Consent engineering is a consultative approach used by public policy-makers to secure the legitimacy of proposed policy changes by involving representative interest groups in decision making. Using the example of five reorganizing secondary schools in Victoria, Australia, this article outlines the circumstances obviating consent engineering at the…

Parents of children with disabilities (n=80) or giftedness (n=19) commented on their children's participation in an open enrollment program. Twelve broad topics were identified by the Minnesota parents, including teacher/administration attitude, transportation/location, programs for special needs students, student's attitude and behavior change,…

An approach to outsourcing following college or university reorganization, termed re-sourcing, involves developing an unlimited partnership with an external service provider that creates value for the enterprise. A re-sourcing relationship evolves from a search for a partner who understands the institution's unique mission and is committed to…

This study compared results of supported living services for 20 adults with mental retardation and 20 adults receiving traditional residential support. Results indicated that supported living participants experienced significantly more and varied community activity, did both community activities and preferred community activities more frequently,…

An analysis of transcripts from focus groups of service providers and parents of children diagnosed with autism found convergence in the areas of collaboration, family support, financial issues, equity, early identification, advocacy, training, and inclusion. Divergent themes included access, home programming, the law, best practice, and…

Explores "alternative delivery systems" in inner-city education, the variety of programs and schools available to children being educated in the urban centers. Traces the origins of the problems of urban schools, describes the articles of this special issue, and identifies themes that emerge in attempts to solve urban school problems. Contains 18…

Examines how parents become involved in state-funded prekindergarten programs for children identified as at risk for later school failure. Participants included 21 teachers at two programs in a midwestern school district. Significant differences exist between home-visitation and family-center models of program delivery in the types of activities…

Introduces a special issue on the advantages of conducting "Level 1 research," a method of service-delivery accountability which involves systematically monitoring clinical outcomes without attempting to scientifically prove what is causing those effects. This type of research is compared with both Level 3 research (scientific research) and Level…

A survey of 25 families of children (ages 3-9) with autism and pervasive developmental disabilities found that families interacted with a host of different agencies and professionals to receive services. Many families reported difficulty accessing needed services and minimal involvement in planning or implementing these interventions. (CR)

A self-evaluation of one small but innovative agency providing supported living and other community supports to individuals with developmental disabilities is presented. Key elements that appear to perpetuate a culture of commitment among direct support and supervisory staff are described, including naturalness, individualization, introspection,…

This paper analyzes the case file of an adult male labeled as having mental retardation. The focus is on exploring the power dynamics that underpin services. Using Foucault's treatise on discipline as an analytic tool, the paper examines the mechanisms through which a defective identity is constructed, thereby legitimizing social control.…

A survey of 62 Idaho teachers of gifted students focused on the teachers' daily practices in organizing the curriculum experiences of their students. Teachers reported they used a variety of curriculum/teaching models and program options. More teachers used Creative Problem Solving than any other single program. Service delivery was most often a…

Discusses the methodology and content of the evaluation of the Homeless Families Program. Focuses on data collection and the determination of program outcomes. Stresses the importance of stakeholder involvement and the flexibility of the evaluators as the evaluation unfolded. (SLD)

This article urges fundamental educational change for children with hearing impairments. It offers a new paradigm based on legal recognition of the primacy of communication in any educational delivery system. Components of such communication-based delivery systems are identified and applied in a hypothetical case. Advantages and cost benefits of…

This article describes transdisciplinary consultation, a classroom-based team model in which team members focus on implementing a transdisciplinary model of service delivery. An evaluation of the model by nine preschool professionals indicated the teams perceived the model to have a positive impact on their personal and team development. (Contains…