State agencies and organizations are playing an increasingly significant role in American higher education. With rising educational costs, increasingly complex programs, and burgeoning enrollments have come a movement toward State governing and coordinating boards designed to provide lay leadership in the advancement of public higher education. In…

Provides a mathematical model for comparing the infant mortality rates (IMRs) of different States to long-term trends. Presents separate analyses of white IMRs in 49 States and non-white IMRs in 30 States. Nine States had infant mortality trends less favorable than the national experience and 1981-83 rates more than 5% above the national average.…

The paper presents the results of a state-by-state survey of state agencies serving blind and visually impaired individuals. Characteristics of registers reported in use by 27 states are reviewed. (Author/CL)

Discussed are the inadequacies of rehabilitation counselors and state agencies in dealing with the population of clients seeking services. (IM)

This paper outlines the preparations necessary for state psychological associations to make a timely, well-coordinated, and successful mental health response to disaster or trauma. It is suggested that early planning, recruiting, training, connecting with an authorized disaster organization, forming a mental health coalition, organizing…

A call for state leadership. (Editor)

SEAs will have to concentrate on learning how to do budgeting, evaluating, and relationship building with respect to the statewide educational systems. (Author)

Functions and form are the basis ofpast and present legislation relating to state libraries. Legislation adds to, or revises, but seldon drops any state library agency functions. The legislative shifting of functions from one government unit to another, and back again, indicates uncertainty as to which is most effective. (Author/NH)

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…

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…

When questionnaires were used to assess the involvement of state library agencies in the provision of public library youth services, a consultant profile emerged. Consultants' activities, strengths and weaknesses are described, and a stronger commitment by agencies to consultants and to effective library service for children is urged. (EA)

Responses from 69 of 92 state employment service managers and 199 of 240 secondary principals in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington indicated that managers viewed business competencies and classes as significantly more important than principals do. A business course for all students was supported by 88% of managers and 34% of principals. (SK)

The state of Maine redesigned the process of hiring child welfare case workers. The new process calls for prescreening candidates, weeding the database of old register, and establishing valid screening criteria and a standardized statewide process. The new method resulted in a more efficient process. (JOW)

This issue of "Legislative Review" takes a look at the news in higher education from February 2 to 6, 2009. This Legislative Review reports that: (1) HB 1447, a bill giving the Legislature authority to set tuition and fee rates, was heard in the House Education Committee Wednesday, February 4; (2) the Senate Finance and Taxation…