The article proposes several future challenges for the early childhood special education field in the context of implementing current policy (e.g., Public Law 99-457). The article also describes possible roles and responsibilities of professionals and other advocates in shaping future policy. (Author/DB)

Describes the principles of program evaluation and the technical assistance provided in 1986-87 to North Dakota local educational agencies for evaluating their special education programs. Emphasizes local control of the evaluation activities and includes an example of planning for a local evaluation study on least restrictive environment. (JHZ)

Describes model for delivering aural rehabilitation services to help older hearing impaired persons adjust to a hearing aid and to foster more successful communication. Discusses training of providers by audiologists and explains the four phases of program: education, desensitization, rehabilitation strategies, and responsibility training.…

The development of special education in Brazil is compared with England and the U.S., emphasizing the predominance of educable mentally retarded as a category and the preference for special class provision. The paper discusses various influencing factors, current government policy and service provision, and the future prospects for integration.…

Summarizes the nature of service delivery systems in non-metropolitan communities and identifies four community/delivery system types: small city, small town, rural community, and reservation community. Identifies areas warranting further study, e.g., the reservation community, the informal functioning of helping systems, and the coordination of…

This study surveys directors of organized university programs designed to assist public officials and two groups of practitioners--state government officials and local government managers. The study examines the extent to which these practitioner groups use these university services and their judgment of the quality as compared with services from…

Discusses the nature and scope of postsecondary adult education activities in rural areas. Topics addressed include the problem of defining "rural America," identification of characteristics common to rural areas, and differences between urban learners and rural learners. Attention is also focused on postsecondary educational programs and delivery…

Reviews the major successes and failures of Athabasca University's efforts to extend access to a credible and academically sound university education to adult Canadians, largely through home-study packages. Discusses issues including rural/urban student differences, the role of tutors, adult student needs, student preparedness, and organizational…

Administrative issues in privately and publicly funded programs are contrasted across six areas: funding, philosophy and services, population served, parent involvement, staffing practices, and standards and governance. Key differences center around funding stability and administrative flexibility. A service system featuring a continuum of…

Claims knowledge-based expert computer systems can meet needs of rural schools for affordable expert advice and support and will play an important role in the future of rural education. Describes potential applications in prediction, interpretation, diagnosis, remediation, planning, monitoring, and instruction. (NEC)

Reports a project that used simulated master schedules as an alternative to grade-level, subject-matter, classroom-group organization of instruction in small schools. Describes a multigrade, multicourse learning center approach that decouples the course = class equation and allows small schools to offer a stronger educational program. (SB)

Describes the delivery of counseling center presentations to college students via cable television. Discusses the development of the first tape, which was on career development, and detailed other uses of videotapes. Future plans include use of cable television in health education and financial aid as well as career planning. (JAC)

Argues for the recognition of income maintenance as a specialized form of social service, and calls on the social work profession to assume a major role in its development. Discusses the role and training of the income maintenance worker, and reviews effects of the separation of the two professions. (JAC)

Presents an inventory of social science published reports about the elderly in Mexican, Puerto Rican, and Cuban subnationalities in the United States. Assesses information on service availability and utilization, extended family support, migration, and also research problems. Indicates that Cuban and Puerto Rican elderly have been disregarded by…