Describes the Ohioview Research Consortium, composed of university libraries and government agencies, which was formed to promote the low-cost distribution of government civilian satellite data for public use. Discusses the strong leadership role that the university library component has been called upon to play. (LRW)

Partnerships pose opportunities and challenges for school principals, especially when involving organizations and programs outside education. Collaborative school leaders must be able to appreciate diverse perspectives, understand the big picture, gather and use data for planning, motivate themselves and others, facilitate group efforts, solve…

Employee assistance programs (EAPs) are emerging as an efficient way to address employee rights, particularly in light of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act. Well-managed EAPs help maintain a healthy, motivated, productive workforce, show effort to provide reasonable accommodation of employee needs, and may…

A study of state Part H coordinators investigated conflict management in early-intervention systems. Results found that 41 state agencies have already established a formal statewide mediation option for resolution of disputes related to Part H between families of infants and young children and early-intervention agencies and programs. (CR)

In 1995, Texas adopted the Safe Schools Act, designed to allow disruptive students' removal from class, while ensuring a safety net for students who otherwise might evolve into undereducated criminals. Participating staff report successes with individual students who function better in the disciplined environment of an alternative educational…

Children in out-of-home care risk losing contact with parents and others despite emphasis of the Children Act 1989. Contact is lower for children in foster care and as family support diminishes. Contact after adoption increases as methods of indirect contact developed by adoption agencies are implemented; lost contact for all children can be…

Discusses types of Internet services and service providers. Urges rural social service agencies to evaluate use of the Internet as a means to alleviate professional isolation, become part of a larger community, and extend computing resources to clients. Lists 44 rural gopher sites, 37 freenets, 14 listservs, and 13 rural health links. (SAS)

The team approach recognizes that children have multifaceted needs that cannot be effectively addressed by a single service provider. Although "Partnerships in Family-Centered Intervention" is directed toward early-intervention settings, it is a useful text for preservice teachers, family members, and others involved in the educational process.…

Describes the efforts some states are making to regulate online colleges that lack accreditation. The problem is complicated by the fact that if a state takes a tough approach, the institutions can easily change mailing addresses to obtain degree-granting licenses in other states. Describes some of these colleges and some of the accrediting…

Describes the new Scottish Parliament's first education crisis: failure of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), which oversees the public examinations system, to make timely and correct awards to secondary students who sat exams. Discusses data processing problems, accountability and ministerial responsibility, communication issues,…

There's a wide discrepancy between the "state of the art" and the "state of practice" in education everywhere. Inadequate but continuing federal categorical programs are one example of this knowledge/practice gap. Recent Chapter 1 program revisions geared toward involving community agencies and making the total school program a…

The Texas Commission for the Blind's (TCB's) braille literacy initiative is an agency-based program designed to enhance the braille skills of teaching staff. In addition, TCB has established braille-production stations in 30 of its district offices and offers technical assistance to regional rehabilitation personnel. (Author)

This article describes the purpose of vocational rehabilitation and the service delivery process for individuals with learning disabilities in transition from school to work or postsecondary education settings. Suggestions are made to prepare families and students with learning disabilities, vocational rehabilitation counselors, and special…

This article synthesizes descriptions of and recommendations for community transition teams which assist in the transition of youth with learning or other disabilities from school to adult life. The levels, composition, and functions of transition teams are described. Community-level transition teams are shown to be critical support vehicles for…

Discusses the founding and demise of the North Central Association's Commission on Unit Courses and Curricula (CUCC), which was designed to help develop and standardize curricula. Indicates that the accrediting bodies for secondary schools and higher education handle their own public relations without the coordination provided by CUCC. (Contains…