More than ever before, Californians recognize that preschool provides young children with a strong start in school and life. Research confirms that effective preschool not only prepares children for kindergarten, but benefits them in the long-term. Despite the benefits, only 48% of 3- and 4-year-old children attend preschool in California. While…

Young people who live in rural areas are less likely to finish high school and to complete college than their urban and suburban peers. These adolescents are also more likely to use drugs and alcohol: rural adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 have the highest levels of drug use in this age group. Out-of-school-time programs in rural areas…

Discusses the use of computers in educational programs for school-age children in out-of-school settings. Principles for organizing educational activities in which computers are used as tools are discussed; examples of community-based programs are described; and suggestions for funding and staff development are offered. (eight references) (LRW)

Designed to propose ways for the Colorado Department of Education to provide leadership in the implementation of a statewide educational telecommunications network, this study examines ways in which telecommunications can be used by the state department of education, school districts, libraries, and other informational or educational agencies to…

Financial support for implementing technology in the public schools has come from a wide spectrum of sources. How much is being spent, where the funds come from, and whether funding will be sustained ultimately determine the degree to which students will be participants in an increasingly technology-driven society. This edition highlights the pros…

Key elements of a continuum of services for individuals with autism and other severe behavior disorders are described, focusing on development of a strong central organization; funding; staff recruitment, training, supervision, and evaluation; program evaluation; outreach parent training; home-based early intervention; vocational training;…

In this paper, we attempt to give an insider's perspective on mainland China's tertiary vocational education/training (VET) through reflecting upon its recent history, the social and economic conditions for its current growth and survival, and the challenges facing its future. We will take stock of four major problems that have been hindering the…

These proceedings address five themes that emerged from discussions among 28 of the nation's most experienced leaders in the uses of technology in higher education: (1) access and equity; (2) quality teaching and learning environments; (3) training and support systems; (4) collaboration and cooperation; and (5) finance. Technical, attitudinal, and…

Two papers concerning staff development for small/rural community colleges are presented. In the first, practices at small/rural colleges are contrasted with those at larger and more urban colleges. It is noted that (1) small colleges try to keep pace with institutional growth and development needs mostly in the area of curriculum, disregarding…

New directions for community based residential programs and changes that may occur during the 1980s are discussed. (Author/SEW)

Presents three addresses given at a conference at the College of St. Thomas (Minnesota) by Terrel H. Bell, Scott D. Thomson, and Theodore R. Sizer on the priorities of American secondary education from a national perspective. Jean Parent, Lloyd Nielsen, and Willard McGuire respond. (WD)

The increasing number of individuals infected with symptomatic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has created a need to examine public policy issues and to further efforts in planning, implementing, and evaluating services for individuals with HIV infection and their families. A working conference was convened, which identified several…

This report presents information collected at a pre-conference roundtable on various aspects of mentoring programs which are seen as a potential solution to the staffing crisis in early childhood education. Part 1 defines the terms "mentoring" and "mentoring programs." It describes the nature of the relationship between mentors…

Six policy issues emerging from a Midwest dissemination conference on the Richardson Study are highlighted. The focus is on facilitating policy initiatives in gifted education among local and state school districts. Policy statements on each of the following issues are cited: improving identification procedures; articulating goals, programs, and…

Discusses CD-ROM technology in conjunction with three components of the virtual library: (1) a fully functional computerized network; (2) digital information that is content rich; (3) knowledgeable users. These concepts are related to the results of a study of CD-ROM applications in 301 secondary-school library media centers. (eight references)…