This article identifies potential users of disability-related information, lists categories of information need, considers information management at the national and local levels, offers an eight-step series of questions to guide in the provision of information services, and discusses sources of funding. (DB)

Teachers should develop a communication system in order to gather performance information on handicapped students entering a regular classroom. (JD)

Key steps in deciding on a new career program include having a program planning model, identifying a planning officer, gathering the necessary planning data, conducting a feasibility study, and understanding the institution's program approval process. (Author/MSE)

Presents a planning guide for implementation of online services at a public library, consisting of: (1) identification of public service goals and online reference objectives, (2) needs assessment, (3) manipulating the political environment, (4) project description, (5) time schedule, (6) preliminary budget, and (7) evaluation. (SW)

A model is presented for the development of effective, flexible student information systems that are directed by users' needs rather than other forces. The conceptual design, detail design, and policy consideration are discussed. Focus is on the development process rather than the final product. (MSE)

An approach to cost analysis that begins in the department, the lowest organizational level, is discussed, using tables designed to outline the distribution of instructional staff resources and academic program characteristics such as enrollment, student characteristics, curricula requiring the course, and staff cost data, by course. (MSE)

Discusses the accessibility of networked information services, i.e., NREN (National Research and Education Network), and suggests a focus on research in two particular areas to identify and meet the information needs of network users: (1) a conceptual description of the academic networked environment, particularly from a user perspective; and (2)…

The paper describes an inservice workshop on learning disabilities for college faculty including the processes used to assess needs and promote inservice involvement. Positive inservice evaluations suggested attainment of program goals of providing information about learning disabilities and discussing ethical and pedagogical issues concerning…

A mixed-method program evaluation, concurrently using both qualitative interview data and quantitative questionnaire data, was conducted. It illustrated significant design and analysis issues related to integrating quantitative and qualitative methods, specifically between-method and cross-paradigm triangulation. (Author/GDC)

Presents an analysis of problems of resource allocation in the school library and a practical operations research approach toward accountability. Four planning instruments are included in the solution procedure: inventory of services; preference form; data collection guide; and program costing matrix. (Author/MBR)

Government and private agencies in Alberta, Canada, have voluntarily joined to establish the Alberta Disability Database, to bring statistical order out of the numerical chaos of disability data. This paper discusses the program's financing, confidentiality, definitions, access, archiving, consultation, and coordination. (JDD)

Energy cost-avoidance programs are seen as providing the unique opportunity to involve the entire campus in an effort that has an impact not only on the campus but also on broader national problems. Several aspects of the comprehensive energy management program at the University of Pennsylvania are discussed. (MLW)

Underscores growing interest in community college occupational education. Discusses challenges and problems resulting from imitation and competition by industries and professional associations. Considers problems related to specialized accreditation, contact-hour regulations, policies impeding community colleges from meeting lifelong learning…

Conducted a needs assessment of 261 students to assess career planning needs by class and to make program recommendations. Results showed 68 percent of the students reported little chance of changing majors. Freshmen and sophomores had more career planning needs. Career programs developed in response to these needs are described. (JAC)

While Internet content relating to black culture is burgeoning, and scholars want to make more available, the cost of selecting and organizing materials is hindering their efforts. Some innovative approaches are being used, including an online course on media, technology, and diversity and a compact-disk collection of research on slave trading.…