Pre/post meeting surveys of 181 participants in public land management meetings (51% response) determined that high-quality public participation in public agency meetings affects participants' beliefs in the effectiveness of those agencies. Positive associations were also found with tolerance for differences of opinion. (Contains 28 references.)…

Responses from 140 of 323 state agencies indicated the following: only 13% use formal needs assessment for 80% of their training; 39% survey employees about their needs; 31% depend on management mandates; group discussion and lecture were most often used methods; and 47% do not assess employees' job performance after training. (SK)

Responses from 59 of 67 Florida county extension directors identified professional development needs of extension specialists: (1) understanding client needs; (2) producing appropriate educational materials; (3) delivering inservice training to county extension agents; (4) evaluating state programs; and (5) increasing interaction at the local…

Local interagency transition councils have been deemed the appropriate vehicle for planning and implementing transition services for students with disabilities. A recent evaluation of Florida's system disclosed that students and businesses are underrepresented on transition councils. Districts developing transition programs without interagency…

Volunteerism in third-sector charitable/volunteer organizations takes different forms and involves different practices depending on contexts. Four operating frameworks--charity, activist, welfare state, and market--facilitate, co-opt, or impede volunteer practices in different settings. (Contains 18 references.) (JOW)

Investigates the factors that underpin the establishment, development, and maintenance of partnerships between employers and vocational rehabilitation agencies. The identified factors were similar to those obtained from previous research. However, it was also found that these characteristics may differ according to the stage of development of…

The COOL (Community Opportunities for Older Learners) Leicester project os a model for encouraging community partnerships and sharing resources to raise the public profile of older adult learning in a community setting. It is being expanded to a nationwide network in Britain. (JOW)

Lists elementary and secondary schools accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and affiliate districts. Lists schools granted candidacy status, outcomes accreditation candidacy status, and outcomes accreditation. Schools are grouped by state and listed by post office address. Includes accredited Department of Defense…

Discusses how Dallas, Texas, Area Agency on Aging met requirement of 1987 amendments to Older Americans Act of 1965 that State Offices on Aging identify agencies involved in identifying and treating abused, neglected, and exploited elders and determine their need for services. Describes impact of Elder Abuse Task Force on state law, adult…

Two articles discuss the Triad--state, federal, and accrediting agencies with oversight responsibilities for postsecondary institutions--and its concerns about alleged abuses of public funds. Suggestions for improvement are made. (JOW)

Lists elementary and secondary schools accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, affiliate districts, candidate schools, candidates for and recipients of outcomes accreditation. (DMM)

Lists schools newly admitted to the Commission on Schools of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, schools discontinued or withdrawn, members of reviewing committees, a membership chart by category of schools, and committees of the commission. (DMM)

The paper defines "interdisciplinary" and "interorganizational," identifies concerns in interdisciplinary and interorganizational work, develops an interdisciplinary/interorganizational framework, and analyzes problems and solutions in development of technology for physically disabled persons. (Author/DB)

A guest editorial comments on the acrimonious rhetoric and arguments exhibited in the debate over the use of aversives with individuals with mental retardation. The editorial urges members of the field to refocus their framing of the issues around respect for persons, beneficence, and justice. (JDD)

Compares auditing with evaluation research in terms of foci, independence, quality control, and professionalism of program evaluation practitioners. Indicates that if policymakers do not consider what they expect from evaluations and incorporate expectations into requests for evaluations, practitioners will make the decisions for them. (JOW)