Special education directors (n=71) in Indiana and Massachusetts were surveyed concerning critical factors in their personal and organizational success. Highest ranking factors were demonstration of instructional effectiveness and regular/special education integration. Intergroup differences in some rankings were attributed to urban versus rural…

A study compared advanced-standing and regular social work master's graduates in employment history, evaluations of their graduate education, and perceptions of the relevance of their education for post-graduation jobs. Differences occurred only in the congruence of specialization and second job choice in the two groups. (MSE)

Describes the most pressing issues in early childhood education during the past two decades; indicates whether each issue has been settled; and outlines new issues for the present. (Author/BB)

With student outcomes assessment, institutions can refocus priorities so that educational quality is based on what and how much students learn. Value-added/talent development and outcomes measures, and models of student outcomes assessment (program improvement, gatekeeping functions, and budget decisions and accountability) are discussed. (MLW)

Describes Being in Charge, a guidance unit designed to provide intermediate and middle-grade children with the skills to cope more effectively with taking care of themselves while home alone. Discusses format of the sessions, objective and content for each of the six sessions, and evaluates the program as implemented with fifth and sixth graders…

Professional personnel and building maintenance were studied by the Halifax School District Board (Nova Scotia) to examine economy and efficiency and to determine quality education, using the value-for-money concept. This process can be utilized by any board to assist in identifying areas needing analysis, but program effectiveness should also be…

Presents a study of cost analysis of the Frederick County Public Schools (Maryland) special education programs and services. The Larson IPSEC Model was used as the basis for the cost analysis. The modified Larson model provides a valuable tool to determine the per pupil cost of special education. (Author/MD)

Seventh graders (N=161) participated in health education classes consisting of either an innovative smoking education program, the program plus assertiveness training, or a traditional smoking education program. Data collected four years later revealed no significant differences in smoking behavior, changes in assertion, or sex differences among…

A meta analysis of preschool intervention programs is performed to arrive at an overall effect size of such programs. Results indicate that despite the diversities in intervention sites, ages of subjects, lengths of intervention, and curricula models, there is a positive homogeneous effect on the variables. (Author/LMO)

The testing of a dual admission system in a South African university, aimed at removal of racial, social, or religious discrimination in college admission policy, found that the system is capable of identifying talented but disadvantaged students. (MSE)

Eighty-six teachers' perspectives on mandatory/other mandatory, voluntary, and non-formal inservice education were studied. Findings indicated that formal inservice education that did not accompany mandatory program changes were not effective in changing classroom behavior of teachers. The study resulted in recommendations for school…

Describes the activities in a first grade classroom in a small rural school district where reading instruction mirrors the kinds of reading done in the real world. (FL)

Four female mildly mentally retarded subjects (ages 17-21) were trained individually in a simulated bank setting at their school. After training, subjects were able to generalize newly trained skills to real community settings though some additional in-vivo training was required for perfect performance. (Author/DB)

Reports a study in which the effects of the changeover of a French course in a London comprehensive lower school from a structural to a unit-credit course were observed and evaluated. A pre-test post-test model composed of 10 measures was used to measure the effects of the change. (SED)

The effectiveness of multidisciplinary patient conferences was examined. The question of multidisciplinary conference productivity was addressed by examining the impact of these conferences on a team's formulation of patient therapy plans, problem lists, hospitalization goals, and discharge date. (Author/MLW)