The adoption and systematic use of planning guidelines and the pursuit of a disciplined strategy for implementation have provided the University of Miami with a powerful process for shaping its future. Decentralized and responsive centralized planning, defining the planning process, and guidelines used by the University of Miami are presented.…

Case studies of two children illustrate the ways in which an overemphasis on functional goals stressing efficiency through categorization and specialization has made special education in the United States a bureaucratic patchwork that should be disassembled and rebuilt. The relevance of current practices to student needs must be evaluated. (SLD)

This study of special education faculty needs at institutions of higher education for the periods 1984-88 and 1989-94 found that many positions were filled by individuals already in higher education or previously employed in state or local education agencies. Results suggest that a substantial number of future applicants may also come from these…

Describes factors that motivate as well as factors that deter faculty in using multimedia workstations connected to peripherals and projection systems for classroom presentations. Based on a faculty survey, current use of multimedia at Wright State University is explained, including a universitywide project and a liberal arts project using…

A 20-state survey of supported employment personnel (131 direct training staff and 79 supervisory staff) serving people with mental retardation identified the importance of training in such areas as "matching the job to the applicant,""gathering information on job prospects,""understanding transition from school to…

Gives suggestions about starting a school family center, beginning with a survey of parents to assess needs and wishes. A survey-planning process is outlined and a sample parent survey is included. Surveys must be tailored to the needs of the community, including translation into languages spoken by the parents. (SLD)

Discusses an in-service cross-training program designed for reference desk workers at the University of New Mexico Library. Describes the reference department and provides an overview of cross training. Highlights include training issues, a needs assessment questionnaire, program implementation, and evaluation. Four appendices provide sample…

Asserts that conducting an organizational survey efficiently and effectively requires detailed planning. Provides an outline of the general steps common to organizational surveys but cautions that the process cannot be covered fully in a brief article. Presents a five-phase process and discusses common problems and pitfalls. (CFR)

Addresses the importance of vocational assessment for students with disabilities. Discusses the legislative and governmental impetus for the development of vocational assessment programs in the school. Presents some current vocational assessment models, including a transdisciplinary vocational assessment design, school-based models, and a…

Family policy is a critical area of concern for family professionals. A model of political decision making is presented that includes values, politics, and capability dimensions. Strategies for family professionals to address each dimension are presented, as are guidelines for effective communication with policymakers. (Author)

The area of finance should be the first one to be automated or upgraded with computers. After a needs analysis, a computer consultant will work with management to determine a realistic budget that will get the most computing power for the dollars available. Offers 10 tips for working with consultants. (MLF)

Describes the steps involved in writing a school technology plan and recommends the National Center for Technology Planning as a helpful resource. Topics include administrative approval, technology planning committee, use of consultants, needs assessment, equipment inventory, data analysis, finances and budget information, implementation, and…

A theoretical model is presented, suggesting stakeholder involvement in establishing the process of decision making in school-conducted needs assessment. Stakeholder involvement affects the validity of the selected needs, with validity defined as teacher agreement with needs selection. Data from a survey of 151 teachers support the model. (SLD)

This article discusses the need for a computerized information system to assist people with visual impairments in the United Kingdom in the job search process. Factors for consideration in designing such a database are discussed, and a program for development, evaluation, and implementation is proposed. (Author/DB)

The Education TECH Point system can be used by school districts as a tool to develop effective federally required assistive technology delivery systems for students with disabilities. The technique involves the systematic analysis of questions concerning: initial referral, evaluation, extended assessment, plan development, implementation, and…