Two perspectives on assessment for teacher certification are described: the competency orientation, and the professional orientation. These perspectives are used to discuss current problems, basically validity issues, in teacher assessment: (1) a professional orientation toward assessment; (2) criterion-referenced assessments; and (3) the unit of…

Discusses the evolution of state-level assessment activities of college graduates' skills/outcomes to provide a context for a proposed national system and examines extent and types of testing in six states. Addresses the purposes of postsecondary assessment and draws conclusions as to institutional support needed to sustain a collaborative system.…

This article describes data requirements in Public Law 99-457; discusses issues confronting states as they develop data systems, such as the problems of comprehensiveness, incompatibility, and confidentiality; examines data on numbers of infants and toddlers receiving early intervention services; and explores applications of a national database on…

Describes PALL (Pennsylvania Learning Link), an interactive computer system that offers research resources, electronic mail, discussion centers, distance learning information, access to Internet mail, and specific curriculum resources geared toward classroom needs. Regional services, statewide services, and classroom services are described,…

Examines the work of women's voluntary associations in support of public libraries in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Activities studied include support of traveling libraries, library legislation, and the founding of local libraries. Cooperation of organized women's groups with the American Library Association and other organizations is…

This paper reports a survey of 1,283 Michigan families of children with severe mental impairment, multiple impairments, or autism, concerning the state's cash subsidy program. Families reported that the subsidy amount was adequate. The greatest need was for sitters and respite care, followed by life planning, speech and physical therapy, and…

Whether the state's vast investment in criminal justice has done any good or made communities in California any safer is studied by reviewing California crime and victimization data, imprisonment rates, and criminal justice expenditures over two decades. Results suggest there has been little impact of the immense investment in crime control. (SLD)

The University of Tennessee's coordinated Faculty Interests/Funding Opportunities database system comprises statewide computer networking facilities, information from many sources, results of annual surveys, over 50 relational database files and software, and software applications. The system allows matching of information on funding opportunities…

An outcomes-based model was developed to evaluate vocational education programs in Illinois. The model, which evaluates programs based on six vital signs of program quality, uses a series of computer technology expert systems to give local personnel assistance in exploring program problems and improvement. (SLD)

Describes developmental and behavioral characteristics of homeless young children and their parents. Reports on how states and communities are attempting to meet the early education and care of young children in homeless families. Discusses the needs or problems that early education and care programs that include homeless children should address.…

Describes an inservice program developed in Virginia to enhance the knowledge of college faculty regarding the needs of students with disabilities. Discusses the characteristics of students with disabilities, legislative mandates to serve them, and ways of accommodating students with disabilities in the classroom. (MAB)

The Washington Governor's School for Citizen Leadership gathers a diverse group of high school students and presents a curriculum focusing on experiential, integrated learning. The school emphasizes expressive arts, interpersonal and team skills, and critical thinking; and seeks to ignite students' social responsibility and empower them to take…

Discusses using social-work educational methods to organize the New York Rural Human Services Coalition, when public policy is increasingly urban oriented. Describes historical framework and state institutional structure of services. Describes organization to secure rural perspectives in human-services delivery. Describes community organization…

To inform faculty and staff about the new state retirement plan and help them compare its benefits with those of the only existing employer-sponsored retirement plan for educators, a defined-benefit plan, Georgia Institute of Technology used an electronic spreadsheet and a series of seminars for analyzing and illustrating investment options. (MSE)

A study of Chapter 1 elementary schools in a Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) school improvement project finds that four of five schools in which students' academic achievements were higher than expected had female principals. All four spent most of their time actively engaged with students and teachers over teaching and learning processes. (SLD)