A summary is provided of a large-scale needs assessment research project in Colorado that tested the validity of several statistical procedures or models for indirectly estimating the need for alcohol, drug abuse, and mental health services across geographic subregions using a Colorado Social Health Survey sample of 4,745 adults. (SLD)

Interviews with the coordinators of 37 gifted education programs (20 rural and 17 urban) indicated that rural school districts are less likely to use ability grouping or academic acceleration and are more likely to use sporadic extracurricular activities. An earlier survey of 171 teachers also found fewer program options in rural areas. (DB)

This article reviews present services in gifted education in western Europe (e.g., Britain, Germany, the Netherlands) and eastern Europe. Noted are individual accommodations such as individual acceleration and privately funded national competitions. Stressed is the importance of international communication in gifted education and specific…

A national survey of 134 instructional programs for hearing-impaired preschoolers gathered information about program size, age of referral, school-based versus home-based programs, communication methods, assessment, parent training, and programing strategies. The study found that problems continue in the ability of programs to provide quality…

This article describes approaches used in a Purdue University (Indiana) nontraditional doctoral pharmacy program to meet the needs of students wishing minimal disruption of job and family. Focus is on program standards and cost issues such as the special tuition rate. Evaluation after the first semester indicates the program is achieving full cost…

This review examines the variety of approaches taken to meeting the needs of young children (and their families) with disabilities in the South Pacific. The importance of diverse cultural patterns and problems of isolated communities are noted, as is the need to extend services until the entire population is served and ensure sustained services.…

Sixty-three New Zealand schools were surveyed concerning establishment of Support Teacher positions to assist children with special needs. Results are discussed in terms of drift from the support team model, differences between primary and secondary schools in model implementation, the importance of training, and the importance of an active…

This paper examines the development of service policy for people with intellectual disabilities in Australia, noting the minor role of research and empirical enquiry. Research's significant role in monitoring policy during the implementation phase is, however, acknowledged. A coordinated research program contributing to both policy development and…

The speech notes the linear growth of resources versus the exponential growth of costs in higher education. It identifies opportunities arising from information technology to transform teaching and learning through creation of a new scholarly information delivery system. An integrated triad of communications, computing, and library organizations…

Outlines the impact of current divisions in the information infrastructure of the information environment on the ability of knowledge workers to integrate information across media and sources of information. Discussion covers information "seams," inaccessible information, information overload/impoverishment, and bottlenecks. The…

This article proposes the professional integration of early childhood special education and early childhood education. Commonalities in the areas of policy, professional practice, and the importance of flexible child-centered and family-centered services are noted. Unification would improve service delivery, increase integration, and result in…

The domestic health profile, family and community role, and federal efforts to help at-risk children are discussed. Federal efforts center on maternal and child health programs that strengthen the family, but other initiatives are necessary to give each child the security and stability needed for healthy development. (SLD)

Three models have been developed to provide a framework for describing range of delivery technologies available that are consistent with missions of training organizations. Performance support model presents a strategy for applying solutions to performance problems; knowledge transfer model depicts combinations of communication media; and…

Dissonance and conflict occur when the culture of a service delivery system differs greatly from a disabled client's culture. Strategies are outlined for adapting services to match culturally diverse client needs. Examples focus on rehabilitation services and special education for visually impaired Hispanic Americans. Contains 20 references. (SV)

Analyzes the concept and purposes of school delivery standards. Argues against using school delivery standards for accountability, but supports school process standards to create a vision of what education can be. School performance standards that lead to school input and process indicators would provide useful insights. (SLD)