A research project was conducted to identify a framework that would provide the most effective and efficient ways of delivering inservice training and professional development services in Colorado. The project consisted of a survey of part- and full-time vocational education teachers and administrators of secondary, postsecondary, and vocational…

Annual use of fuel oil for heating schools and other facilities of the Montgomery County (Maryland) Public Schools, Montgomery County Government, and Montgomery College exceeds four-million gallons. This report examines the processes by which purchases and distributions of fuel oil are made, makes recommendations based on the examination, and…

The executive summary of the ninth annual report to Congress examines progress made in implementing the requirements mandated by P.L. 94-142, the Education of the Handicapped Act, as amended by P.L. 98-199 with a specific focus on activities during the school year 1985-86. Data are presented regarding the four major purposes of the Act: (1) to…

A study assessed the effectiveness of the delivery and content of the Human Relations course and the technical updating activities for postsecondary, full-time preparatory program instructors in Iowa. Faculty members from 15 community and technical colleges were asked to identify how necessary they feel each competency is to the teaching process,…

Distance education is a current "catch-all" phrase for any form of instruction in which the learner is linked to an educational institution and is formally enrolled, but instruction does not necessarily have to be delivered to or from an official school site. Distance education can provide equity and increase the quality of educational…

Several of the problems typically associated with efforts to extend higher education opportunities to rural communities--including small class size, lack of qualified instructors, and maintenance of quality standards--are successfully addressed by an audio conference network. Students in remote locations can participate in classes offered through…

This report describes the activities of the Resource and Referral Service (RRS), which was established in 1977 as a member of a nationwide dissemination network called the Research and Development Exchange (RDx), in using electronic networks as part of its dissemination effort. Discussed first are the history and objectives of RRS. The next…

From October 1982 through September 1984, the New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) piloted a research and demonstration project to test the outcome of using vouchers to finance the public provision of child care. Because of historical funding patterns which tied day care subsidies to particular…

Principles and characteristics of program quality review are described as one means of evaluating values-based outcomes of day programs for persons with mental retardation. Program quality review may be distinguished from other evaluation systems in its focus on program outcomes--what actually happens to the people in the program--rather than on…

This directory lists projects supported by grants and contracts from the Handicapped Children's Early Education Program (HCEEP) of the U.S. Office of Special Education Programs. An introduction by Thomas Finch describes the HCEEP network and the results of a recent evaluation study. An overview section summarizes, both verbally and statistically,…

This issue of "Focal Point" addresses the delivery of services to children who are ethnic minorities of color and who have severe emotional disabilities. The cover article offers five keys to the provision of professionally competent services with such children: awareness and acceptance of cultural differences, awareness of the professional's own…

Federal legislation and programs affecting personal assistance services for persons with disabilities are examined. Personal assistance services may be provided for activities of daily living, communication, cognitive tasks, or mobility, depending on the needs of the individual. The population in need of attendant services has increased with…

Historically, preservice teacher education programs have not provided their students, in a systematic manner, with knowledge, methods, or practice to produce effective classroom management. A systematic approach to classroom management is recommended that would deal with advance planning and preparation before the school year, and the…

Educational services are now, and will be in the future, delivered via many alternative technologies. In Wisconsin, a variety of video-based alternative delivery systems are being used, such as broadcast television, instructional television fixed service, cable television, interactive computer video, and satellite earth stations. The primary need…

Health care and social services in Poland are affected by the culture context of geography, demography, and culturally induced expansion in historical periods. Health and financing of health services are issues with significant political ramifications and, despite egalitarian ideology, there is differential access to care and services. The…