Free tax programs, such as Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), allow recipients of the earned income tax credit (EITC) to have their returns filed for free. VITA and other free tax programs are nationwide. However, each program is distinct, and the services provided by these programs differ. This article discusses a successful and unique…

This newsletter issue asserts that sound, effective relationships in which diverse groups of people and organizations work together toward a common goal are the basis of the collaborative efforts in education that can accomplish change. The first article, "Partners: Forging Strong Relationships" (Sarah E. Torian), briefly describes the…

In rural America, community members are working together to reform education, revitalize communities, and improve the quality of life. This article describes long-term efforts, such as Alabama's PACERS program, Georgia's REAL Enterprises project, and Minnesota's Center for School Change. Smaller-scale efforts in Nebraska, Mississippi, and South…

Discusses the importance of Head Start programs understanding the changing profile of today's family and meeting the subsequent demands for more services. Points out that Head Start agencies around the country have already formed partnerships to deal with diverse issues such as child abuse, incarcerated parents, and preventive mental health.…

The paper describes the Related Vocational Instruction (RVI) and Career Employment Experience (CEE) Programs at a Georgia high school and explains how the programs cooperated to better serve the needs of the educable mentally handicapped students in the school. The goal of the RVI program is to provide secondary handicapped students with job entry…

Describes how the Georgia State Departments of Human Resources and of Education jointly developed programs for pregnant adolescents and school-age parents through pilot projects in local school systems. After staff in-service training, a home economics teacher in each project coordinated the program and also taught parenthood, nutrition,…

The Georgia Coordinated Vocational Academic Education (CVAE) program for underachieving or alienatated youth focuses on combining vocational competencies and adjustment with remedial academic instruction in a classroom atmosphere where disadvantaged students can experience success and become interested in learning. An important program success…

This paper describes efforts to address the shortage of special educators in rural Georgia by supplying regular education teachers with information and resources to teach disabled students. Since 1969, the Georgia Center for Students with Disabilities (GCSD) has provided yearly comprehensive medical and psychoeducational evaluations to…