The federal government and private foundations for education have established postsecondary credential completion as a national imperative. Washington State's Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (I-BEST) model was developed to increase the rate at which basic skills students advance to and succeed in college-level occupational programs,…

This paper describes the implementation of an inpatient treatment program for Vietnam combat veterans exhibiting symptoms related to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, at the North Chicago Veterans Administration Medical Center. Issues related to organizational and staff problems encountered during the program are outlined, and unique problems…

The goal of college preparation programs is to help students, particularly underrepresented students of color, to enroll and succeed in college. While many programs focus on strengthening students' math and reading skills, familiarizing them with college entrance exams, and demystifying the college admissions process, there are few guidelines for…

A study was conducted to investigate, using a portion of Smith's Sequential Specificity Model, the relationship between social background, personality, and attitudinal factors and the participation of adult volunteers in the 4-H program in Ohio. Data were collected from a sample of 300 adult 4-H volunteers in Ohio through a mailed questionnaire; a…

Educators are encouraged to build advocacy for gifted education through the program itself by demonstrating the high quality products of participating students, and through continued commitment to public relations. Factors common to programs that have survived the economic downturn in New England are identified, including sustained advocacy…

The author cites reasons for having academic teachers on advisory committees: strengthens the link between academic and vocational courses and links the hands-on aspect of vocational education to academic skills. The author suggests ways to help select academic teachers for vocational advisory committees and to involve these teachers in vocational…

Presents some of the ideas and actions the sociology department at the University of Lowell (Massachusetts) has adopted in an effort to make sociology attractive to students. Discusses the dissemination of information about the positive aspects of the discipline, the quality of teaching and guidance, and the development of a substantive…

Presents lists of questions that parents, teachers, and administrators can use to assess their own readiness for a parent involvement program. Outlines a process for successful program development. (SJL)

Discusses open entrance/open exit programs designed to prevent attirtion in adult reading programs for students who have not completed high school. Offers suggestions for encouraging success within such programs. (FL)

This interview with the executive director of the National Association for Gifted Children documents responses to questions about gifted program advocacy, including opposition to differentiated education for gifted students, effective lobbying techniques, and relationships with legislators and the business community. (DB)

A study was conducted to compare 4-H agent, volunteer leader, and teenage member perceptions concerning the importance of selected leadership activities for teenage 4-H members, and the extent to which teenagers should be involved in carrying out these leadership activities. Data were gathered from a sample of 200 teenage 4-H members, 200…

The National Preventive Dentistry Demonstration Program was conducted to assess the costs and benefits of combinations of school-based preventive dental care procedures. The program involved almost 30,000 elementary school children from 10 sites across the country. Classroom procedures, such as weekly fluoride mouthrinse, were administered or…

Educators of the gifted are urged to use effective media strategies to promote gifted programs, including cultivating contacts with media personnel; targeting newsworthy content; selecting an appealing format for content; enhancing program image through use of the Driver Rider Matrix; writing effective news releases and features; making radio and…

New voluntary agencies have grown out of the social changes of the 1960s. These grass-roots organizations, such as coffee houses, legal aid societies, and community counseling centers, differ in program style and attitude from traditional social agencies and may be more effective with alienated and cynical young people. (SJL)

Outlines components of fear in outdoor adventure activities. Reports ratings by 311 Outward Bound students of 23 common fears in the outdoors. Discusses techniques of fear reduction therapy: systematic desensitization, flooding, modeling of coping methods by instructors, and rehearsal of adaptive behaviors. Contains 16 references. (SV)