This report contains highlights of findings and major conclusions of a task force investigating the impact of research, development, and field activities of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE). The various data gathering activities and their results are summarized in Section A. Data collection efforts involved questionnaires sent…

Two major issues in inservice teacher education are: (1) Who is responsible for teaching these professional education courses?; and (2) Are these courses worthy of graduate credit? College faculty members generally agree that institutions of higher learning are obligated to assist practitioners, but universities have been reluctant to offer…

The document contains the second annual report of findings from a longitudinal study of 17 local education agencies (LEAs) on the implementation of P.L. 94-142 (the Education for All Handicapped Children Act). An introductory section describes the content of the report and design of the study. Chapter II considers the observed changes in the…

The author examines the status and recent changes in the education of gifted and talented students in Australia and the United States. Seven issues are addressed (sample subtopics in parentheses): ambivalent attitudes toward egalitarianism and excellence (equality of opportunity vs. equality of outcome); definitions and assessment of…

This paper discusses the nature of teacher induction programs and of research on this topic in European, North American, and Australian countries. Research studies and induction program content and processes in the various countries are explored and compared. Among assertions and conclusions made from this study, which is meant to stimulate…

Part 10 of a series of 13 instructor's manuals for the competency based training of curriculum consultants for exceptional children focuses on the development of support systems. Three competencies are considered: (1) that a curriculum consultant should be capable of developing a comprehensive and systematic inservice training program, (2) that a…

Ways in which health professionals may improve the quality of life for older adults are considered. Needs must be met in the following areas: (1) safe housing; (2) convenient transportation; (3) protection against street crime; (4) improved communication systems; (5) educational programs; (6) nutrition for the elderly; and (7) physical fitness and…

The Rochester Regional Center, or consortium, a cooperative arrangement involving several public and private postsecondary institutions in the Southern Minnesota area, is described. The regional center is designed to provide studies leading to bachelor's and master's degrees through joint services and courses offered by institutions from four…

A case study of a contract college involving Union College and Union County Technical Institute in New Jersey is presented. The arrangement between these two colleges provides the county with the services and facilities of two community colleges, one specializing in technical and career programs and the other in academic courses. Historical…

An Indiana study was conducted to research adequacy of employment and training programs to displaced homemakers, assess characteristics of displaced homemakers, assess effectiveness of past and current programs, and make recommendations. Information on characteristics of displaced homemakers was gained from 280 respondents at six workshops, 146…

As mental health policies and systems become subject to legislative and public scrutiny, more information is needed to evaluate such programs in the United States and abroad. A cross-national survey of 42 countries and provinces compared mental health policies, mental health services, awareness of these services, evaluation, and financing. Notable…

The Oklahoma State Department of Education's plan for staff development is based on the premise that a systematic inservice program is one of the most productive means to improve the professional competencies of school staffs. This plan is intended to help local agencies develop their own programs while meeting federal and state standards,…

This study examined the perceptions of 105 teachers regarding research-on-teaching findings as a resource for instructional improvement. The teachers filled out a 40-item, Likert-scale questionnaire about their perceptions. Teachers value research findings that focus on classroom instruction and think that the findings have practical classroom…

The problems facing teacher centers in geographically remote and largely rural areas are discussed. The importance of cooperative planning involving teachers and university faculty is stressed. It is noted that implementing professional development activities depends to a great extent upon the efficiency of inservice delivery systems, and…

Self-instructional Mediated Learning Modules (MLMs), audiotaped or videotaped units based upon a structured learning approach, may be used by clinics to provide effective, low-cost psychological treatments to large numbers of people. MLMs produced by the Life Skills Training Project focused on interpersonal and self-management skills. Nine…