This article describes the efforts funded by the state of Colorado to address unacceptably high rates of expulsion from child care. Based on the results of a 2006 survey, the state of Colorado launched two complementary policy initiatives in 2009 to impact expulsion rates and to improve the use of evidence-based practices related to challenging…

Students with low-incidence disabilities frequently receive less than optimal psychoeducational services because the specialized tests and instructional materials required to meet their idiosyncratic needs often are unavailable due to budget constraints, inadequate training of school personnel, and the difficulty school personnel have keeping…

Calls for cultural sensitivity in the design and implementation of human services programs have become a standard response to the increasing diversity among the families and communities being served. In this article, we take a critical look at the construct, using data from a multi-year evaluation of a statewide family support program. We examine…

A three-year project to train Michigan vision consultants regarding new role responsibilities and skills began with a needs assessment and a conference on change and the means for producing change. Future activities will center on developing administrative skills and increasing knowledge of the educational needs of visually handicapped pupils. (CL)

The article outlines the process used in Oregon to initiate a Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD) in special education. Factors contributing to the CSPD success include extensive involvement of a wide array of people in the process, clear responsibility outlines, and workable size of the cooperative personnel planning council. (CL)

Lessons for gifted education inservice derived from the Illinois Area Service Centers include: attention to real needs, well planned developmental models, training efforts targeted toward specific outcomes for specific groups, opportunity for followup observation and monitoring, and techniques for continuing personal staff development and renewal.…

The study investigated the effects of indigenous contingencies in altering administratively related behaviors (including (1) completing federally required reports on student progress, (2) tardiness, and (3) completing weekly timesheets) with 87 employees at a residence for moderately or severely retarded individuals. (Author/PHR)

The first paper (by Jim Jarrett) in this monograph on the Kansas State Inservice Plan offers an overview of one facet of staff development plans, i.e., peer coaching and its effectiveness in teacher inservice education. The next paper (by Dan Neuenswander) reviews the Kansas State Department of Education Inservice Plan, defining inservice and/or…

The Illinois Model has been developed in the hopes of again producing excellence in education. The model provides for inservice experience to update teachers, the use of staff development activities to develop curricular instructional materials, and effective dissemination of the materials. (JOW)

Partnerships among education agencies including institutions of higher education, local school districts, and the State Department of Education offer tremendous opportunities for attaining the mutual goal of educational improvement in Mississippi. A collaborative staff development program for teachers is described. (CB)

The training, experience, and temperament of professional school staff does not prepare them to judge the strengths or weaknesses of school programs or make recommendations for improvement. Suggestions for priorities in teacher training institutions to improve this situation are presented. (JMF)

This article highlights the LSTA-grant funded California Local History Digital Resources Project (LHDRP) as a case study of a collaborative statewide program involving three primary groups: cultural heritage institutions, grant funding agencies, and digital library service providers. It explores how the infrastructure of the California Digital…

This paper describes the Oklahoma Statewide Training and Regional Support (STARS) program, a system of early intervention inservice training developed to comply with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Part H. Major challenges included identification of technical assistance needs, facilitation of training attendance, identification…

Reports results of a survey of states concerning state provisions for mediation to settle disputes in gifted education. It finds that 21 states have such provisions at either the state level or as a local option. Advocates for gifted education are urged to publicize the availability of mediation services and encourage staff development in its use.…

The Texas Commission for the Blind's (TCB's) braille literacy initiative is an agency-based program designed to enhance the braille skills of teaching staff. In addition, TCB has established braille-production stations in 30 of its district offices and offers technical assistance to regional rehabilitation personnel. (Author)