This annual report details the July 1, 1997-September 30, 1998 activities of First Steps, a system of early intervention services for Missouri children with disabilities, developmental delays, or special health care needs from birth to age three and their families. First Steps is a cooperative, collaborative, interagency effort of the state…

NMSA/AMLE's position paper "This We Believe" has come to be recognized as the best articulation of the middle school concept, the accepted standard. But inevitably, a position paper speaks in visionary generalizations; to move these ideals into actual practice is a very demanding task, but one that has to be undertaken if needed and…

Describes a two-phase stemming algorithm which consists of word root identification and automatic selection of word variants starting with same word root from inverted file. Use of algorithm in book catalog file is discussed. Ten references and example of subject search are appended. (EJS)

Lists: (1) educational uses of microcomputers; (2) goals of a microcomputer selection committee; and (3) goals to be achieved by students owning microcomputers. Discusses progress made by the selection committee, faculty development in computer literacy, current preparations being made for the arrival of the microcomputers, and computer uses in…

Describes steps taken by Lake Washington School District in Kirkland (Washington) in acquiring microcomputers, including (1) doing preliminary research, (2) forming a steering committee, (3) attending a conference on educational data systems, (4) defining 10 objectives for a computer awareness program, and (5) launching the program in three pilot…

The Project is a Native teacher education program which provides the first three years of the Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Alberta. Five areas (information, counseling services, support services, access, and financial aid) considered by the Project in regard to access for disadvantaged adults to learning resources are…

Federal policy has been unsuccessful in achieving some of its goals for several reasons, including viewing implementation as an act rather than as a process and assuming that organizations have uniform capacity and willingness to implement policy. A strategy of differential treatment that matches implementing organizations' characteristics is…

Describes a short-term, structured, group counseling approach, group assertive training, which can be employed by school counselors as a remedial intervention with aggresive adolescents. Presents the conceptual framework for the program and details of program implementation including group selection, public relations, and evaluation. (PAS)

Presents a systematic and disciplined approach to planning for the development and implementation of an information system which will collect, store, maintain, and report human resources data. Discusses guidelines, priorities, training requirements, security, auditing, interface with payroll, and personnel reporting. (CT)

Traces the development and implementation of environmental education in Australia during the 1970s, focusing on the role of the Curriculum Development Center, the Australian Environmental Education Program proposal, a 1974 national survey, the Environmental Education Project, and future implications. (DC)

A model of inservice training for teachers of mainstreamed students focuses on the development of a multidisciplinary staff support team which provides consultation to the staff members of a school. The establishment of building-based teams, types of assistance, administrative support, and accessibility of service are detailed. (JN)

Bilingual education programs in Nigeria, the Sudan, and the Phillippines are described. Although some approaches differed, educational planners in all three countries felt that they could best introduce children to formal education by using the language which they bring to the classroom for initial instruction. (FG)

Describes the system used by Prince George's Community College to develop a set of criteria for an effective approach to student retention and an action agenda for the development of retention strategies. Provides six criteria (e.g., retention should be student- rather than institution-centered) and outlines the six phases of the action agenda.…

Gathering information is futile without implementation of programs based on the findings. Data from a single needs assessment study can provide useful information to decision makers at several levels. Studies of a general population of adults provide data for state, regional, and local continuing education practitioners. (CT)

The conflicts and crises arising from a federally funded educational program initiated in a rural school district are discussed. (JD)