The Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership involves local community groups and schools in the selection of student award winners, who are then judged in a statewide contest by business and industry representatives. The program provides an organized structure for continuous cooperation and communication between vocational education and the…

The role of state consultants in gifted education is discussed in terms of their contributions to parents, administrators, and teachers. Names and addresses of 58 consultants are listed. (CL)

Describes trends in the minimal competency movement in Florida and several other states and speculates about future trends in minimum-competency testing. (DD)

Decremental planning is synonymous with the management of decline. (Author/IRT)

Kentucky service learning initiatives include (1) inclusion of Learn and Serve America in the state department of education; (2) leadership of the Kentucky Community Education Association; (3) increased state funding for community education; and (4) integration of community education and service learning through collaborative projects. (SK)

A review of Utah service learning programs leads to the following recommendations: (1) listen to community needs; (2) involve youth in planning service activities; and (3) collaborate with other community programs serving youth. (SK)

Uses two sets of survey data from random sample of North Carolina school principals to investigate principals reported behavioral responses to the state's accountability and incentive program. Finds that the state's ABC program is a powerful tool for changing the behavior of school principals in both intended and unintended ways. (Contains 2…

Describes the adoption of Internet-based testing that measures growth following a study of statewide testing procedures in Idaho. Discusses the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001; comparing paper and pencil tests with computerized testing; measurement techniques; how data from tests is used; and timeliness. (LRW)

At Texas A&M University and the University of South Florida recent changes have limited some benefits of tenure. While these changes do not yet reflect a trend, some experts note that universities should deal with troublesome faculty members individually rather than by establishing rules eroding tenure for all. (SLD)

Describes the design and implementation of a mediation program for the resolution of child protection disputes in Nova Scotia. Focuses on the legal mandate for mediation, training programs for mediators, orientation programs for child protective workers, and the actual mediation process. (MDM)

Provides details of South Dakota's comprehensive career and life planning system, including programs, resources, tools, and best practices. Describes the foundation of academic-vocational integration and employability competencies. (SK)

Chronicles the history of prison education in Florida. Identifies issues surrounding correctional education in Florida and the evolution of education in a prison setting. (Author/JOW)

The purpose of this article is to examine how the relationship between comprehensive school reform (CSR) and state accountability systems helps or hinders school improvement efforts. This article draws on case study data collected in schools in 3 states that received funding to implement reforms through the federal CSR program. Findings show that…