The FNS Research Corner provides a continuing series to summarize recently completed and current research conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) in the area of child nutrition. Summaries of recently completed research projects, research conducted through grant activities, and in-progress research are…

Outdated, unknown, or unneeded amounts of dangerous or inappropriate chemicals are often found in K-12 schools across the nation, potentially putting students and staff at risk. Because of the nature of some of the chemicals, even small amounts may present a risk. Thus, dangerous chemicals represent one of the critical environmental health and…

This case study describes the evolution of a center of pedagogy in El Paso, Texas, to prepare teachers in and for exemplary schools, sustain dialogue among partners, pursue the center's agenda, and critique and revise the undertaking. The paper provides a historical context, examining the role of state public policy and outside grant funding and…

Presents an overview of the drafting of regulations for the development and implementation of programs authorized by federal education laws in connection with the Education Amendments of 1978. States that all regulations have been recodified, that is, simplified and clarified. Lists office of education contacts for comments on regulations…

Discusses the effects of poverty on children and current public policy toward child poverty, including areas of unmet need and recommendations for policies to meet the needs of poor children. The overall focus is on the potential to develop effective policies for children in poverty. (SLD)

Recommendations are provided for the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as it pertains to individuals with physical disabilities. Recommendations address the following areas: professional development of teachers, physical disabilities as a focus category in the support programs, and incentives for model…

This policy guide draft pulls together information on the types of public school choice plans being implemented or debated across the nation. The guide describes six different kinds of plans that involve a choice among public schools: interdistrict, postsecondary options, second-chance, controlled-choice, teacher-initiated schools, and magnet…

The Secretary of Education encourages special education teachers to become leaders of education reform, by developing community-level programs to achieve the six National Education Goals. Examples of America 2000 community projects are cited, and the role of special educators in past educational innovations is emphasized. (JDD)

Private foundations are attempting to move away from educational reform approaches based on model development. The limits of the "Johnny Appleseed" (sowing seed and moving on) mode of grantmaking are coming clear. Persistence--a willingness to commit resources to an issue or institution for 5 to 10 years--will need to be an operating…

This digest reviews a variety of the policies, programs, and practices to prevent youth violence so that local leaders can base decisions on the experience of other communities. The effectiveness of school violence prevention initiatives is increased by public policies that reinforce their message and by community programs that attempt to prevent…

Considerations in conducting attitude surveys concerning bilingual education are discussed. An introductory section examines briefly the history of the controversy over bilingual education, legislative initiatives, and some previous opinion research. Specific kinds of information needs relating to public opinion are then noted and problems arising…

Human survival means more than purely physical survival. Human beings, because of language, also have a cultural nature that must survive. In today's world, all speak, but more than one-fourth of the world's people--and more than half in developing nations--do not have the uniquely human capacity of reading and writing. The diffusion of literacy…

The public health approach to the drug problem is an alternative for dealing with illegal, mood altering, recreational drug use. The proposed approach involves creating a single national drug policy based in epidemiological, pharmacological, and medical science. The proposed goals emphasize harm reduction and safe use. Program components are…

This paper describes two Department of Education reports on gifted education--1972's Marland Report and 1993's "National Excellence: A Case for Developing America's Talent." It relates report findings to findings from a survey of states' policies. The paper calls for states to design programs that nurture talent potential of all students…

Many individuals with disabilities in American Indian communities have not benefited from legislated services and resources. These individuals are also hampered by inaccessibility to services and by jurisdictional debates of government agencies. Efforts to develop culturally relevant programs promoting education, rehabilitation, and independent…