Specialization, rather than comprehensiveness, may be the best means for the urban community college to fulfill the needs of students and society. (Editor)

This document presents abstracts describing 25 needs assessment projects appropriate for a variety of educational levels. The abstracts provide an overview of each model as well as information on the developer, source, cost, copyright, procedures for use, implementation needs, and special features. (IRT)

There has been in recent years a growing acceptance of individualized learning concepts. Learning Centers have come to be viewed as an economical and viable strategy for accommodating diverse learning styles and needs. This book provides the educator with an understanding of the learning center concept, its origins, present manifestations, and…

This paper describes an information system for managerial decision making which attempts to satisfy the data requirements of all 12 mental health comprehensive services. The essential characteristics of an on-line computer information system are presented with the emphasis upon the use of the system by directors and managers for program planning,…

Described is the parent involvement model at the Home for Crippled Children in Pittsburgh, a center for multiply handicapped urban preschoolers. It is explained that the model is comprised of three components: Parents as Partners (parent training), Community Liaison (home visitation), and the educational and Home Prescription Plan (individualized…

The document provides information on a model for training preservice teachers to develop individualized education plans (IEPs) for mentally retarded or otherwise handicapped children. Outlined are the modules for assessment, development and implementation of the IEP, and evaluation of remediation or the developmental program. Appended materials…

Described is a continuing education program for mentally retarded adults which is designed to utilize the services of volunteers. The curriculum is noted to include cooking, sewing, recreation, and dance. Considered are four areas for future development curriculum, impact on teacher training, mainstreaming, and new programs. A model for designing…

Glasser presents the ten-step approach to school discipline based on his concept of Reality Therapy, discusses preliminary results of implementation of this approach, and then presents the results of a recent survey. Surveyed were 24 schools--14 elementary, five junior high schools, and five high schools--chosen to give a representative picture of…

Describes a tentative model for comparison of departmental effectiveness within a given institution: a coefficient consisting of weighted student credit hours divided by total support dollars times a factor made up of seventeen parameters weighted according to the priorities of the institution. Samples of computer output are given. (GH)

The article describes a planning model developed by the University of Nebraska for specialized distributive education programs at the postsecondary level that collects data from two sources of information--prospective students and potential employers--to determine the need for such programs as floristry, hardware marketing, advertising, and food…

This description of the systematic approach to dissemination of behaviorally oriented materials developed at Boys Town focuses on the Teaching-Family Model for residential treatment and the development of products to transmit information about the model to a variety of audiences in formats appropriate to the particular groups. Information…

The booklet documents the activities of Special Education Programs (SEP) and the National Diffusion Network (NDN) to build cooperative efforts between the two agencies in disseminating effective models for early intervention with the handicapped. Part I explains the historical network of the subnetwork, details the formal agreements, and presents…

A state sponsored pilot project designed to provide special education services to rural South Dakota has attempted to overcome high teacher turnover due to lack of community resources, inappropriate preservice preparation, and poor relationships with administrators and peers. The model emphasizes retraining rural special educators as special…

An ethnographic evaluation adapts data collection and analytical methods of the ethnographer to the purpose of decision-making. Ethnography and evaluation differ in determination of problems addressed by the researcher. Ethnographers are interested in slow cultural change, while evaluators address policy questions requiring immediate answers. The…

The report describes a model used to evaluate gifted programs. The model is said to rely on three sources of data: (1) structured narrative observation (the Gifted Class Activities Observation Scale); (2) teacher interviews; and (3) pupil interviews. (Sample forms appended.) The application of theory with this procedure resulted in an evaluation…