Reviews the Sullivan versus Zebley decision concerning eligibility for Supplemental Security Income benefits based on childhood disability and the Social Security Administration's response to the decision. Presents new regulations for determining childhood disability and discusses implications for child advocates, service providers, and social…

This article describes the Social Security Administration's PASS (Plan for Achieving Self Support) program which is intended to assist persons with disabilities to achieve economic independence. The program allows Supplemental Security Income recipients to set aside funds to pay expenses required to reach a specific employment goal. (DB)

According to the 26th annual Phi Delta Kappan/Gallup Poll, the growth of fighting/violence/gangs and poor discipline are the most serious problems facing today's schools. Parents rate their community schools highly but assign only passing grades to the nation's schools. Most favor character education and President Clinton's education initiatives…

This paper describes fraud and health risks to consumers from the unregulated weight control industry, reviews safe weight loss guidelines, notes the role of health educators, and argues for increased regulatory control measures. (SM)

Discusses the U.S. Department of Education's special projects competition for personnel preparation for those working with students who have attention deficit disorders. Profiles the 10 articles that follow on the preparation of teachers and related service providers to work with children and youth who have this disability. (CR)

Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act offers no financial assistance to school systems serving disabled children. This article reviews Section 504's main provisions and examines questions arising when school districts confront the financial issues inherent in this law and discusses how added compliance costs can affect operations. (13…

Explains 10 basic steps for librarians who are interested in applying for E-Rates, the Universal Service Fund financed by the telecommunications industry as part of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Provides discounts on technology services including telecommunications services, Internet access, and internal connections for all public and some…

Qualitative and quantitative data suggest that over the 10 years of Australia's National Training Reform Agenda initiatives, women in female-dominated occupations in nonprofessional, nonmanagerial jobs have fared less well than other workers. The goal of training for transferable skills has not been achieved for these women. (SK)

Discusses proposed legislation designed to improve the United States' education infrastructure. Outlines President Clinton's $5 billion school-construction initiative and describes areas in which the money can be used. Features interviews with Education Secretary, Richard Riley, and Senator Carol Moseley-Braun (D-Ill.), in which they discuss the…

A telephone survey was conducted among rural adolescents (N=414) to determine what demographic and theoretical factors from control, strain (or opportunity), and social learning theories predict occurrence of sexual intercourse and sexual partners. Sample characteristics, frequency distribution (dependent variables), and statistical…

Examines the issue of whether or not federal government-generated databases reside in the public domain. Discusses a 1973 Supreme Court decision (Williams & Wilkins v. The United States), the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, and terms and conditions listed on various government databases. (MES)

After five years, the AmeriCorps program, a federal program designed to encourage youth to perform public service by providing substantial scholarships after completion, has been both praised as effective in getting things done and criticized as cost-ineffective. Some feel the money could have been better spent for federal grants or work-study…

The U.S. Department of Education is sponsoring the first national special-education expenditure study in nearly 15 years. A nationally representative sample including all states and 250 school districts will provide comprehensive and comparable data. Nine states will provide additional representative data to get a handle on their expenses. (MLH)

Explores how the Army's distance education program is attracting strong interest from soldiers at the same time that it is causing clashes between the military and academic cultures. (EV)

When President George W. Bush signed the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) into law in January 2002, it was generally described as the most sweeping national education reform that had been enacted in decades. Amending the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965, the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 made significant changes in the major…