The interaction between state educational reform and curricular services for special needs students, mainly the economically disadvantaged, is discussed in the context of state and federal compensatory education services. Data from eight schools in California suggest that such services can succeed and that excellence and equity can be compatible.…

Introduces several papers that provide information about the U.S. Department of Education Comprehensive School Health Education Program (CSHEP). After describing the CSHEP and summarizing the three papers, the article presents emerging themes for the future (student needs-driven, outcomes-based, coordinated, comprehensive, and school- and…

Discusses features of the National Literacy Act that are of interest to librarians. Highlights include a new definition of literacy; cooperation between providers and government agencies; new programs, including state resource centers, national workforce strategies, services for prisoners, and family programs; amendments to existing legislation;…

This article summarizes efforts to improve educational outcomes of students with hearing impairments through the government-funded Deaf Education Initiatives Project. It discusses the project's origins, cooperative efforts of diverse interest groups, the role of the National Association of State Directors of Special Education as subcontractor, the…

Suggests that children, as the nation's most precious social resource, are the shared responsibility of parents and government. Argues that current efforts to scale back social welfare programs in Canada need to be reversed, so as to provide children, and families with children, a decent minimum standard of living. (MDM)

Colleges and universities are finding innovative ways to cut electrical costs while maintaining the needed light and power to fulfill their educational missions. Farsighted planning of energy use is increasing, due in part to government and corporate leadership and support and to the changing vision of college administrators. (Author/MSE)

Examines the implications of Goals 2000, opportunity-to-learn standards, assessment accommodations, and accountability for identifying and promoting educational outcomes for students with disabilities. Discusses outcome-based education and outcome-based assessment and presents some consequences of the most current reform efforts for special and…

This article describes the development of a multifaceted evaluation strategy to assess the effects of guaranteed subsidized child care on the subsequent attainment of welfare independence and aggregate welfare expenditures for Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC). Advantages of a multimethod approach are discussed. (SLD)

Options are presented for accountability in Chapter 1 schools and identification of low-performing schools. Two options are suggested that could move Chapter 1 toward more local control or toward more national control. In either case, the shortcomings of using normal curve equivalent gains on standardized tests should be recognized. (SLD)

Sixteen articles describe the status of program evaluation in the federal government by showing how evaluation is organized in the government. A review of evaluation in the legislative and executive branches is followed by a review of the major organizations producing evaluation work. (SLD)

National Institutes of Health programs supporting minority college students in biomedical research, the "Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC)" program and the "Minority Biomedical Research Support (MBRS)" program, offer an effective model of mentoring that can be replicated across disciplines. Changes in the way…

Use of the bootstrap resampling technique (BRT) is assessed in its application to resampling analysis associated with measurement of payment allocation errors by federally funded Family Assistance Programs. The BRT is applied to a food stamp quality control database in Oregon. This analysis highlights the outlier-sensitivity of the…

As part of the Chapter 1 program, the U.S. Department of Education conducts research activities and uses nominations from a variety of sources to identify promising practices and document their success. The department disseminates this information through its award process in the Chapter 1 School Recognition Program. (SLD)

Compares the following four ways of providing additional funds for low-income students: (1) separate programs; (2) districtwide discretionary funding; (3) building-wide funding; and (4) vouchers for low-income families. Disadvantages of each are discussed, and large scale trial of buildingwide funding is recommended. (SLD)

The San Francisco State University (California) experience with a federally funded community-outreach program suggests universities are well-suited for certain partnership roles (convener, planner, capacity-builder) but not for others. True university-community partnerships must be built on mutual respect, equal status, and give-and-take;…