Reviews the needs assessment studies described in this journal issue. Concludes that (1) lessons from completed needs assessments can help continuing education practitioners plan and conduct future studies, and (2) a rational, need-reduction, decision-making approach can improve continuing education programs. (CT)

Agricultural educators will be expected to come closer to identifying specific knowledge, skills, attitudes, and experiences that students develop as a result of teachers' efforts. Making animal agriculture courses competency-based would be a first step towards this end. (LRA)

There is room to invigorate community colleges to meet continuing education needs of today and tomorrow. Community colleges will need to review their success in such an ever-growing, ever-changing endeavor. (Author)

Describes a project conducted to develop standards and guidelines for the improvement of industrial arts programs that fulfill the objectives of the Vocational Education Act of 1963, as amended by the Education Amendments of 1976. (LRA)

A study to identify specific areas of vocational agriculture teaching in need of the greatest improvement found that recruitment and retention of competent instructors were seen as the areas in need of the greatest improvement. (LRA)

Foresees a period of adversity for higher education, characterized by declining enrollments and financial resources. Urges colleges to look for ways to improve the quality of and expand their services, especially with regard to an increasingly part-time, adult student population. (AYC)

Effective improvement of accreditation standards for teacher education institutions must deal with deeply rooted problems such as inadequate educational finance and staffing. (LH)

The University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA) is a private, non-profit corporation whose membership consists of major universities in the United States and Canada. Its goal is to improve the professional preparation of administrative personnel in education. (Author/RK)

Traces a pilot scheme to design, revise, and implement Looking After Children (LAC) materials. The project focused on two main sets of forms and how they could most effectively provide a solid framework for collecting and sharing key information of maximum benefit to children, parents, and carers, bearing in mind the requirements of the Children…

Proposes six guidelines for designing appropriate screening programs for children at school entrance: choosing appropriate goals, matching assessment choices to program goals, using psychometrically sound instruments, incorporating findings of research into screening programs, including input from parents and other caregivers, and mandating…

Shooting sports teach discipline and responsibility, permit universal participation, and are popular with campers, yet are declining because of certification, cost, and safety issues. BB guns and air rifles are safer and quieter, need less space, can be used indoors, and are inexpensive compared to small-bore rifles. New target systems reduce…

Reflects on previous articles in the same journal that address the preparation of special education teachers. The need for preparation programs to clearly identify necessary expertise and evaluate its acquisition with rigor is discussed, along with the need to prepare professionals to function in the community beyond the classroom. (CR)

Discusses the growth in Social Security Administration (SSA) disability programs and suggests that one means of assisting SSA beneficiaries to reduce dependence is for the SSA to directly or indirectly fund competitive employment initiatives focusing on vocational rehabilitation for individuals who are currently served in nonremunerative day…

This paper reports the use of multi-attribute utility analysis for evaluating the goals and services of a state vocational rehabilitation agency. Uses included: (1) identification and clarification of agency goals and services; (2) engagement of stakeholders in the determination of measurable attributes of these goals; and (3) use of…

Describes what one school is doing in its theater faculty to seize the opportunity of "owning" an assessment program. (KEH)