The paper compares current practices of identifying students with special educational needs in Australia and Scotland. Noted are problems generated by the abandonment of a category-based approach to such children. Australian and Scottish practice are also compared to United States' experience in light of Public Law 94-142. (Author/DB)

The report provides an overview of recent population figures, types of educational programs, and current issues in the education of blind and visually impaired students in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. Trends in early intervention, educational placement, and personnel preparation are noted. (DB)

Five articles discuss options in European distance education, including setting up a satellite network, using a pan-European delivery system, computer conferencing, distance education as an element of policy, and an international networking project. (MSE)

One school district's effort to develop a specialized reading program for students with dyslexia is described. Discussed are: guidelines for diagnosing dyslexics; primary characteristics of 12 youngsters identified as dyslexic; and recommendations for other school districts concerning definitions, screening, referral, and service delivery. (JDD)

Learning at a distance from the source of instruction through textbooks and other media is distance learning. Robert Record wrote mathematics textbooks for the home learner of the sixteenth century. He used dialogue between Master and Scholar to present concepts and correct possible mistakes and misconceptions. (DC)

The paper describes the rationale and implementation of incorporating computers into the service delivery system of a program which employs parents of developmentally delayed children to help other parents of similar children by visiting them in their homes. (Author/DB)

Delineates the differences between prose fiction and media drama. Outlines what is gained and what is lost in translating prose fiction to the radio. The constraints include program formats and the resulting lack of character development. The gains include liveliness and immediacy. Discusses use of flashback and narration. (KO)

This paper compares the results of different models of police intervention in child sexual abuse cases in New South Wales, Australia. Data suggest that specialist police units in which police manage the full investigation provide a more comprehensive service than those where the police response is fragmented among units within the police force.…

Describes the design of an expert system developed using VP-Expert for document delivery decision making in a law library. Presents methods used in knowledge acquisition and knowledge representation after a brief review of the literature on expert system use in libraries. An appendix includes the rules of the expert system. (Author/AEF)

Despite dramatic increases in the number of Indian Health Service alcoholism programs and total expenditures, alcoholism mortality for American Indians and Alaska Natives increased 40%, 1986-90. Data analysis reveals little relationship of mortality rate with allocations, number of service components available, or per capita expenditures. Includes…

This article describes common federal and nongovernmental funding sources that provide early intervention services to families with young children who are disadvantaged or disabled. Three case studies portray how funding streams can be translated into coordinated services for children and families. Specific strategies include better service…

Assessment of the impact of a collaborative inclusion model involving 670 students with disabilities in 26 schools revealed that student growth was similar in the inclusion and "pull-out" models, general and special education teachers felt quality of service had improved with inclusion, and inclusion was associated with lower rates of…

This point/counterpoint feature evaluates braille literacy instruction in three commentaries by A. J. Koenig, J. E. Olmstead, and E. J. Rex. The commentaries indicate that itinerant instruction of braille skills can be effective with adequate student motivation and requisite skills, school staff and family support, vigilant focus on student needs,…

New estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau's Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) suggest that there were about 851,000 children with disabilities, birth to 5, during the 1991-92 school year. Of these, 80% had received developmental services. Most likely to be unserved or underserved were children from low socioeconomic status families…

This article reviews literature regarding service delivery of oral communication skills training to deaf students. To assist school boards to create more cost-effective means of meeting the oral communication needs of deaf students, alternative models of intervention are identified. Seeking an ideal arrangement, principles and characteristics to…