To help government agency representatives and community leaders understand local population trends, particularly in rapid growth situations, this publication outlines a simple framework for analyzing population changes and provides useful criteria that can be applied when considering management and policy alternatives. It is noted that two…

This policy paper lays the groundwork for policy recommendations by providing information about the level of adult literacy needs and services in Washington State. Analysis of two reports shows a gap between the population in need of literacy services and the current level of services in Washington. In this context, considerations and options for…

This report documents the failure of the educational and mental health systems to meet the needs of children with severe emotional disturbances and provides a guide for advocates at both the state and local levels. Part 1 identifies priorities obtained through a national survey and reports major thrusts, including a wider array of services,…

This review of eligibility criteria for students with special needs was the result of a 2-month analysis of the Massachusetts special education law and the current state of education within Massachusetts. The review was intended to examine the original intent of the special education statute, possible reasons for the high number of special…

Presented is the report of a Virginia study committee analyzing various policy options on the provision of services to students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The study found that approximately 49,000 Virginia students have an attention deficit disorder, with 24,500 in need of special education services and an additional…

This discussion paper examines the current state of practice of adult literacy education in Washington State as well as initiatives to improve program effectiveness in a number of areas, including staff quality and curriculum. The paper discusses staff and curriculum development being undertaken by the ABLE (Adult Basic and Literacy Educator's)…

This guide is intended to provide guidelines, from a British perspective, for group discussion of issues relevant to developing a school policy to meet the needs of students who are very able. The guide utilizes short case studies and a series of mindmaps to illustrate issues and highlight key planning and decision-making points. The guide begins…

Designed to aid American Indian communities in the development of Indian contract schools, this publication includes a definitive narrative describing all aspects of contract school development, lists of organizations and materials which are of use in contract school development, an extensive table of contents which directs the reader to specific…

This discussion paper provides background information describing the service base of adult literacy education programs in Washington State and highlights local initiatives to coordinate services. Based on "The Washington State Literacy Resource Directory," the report identifies 102 local service providers of literacy services to adults.…

A study examined curriculum policies and practices within technical and further education (TAFE) in Australia. To isolate and explain differences in patterns of curriculum development (CD) within the TAFE sector, researchers administered a set of three-tiered questionnaire information-gathering sheets to curriculum developers and project managers…

In Canada and elsewhere, the shift from more horizontal models of governance and toward a more organized, diverse, and empowered civil society has sparked renewed interest in citizen involvement. The various dimensions of citizen involvement in policy processes are as follows: (1) mobilizing interest; (2) claims making; (3) knowledge acquisition;…

Teaching is a very difficult field to master, and the challenges faced by beginning career and technical education (CTE) teachers are especially great. Teacher induction, which usually takes 5-6 years, is the total of all the teacher's experiences from the moment the first teaching contract is signed until the teacher is comfortably established as…

Policy options for increasing the earnings of the young welfare recipients were explored by analyzing the incomes of nearly 12,000 young women in Baltimore, Maryland, whose 19th birthday fell between April 1, 1985, and March 31, 1989, and who had at least one spell of welfare dependency between their 19th and 29th birthdays. An analysis of the…

This document explores whether state certification of adult educators can contribute to a more professional work force. The document begins by listing perceived advantages and disadvantages of certification and defining certification. The following reasons for supporting certification are presented: assuring professional competence; promoting…

High school noncompletion rates remain persistently high. Youth Tuitionships are a mechanism for supporting learners who are not suited financially, emotionally, or pedagogically for the traditional high school learning environment of grades 11 and 12. They provide a mechanism whereby various forms of federal, state, and local aid can be…