The recent midterm elections brought New England two new governors. Rhode Island elected its first woman chief executive in Gina Raimondo (D). Massachusetts elected Charlie Baker (R), a former Harvard Pilgrim CEO and official in the Weld and Cellucci administrations. Otherwise, the New England corner offices cautiously welcomed back incumbents:…

The Comprehensive Plan for the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) in New York State contains both long-range goals and short-term actions for the next 20 years with a series of specific actions proposed for the current 3-year (1985-87) period. The first chapter provides program background with sections on OVR'S mission, recent trends in…

Conference proceedings are summarized from a 1979 national conference on regulations for Title VII of the Rehabilitation, Comprehensive Services, and Developmental Disabilities of 1978 (P.L. 95-602) which provides for a three part program in independent living for disabled persons. Conference participants represented a wide variety of…

This collection of essays makes some attempts to define the humanities and explore the social role they might play. Part 1 examines the role of the humanist in society and suggests that the humanist can perform a function when "justification" (the determination of what is right and wrong) is necessary. In part 2, the topic "the…

The article advocates extension of "permanency planning" in out-of-home placements to include children and youth with developmental disabilities. Though some states currently operate programs according to the principles of permanency planning, significant changes in existing federal policy are recommended to require permanency planning…

Adult educators and associations must know how public policy is made, be familiar with policy issues in the field, and organize and work together to effect policy developments at the state and Federal levels. (SK)

Describes Minnesota's responses to the challenges of secondary student achievement and transition to college or employment: "fast-track" planning, tech prep, postsecondary enrollment options, early assessment for developmental education, alignment of graduation standards and college preparation, achievement documentation, and charter…

Examines the extent to which state mandates, including legislation, policies, rules, and practices, establish the context within which many student tracking systems are initiated, designed, and implemented. Reviews trends and considers the diversity among state approaches. (DMM)

This commentary discusses the structure of residential care in the United States, the aging of caregivers and the growing demand for services, the increased longevity of persons with developmental disabilities, the long waiting lists for services, and state initiatives to address waiting lists. Policy considerations and recommendations are…

The major issue of educational quality is linked to the potential of national and state assessment programs. It is suggested that changes in assessment design, analysis, and reporting can significantly contribute to improvement in the policy development process. The California Assessment Program illustrates how state assessment information may be…

Claims that increasingly, decisions about whether or how resources will be allocated to young children and families will be made at the state level. Explores the questions answered by the policy document, "Map and Track: State Initiatives for Young Children and Families," and the significance of these questions. Highlights findings and…

This report presents the conclusion of about 50 leaders in government, business, and education who met to consider the status and future of higher education in New Mexico. Following an executive summary, individual sections of the report address the following categories: the process of the roundtable; the current status of higher education in New…

This brief report highlights the issues, evidence, and first steps toward including students with disabilities in educational data systems. The report notes that if students with disabilities are excluded from educational data collection systems, policy makers do not have an adequate set of information from which to make policy decisions. The…

This report examines possible steps the State of Illinois might take to expand the availability of Medicaid support for services to persons with developmental disabilties. Stressed throughout are the importance of: (1) evaluating whether any given application of Medicaid funding is consistent with the State's goals for persons with developmental…

If the supply of day care is ever to keep pace with the rapidly rising demand, it is essential that there be a favorable climate for its growth. At present there is not, and the regulatory obstacle course laid out by state and local officials is in large part why. State barriers to the provision of day care involve licensing and registration and…