This feature issue of IMPACT focuses on the empowerment of families with a member who has a developmental disability. It presents strategies and models for a collaborative, respectful approach to service provision, and presents the experiences of families in seeking support and assistance. Feature articles include "Two Generations of…

This theme issue covers "High School Programming" and approaches to meeting the needs of gifted high school students in Texas. The first article is "Thematic Interdisciplinary Curricula for Secondary Gifted Students in English and Social Studies" (Joel E. McIntosh and April W. Meacham). This approach is contrasted with the…

This study examined how the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1992 have been implemented in one state's vocational rehabilitation (VR) system. Eleven state and local office administrators and counselors participated in three focus groups that were organized so that members with similar positions and experiences in the VR system participated in the…

One of a series of sixteen knowledge transformation papers, this paper examines the concept of the least restrictive alternative for handicapped students as it applies to vocational education and provides representative models of service delivery systems. First, the origin of the least restrictive environment concept is traced, including the…

Four issues of "The Forum," a publication of the New York State Federation of Chapters of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), contain the following major articles: "Integration, Mainstreaming or Inclusion...Who's On First?" (Tim Knoster); "Links to the Community: Why Inclusion?" (John B. Kish and Leslie A.…

This monograph addresses issues and problems related to identification of and programming for gifted/talented children of preschool, kindergarten, and primary age. Barriers to early identification and programming are identified. A rationale for early identification and programming is presented, followed by administrative options including…

This study examined the variety of service delivery models used to provide services to preschool children with disabilities in nine diverse communities across three states (Colorado, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania). Information was derived primarily from interviews conducted with community preschool program administrators, service providers, and…

This issue of "Focal Point" addresses the delivery of services to children who are ethnic minorities of color and who have severe emotional disabilities. The cover article offers five keys to the provision of professionally competent services with such children: awareness and acceptance of cultural differences, awareness of the professional's own…

This study attempted to determine the number of programs for Canadian students with behavioral disorders, identify practices currently used in these programs, and examine the availability of written program descriptions. A literature review provides information on: definition and prevalence (both in general and in Canada specifically); historical…

This study surveyed local interagency coordinating councils (LICCs) required under Part H of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act concerning: the composition of council membership; information regarding frequency of meetings, membership turnover, and other demographic characteristics of the groups; and how well the LICCs are…

A new conceptual framework for comparative analysis of distance higher education systems, called the Systems Analysis, Typology and Shaping Mechanism (SATS), was used to compare the structures and functions of the DE systems of Australia (which includes external studies and open learning components) and China (which includes correspondence…

This document contains summaries of the presentations and discussions that were part of a conference on human resource development (HRD) research and practice across Europe that focused on the theme of creativity and innovation in learning. The document begins with summaries of the following presentations: "Introduction" (Jim Stewart);…

Collaboration between welfare and workforce development agencies has increased since the implementation of welfare reform. Federal legislation, state and local policy-making environments, and the capacity of potential partners to serve an agency's clients affect agency collaboration. The following broad approaches to collaboration have been…

This interdisciplinary scientific journal emphasizes the linkage between special education and rehabilitation services. Selected papers from the first two issues include: "The Impact of Current Issues in Teacher Education on the Preparation of Special Educators" (Patricia Edelen-Smith and others); "Training Teachers and Parents To Work…

Offering new perspectives on academic advising in community colleges, this book defines developmental academic advising, describes the organization and delivery of advising services, and discusses key components of effective programs. The following 10 chapters are included: (1) "Developmental Academic Advising," by Thaddeus M. Raushi,…