The role of statewide governing and coordinating boards to represent a statewide, public interest point of view within that structure, avoiding partisan politics and partisanship among educational institutions or interest groups is discussed. Three functions of the statewide postsecondary agencies are identified: planning, program and budget…

Humanities programs that involve citizens in discovering the relevance of the humanities to contemporary American experience are supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities through its state affiliates. State humanities agencies, catalysts in program design and delivery, and some programs are described. (Author/MLW)

A review of eight research studies on the question of size in relation to quality of resident life in state institutions is presented. Findings of seven of the studies reviewed showed that there is some advantage to the smaller setting. None showed any advantage to larger institutions. (PHR)

By focusing on the client's psychosocial and vocational problems in a group setting, the skills requisite to rehabilitation can be adequately developed. Structured Experiental Training, a group model using the principles of goal involvement, enhances clients' ability to take responsibility and become more active in their own rehabilitation.…

Describing the duties, activities, staff, and budget of the North Carolina Bicycle Program, this article details 11 completed, 9 current, and 9 new Bicycle Program Projects. Journal availability: see RC 503 504. (SB)

Describes probable provisions of the 1976 amendments to the federal Vocational Education Act of 1963 and discusses what effect the amendments will have on federal requirements for state planning and management of vocational education programs. (JG)

Interviews 16 school board chairs in North Carolina to determine their attitudes toward state education reform legislation. Discusses two themes emerging from the interviews: Downsizing the state bureaucracy translates into autonomy and accountability at the local level, but paradoxically boards now lack the organizational buffering previously…

An estimate of the total number of adoptions in the United States and the proportion of total adoptions conducted by public agencies in 1987 was drawn from adoption information from state social services agencies, bureaus of vital statistics, and state court administrative offices. (BB)

Summarizes the results of a survey of state library agencies regarding the degree to which they encourage and assist public libraries in the use of "Planning and Role Setting for Public Libraries" and "Output Measures for Public Libraries," tools that are the accepted standards for planning and performance measurement. (LRW)

The assertion that evaluation has become institutionalized at state and local levels to a much greater degree than is commonly understood is supported by a discussion of trends in evaluation. Evidence is presented that evaluation plays an increasingly important informational role as the level of evaluation becomes more local. (SLD)

A study of state Part H coordinators investigated conflict management in early-intervention systems. Results found that 41 state agencies have already established a formal statewide mediation option for resolution of disputes related to Part H between families of infants and young children and early-intervention agencies and programs. (CR)

The Texas Commission for the Blind's (TCB's) braille literacy initiative is an agency-based program designed to enhance the braille skills of teaching staff. In addition, TCB has established braille-production stations in 30 of its district offices and offers technical assistance to regional rehabilitation personnel. (Author)

This commentary discusses the structure of residential care in the United States, the aging of caregivers and the growing demand for services, the increased longevity of persons with developmental disabilities, the long waiting lists for services, and state initiatives to address waiting lists. Policy considerations and recommendations are…

This paper considers the development of intermediary, or buffer, bodies dealing with quality assurance in higher education in Central and Eastern Europe over the past 10 years. It relates these developments to the context of communist-era centralisation and control, and to more recent interventions by international aid agencies. The lessons that…

"Moving the Needle on Poverty" is designed to provide Colorado leaders with an up-to-date picture of the diverse strategies that states across the nation are pursuing to lift individuals, families, and communities out of poverty. As the report indicates, many states are choosing to set specific and measurable goals for poverty reduction,…