Describes U.S. student body's unique diversity and startling demographic changes to come, considers student achievement data from grade school to graduate school, discusses educators' failures in working with certain students, and indicates what must be done to educate all young Americans. Concentrating efforts on at-risk students (lowest 40%) and…

U.S. education faces productivity and efficiency crisis. Because local, state, federal budgets are limited, schools must accomplish more with less. Few U.S. youngsters see themselves as workers or their school performance as greatly affecting later life. Teacher and student expectations are unreasonably low. Because schools cannot provide social…

Although inclusiveness is the U.S. school system's strongest feature, more is seldom better. This article recommends raising standards and expectations, focusing on outcomes, stressing effort over ability and teacher competence over seniority, individualizing instruction, breaking the age/grade link, expanding year-round learning and early…

Describes a study of the interorganizational arrangements involving community colleges that result in exemplary job training and job creation outcomes. Applies a case study approach and a hypothesized model of the linkages between population, industry, and occupational characteristics; and workplace and marketplace conditions to analyze five…

Summarizes results of 1990-91 study of pilot program (SHAPE) using a multiagency approach to provide individualized support services to at-risk middle-school students. Presents detailed case analyses of three selected students representing three target groups. Students having difficulty adjusting to school demands resulting from moderate family…

Examines recurrent problems within the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and provides recommended changes. Problems addressed involve the lack of governmental support for low-income housing and urban aid necessitating primary reliance upon the private sector and HUD organizational problems. The adoption of progressive housing…

This paper examines relationships and interactions among the consumer (with a developmental disability), his or her family, and agency staff as they impact the consumer's life course and lifestyle. Approaches and activities to enhance effective relationships include setting policies that support these relationships, training staff with this…

The West Virginia School Building Authority has arbitrarily emphasized economies of scale as a requirement for statewide facilities funding. This requirement has forced consolidation in sparsely populated areas with resultant "diseconomies of scale" related to transportation costs, increased dropout rates, and decreased parental and…

Describes a collaborative, multidisciplinary developmental follow-up program for infants and toddlers who have been in out-of-home care. The program builds on the community-based family support model described in the Family to Family Foster Care Reform Initiative. Highlights the children's health and developmental status and program effectiveness.…

Describes a freshman composition course that combines service learning and composition theory by having students publish Internet profiles of local social-service agencies. The project concludes a year-long course examining American social issues, drawing on varied texts and genres, and emphasizing social construction, active learning, the…

Chronicles the role of women in the 100-year history of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, including both frustrations and successes. Topics discussed include creation of a forum to address concerns unique to sisters, emergence of Catholic women's colleges and advanced Catholic education for women, and the growth in the roles…

Analysis of focus group discussions involving 13 parents of young children with disabilities and 32 professional service providers examined participants' perceptions of inclusion and early intervention. Discussion focused on awareness of early intervention services, barriers and supports to inclusion, notions of service coordination, experiences…

An evaluation of two school "telecommunities" in Ohio and South Dakota demonstrated the importance of studying a range of technology effectiveness indicators: standardized measures, behavior, stakeholder involvement, technology competency, multicultural exchange, equity, new student and teacher roles, learning climate, teacher…

Research that studied 120 youth organizations in 34 different communities discovered that most disadvantaged participants gained academic life skills lasting into early adulthood. Schools can help by sharing space and facilities, establishing institutional collaborations, connecting mutual goals, supporting teacher participation, and developing…

The function and activities of the European Institute of Education since its inception in 1944 are examined, particularly as reflected in a number of specific programs and international conferences. Topics discussed include educational audits and surveys of education system development, language and cultural education programs, vocational…