A five-question survey of state vocational rehabilitation agency policies regarding the diagnosing of mental retardation for eligibility for service reports results such as that most states do not use diagnostic criteria that are in line with the guidelines recommended by the American Assocation on Mental Deficiency. (Author/MC)

The synopsis describes development by the Mississippi Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind Agency of a data processing system to improve service delivery for clients and enhance the cost-effectiveness of agency resources. (Author/MC)

The agencies requiring the longest amount of time to respond generally provided better quality responses. The size of the agency seemed unrelated to either the speed or the quality of response. Response quality was generally inadequate with less than 50 percent of the responding states adequately answering the parent's question. (Author)

Briefly describes the development of a comprehensive staff development program for school personnel, education officers and parents in Northwestern Ontario. (Author/RH)

State coordinating boards address a variety of issues that relate to students and to student affairs operations. In order to participate in shaping and addressing these issues, student affairs staff need to understand how these boards operate and how to work most effectively with them. (Contains 33 references.) (Author)

An effective leadership model places the target clientele--undereducated adults--at the top of a pyramid of influence. The leader's role is to convince others of the importance of the mission and assist them in achieving it. (SK)

Describes the growth of Indian social organizations in Phoenix (Arizona). With changes in federal policy and the increasingly uncertain role of Arizona's Commission on Indian Affairs, these institutions take on growing social and political importance, as such organizations have done for other ethnic groups. (DM)

Examines the actions Oregon is taking to prepare its work force for the twenty-first century. Focuses on the choices about work organization and training that must be confronted and explores potential challenges that must be faced. (JOW)

Discusses the outcomes approach to measuring progress toward agreed-upon goals adopted by the Vermont Agency of Human Services. The outcomes and indicators span the areas of maternal and child health, school readiness and success, youth behavior, economic vitality, and safety and welfare. (Author/JOW)

Data comparing disabled black and white Americans from one state revealed that a disproportionate number of blacks received inadequate services or were not accepted for service after applying. Among applicants accepted, more black cases were closed without rehabilitation, and among those with successful placements, blacks were more likely to…

Reviews the extent to which states have developed comprehensive environmental education programs. Discusses environmental education curriculum requirements, guidelines/frameworks, and curriculum guides; teacher training; environmental education specialists and other staff positions within state agencies; administrative, policy-generating, and…

Contains data on state library agencies, including these agencies' governance, staffing, income and expenditures, electronic services, and services to libraries. Data are from the State Library Agencies Survey. (Author/SLD)

In states that do not have legislation or regulations providing specific and strong requirements for gifted education (i.e., individually defined and enforceable rights akin to those under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [IDEA]), the "case law"--the published hearing/review officer and court decisions concerning who is…

Warrior Elementary is a pubic school within the Navajo Nation. District and school reforms fought against school closure or private restructuring due to pressures associated with repeated failure on standardized tests under the 2001 No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act. Warrior Elementary saw tremendous academic gains on these tests one year after a…

Purpose: The study describes Oregon state policy and supply developments for licensed long-term-care settings, particularly apartment-style assisted living facilities and more traditional residential care facilities. Design and Methods: Data came from a variety of sources, including state agency administrative records, other secondary data…