The effects of living unit (ward) staff input and participant (78 retarded adults) input into activity selection on participation in goal-directed activities were studied. The results reflect the importance of both living unit staff and participant's input into the decision-making process. (Author)

Questionnaires completed by 133 paraprofessionals working in classes for severely handicapped students revealed that the aides, mostly young and inexperienced, listed behavior management, individual training, feeding, and toileting their primary duties. However, many teachers' responsibilities, such as instructional planning, report writing, and…

Analysis of surveys completed by 41 state consultants for gifted education revealed various official titles, a variety of time allocation, and a preponderance of state support for the position. Responsibilities most often cited include preparing and coordinating grants. (CL)

The results indicated that over the 10 homes there was a strong inverse correlation between mean self-reported delinquency and the average amount of time youths spent talking to and in proximity to their group home parents. (Author)

The author reviews the role of the school nurse in the diagnosis of learning disabilities. Eight behavioral characteristics of learning disability, such as hyperactivity, are listed and the causes of the disability are discussed. Aspects of the nurse's role in health assessment are outlined, including the aspects of a health history and…

J. Jackson's Characteristics of the Treatment Environment was administered to 130 staff members of eight nursing homes in one county to assess the quality of care given retarded persons. (Author)

The order of importance of 15 educational planning committee roles was compared to their importance in the special education planning process before and after a meeting by 130 participants. The results showed that parents, social workers, and principals were rated high before the meeting and ranked low in term of their actual contribution (after…

This article outlines the topic of consultation in special and regular education and introduces subsequent articles that address consultation issues. The article points out that special and general educators, school psychologists, school counselors, speech and language pathologists, occupational and physical therapists, and school nurses are…

Well-trained off-site trip leaders can turn a trip into a positive educational lesson. American Camping Association standards are referenced, and some personality traits are suggested as criteria for determining the suitability of staff to act responsibly "in loco director." Discusses factors that determine counselor-to-camper ratios,…

Argues for examining computerized career information and guidance systems in the same way in which paper-and-pencil instruments are assessed. Considers issues related to programing, technical-service problems, and staffing. (Author/ABL)

The study sought to identify factors that influence the willingness of persons associated with 24-hour residential care to report possible abuse and neglect events. The survey of 598 respondents in five states found characteristics of the event, the resident, staff, and respondent attitudes components of a hierarchical regression model. (Author/DB)

Early intervention services provided to infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families include case management. A historical framework for the concept of case management is presented, the role of the case manager in early intervention is explored, and competencies involved in the role are outlined. (Author/JDD)

Performance appraisal is widely endorsed as an essential part of the staffing process, yet most student affairs practitioners acknowledge that it is done poorly, or not at all, in their institutions. The reasons for this neglect are outlined, and suggestions are offered for ways to make performance appraisal a more valuable staffing tool.…

Compares three categories of staff at substance-abuse treatment facilities: recovering, nonrecovering, and having recovering or addicted family members. More staff with addicted or recovering family members were female, were similar to nonrecovering staff in their treatment approach, and fell between the other two groups on measures of roles…