Effective staff development programs are the primary vehicle for improving schools and increasing student learning. Such programs would be school-based, be designed to meet the needs of both school and staff, use both internal and external resources, and be shaped by the needs of the participants at the school site. (JN)

Explores three elements of instruction that contribute to the development of humanistic educational programs for older adults, including intended educational outcomes, needs of older learners, and instructional methods. Presented at the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education meeting, Washington, D.C., March 1979. (RC)

Randomly sampled students (N=287) indicated the Help Line at the University of Nebraska significantly helped with their personal and informational needs. Perceptions of Help Line's purposes fell into two groups: informational versus personal. The two groups had radically different call rates. Advertising procedures are also discussed. (Author)

This analogue study examined effects of inconsistencies between a counselor's verbal and nonverbal behaviors on client proxemic behavior and ratings of counselor genuineness. Based on role plays of 80 undergraduates with a confederate male counselor, results indicated that inconsistent messages led to greater interpersonal distances and lower…

Loss through divorce, frequently involves a higher need for counseling than loss through death because the client frequntly receives a devalued self-concept when an active choice is made to terminate the relationship. The model presented has proven to be effective in assisting clients to reevaluate self-worth in a constructive manner. (Author)

Conceptualizes parental involvement in schools from perspectives of 57 (upper middle-class) parents with elementary-age children. Respondents defined parental involvement, rated current school practices for involvement, and suggested methods to increase participation. Meaningful involvement is individualized to family situations and focuses…

To identify areas where seats could be removed to accommodate a growing collection, the University of Wollongong (New South Wales, Australia) library surveyed patron seating usage. The survey supported a 12% reduction in seating, which enabled the installation of additional shelving and a compactus to store 20,000 volumes while having a minimal…

The author states that the integration of computers into vocational education will result in wider opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Three obstacles stand in the way of the full use of computers: the expense of special equipment, the lack of good software, and teacher apprehension. (CH)

Examined are the political, historic, and economic influences in England and Wales affecting the categorization and labeling of pupils with special educational needs. The paper concludes that adoption of a non-categorical classification system has been unsuccessful in abolishing labeling, but has obfuscated statistical information reported by the…

Presents 12 ideals that libraries strive for, including informing citizens; breaking down boundaries, including literacy programs; promoting equity in resource availability; valuing the individual; nourishing creativity; helping children; providing business information; building communities; supporting families; fighting censorship challenges;…

Describes how the greening of the urban environment is becoming an increasingly significant part of innercity renewal. Discusses the importance of urban wildlife, barriers to change, and opportunities for improving urban wildlife habitats. (14 references) (MCO)

Conducts an ethnographic study, collecting life stories from people with mental retardation living at London's L' Arche community (a center of group homes with disabled and nondisabled residents). Uses Robert Cole's methodology of interpretive narrative, and explains the procedure. Argues that these life stories provide insight that can help…

Though mainstreaming students with exceptional needs for physical education has become common practice, sharing information about their requirements is not so common. The article discusses why it is not happening, stresses its importance, and describes the process. Several possible accommodations for exceptional students are listed. (SM)

Discusses advantages of flexible grouping over ability grouping. Maintains ability grouping is nonprogressive, and blames it for the unequal treatment of students who have a low perception of themselves. Flexible grouping is based on the use of a variety of group patterns to accommodate diverse interests, learning rates, and special styles. (DG)

This article reviews definitions of quality of life; explores the subjective nature of life quality for people with disabilities; relates the concept to cultural norms and universal human values and needs; explores the optimal theory of personal well-being; and surveys the source and use of research and implications for planning and evaluating…