assessment in the second section. Among the issues considered are the validity of research findings on teacher effectiveness, measurement…

As states confront budget shortfalls, investment in mental health services faces the chopping block. Almost every state has instituted cost containment strategies in its Medicaid programs and state policymakers have begun to cut services for people with mental health treatment needs. The first part of this report presents research on state cuts to…

Adapted from a speech given at the 1985 conference of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, this discussion addresses issues concerning the formation of a national child care policy and describes factors contributing to "child carelessness" in the conception and delivery of child care services. (KS)

This book provides educators, counselors, policy makers, and community members with information about the state of the art of federal and state policy in guidance and counseling. The two chapters in part 1, Overview, are: "Foundations for Policy in Guidance and Counseling: An Introduction", by Edwin L. Herr and Nancy M. Pinson; and…

This program guide assists in discussions of critical social and political issues by providing a framework for considering which conditions warrant a use of military force. The guide examines the question from two different but related angles: military force and those reasons for war most commonly offered. The document includes the following…

In response to the rapid growth of computer crime and such illegitimate practices as piracy and fraud, the National Institute of Justice and the Office for Educational Research and Improvement have formed a partnership to promote school programs on the ethical uses of new technologies. This report, the first of the partnership, is designed to…

This executive summary crystallizes the main themes of a study that is intended to help policymakers, advocates, community members, and welfare administrators create a welfare system to do more for children and do it better. The study was prompted by the Family Support Act of 1988. The following programs that have been successful in providing…

This handbook was written to demonstrate the procedure for setting up and running a citizen advisory council for vocational education programs. Organized into seven sections, the handbook provides information on the background and purposes of an advisory council, procedures for establishing a council, council operations, the council role, public…

Using the conceptual framework outlined in "Building Communities: A Vision for a New Century," a 1988 report of the American Association of Community and Junior Colleges, this guidebook explores eight phases in the development and implementation of a strategic plan. Chapter I provides an overview of the planning process and the essential…

The development of a technology policy for the future was discussed at the winter 1985 meeting of the Business-Higher Education Forum, which met with congressional groups such as the Northeast-Midwest Congressional Coalition and the Congressional Clearinghouse on the Future. These proceedings include summaries of roundtable discussions on the…

This report presents recommendations that address needed changes and improvements in state policies, administrative practices, and school and community service programs, in relation to school-to-adult-life transition of young people with disabilities in Minnesota. Recommendations were derived from two sources: (1) reviews of state plans and…

The emerging youth service movement has reinforced and built on the foundation of service in traditional organizations and focuses on tapping youth talent and energy. Youth service is a concept that has roots in pre-20th century American society. Service programs today increasingly include training, education, prevention, and employment…

This monograph is designed to help employers, employees, managers, and union officials develop effective workplace policies and programs to prevent drug and alcohol abuse and other health problems. The text of the monograph: (1) presents information regarding the costs of drug and alcohol use in the workplace, and evidence of potential…