This document presents the conclusions of a Council for Exceptional Children commission that identified barriers to high-quality special education and proposed an action agenda. The commission identified eight issues underlying high teacher attrition rates: (1) ambiguous and competing responsibilities; (2) overwhelming paperwork; (3) inadequate…

This document addresses an environmental scan done in the Colorado Community College System (CCCS). The goals of an environmental scan include collecting external information, predicting future trends, and analyzing how these trends might affect an organization. The environmental scan completed for the CCCS focused on emerging trends that may…

This paper aims to present a methodology for assessing within-state regional needs for community college services, and describe the policy tools and strategies available to policymakers who intend to address these needs. The paper builds on work that the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS) prepared for the National…

This brief paper summarizes information collected from state education agencies concerning: (1) state-level special education data collected by gender; and (2) gender and special education issues identified as concerns. A section on the study's background notes that about two-thirds of students receiving special education services are boys,…

This document presents results of an evaluation of Virginia's Department of Education's Training and Technical Assistance Centers (T/TACs), a statewide system of technical assistance which emphasizes collaboration in the planning and provision of services to children and youth with disabilities or at risk for school failure. Evaluation results are…

This decision tool presents a progression of data collection and decision-making strategies that can increase the effectiveness of distance-based or distributed learning instruction. A narrative and flow chart cover the following steps: (1) basic assumptions, including purpose of instruction, market scan, and financial resources; (2) needs…

Trends in lifelong learning were examined through a review of the following: perspectives of selected international organizations (Council of Europe; United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization; Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development; and the European Union); experiences of five European countries (Finland,…

This book is designed to help school counselors, counselors in training, school administrators, and other members of the school community to develop and strengthen developmental school counseling programs. This second edition has been completely revised to reflect current issues in school planning and management. New features include: direction…

This report summarizes the work and achievements of Year 2 of the Positive Parenting Project. The project was designed to support parents in combating the effects of poverty in four disadvantaged communities in Scotland, by using a needs-led and preventive approach; by working in partnership with parents and other agencies to develop sustainable…

This report presents findings of a special team to review special education policy, its implementation, accountability, and program effectiveness in British Columbia. The team identified a set of issues to address including: inclusion/integration, parental involvement, assessment, Individual Education Plans, evaluation, transitions, employees who…

The AccessMichigan Electronic Community Health Information Initiative (AMECHII) is a response to a recommendation of the Michigan Information Technology Commission Report recommending improved access to high-quality health care information for all Michigan stakeholders. This project is multi-type, including public, general academic, academic…

This manual is intended primarily to support policymakers and managers in local education authorities (LEAs) in carrying out their duties under Britain's Further and Higher Education Act 1992 in the new context of collaborative planning as set out in the 1998 Green Paper, "Learning Is for Everyone." Section 1 provides a summary of the…

This manual provides a detailed outline of the innovative school-community collaboration between the New York City Public Schools and the Children's Aid Society of New York City to meet the pressing needs of children and families in the Washington Heights neighborhood. The manual describes the steps taken to develop the program of social services…

This document provides technical assistance in addressing major areas of the child care facility construction and renovation process, including conducting a child care community needs assessment, identifying a site, financing costs, developing a business plan, conducting an environmental assessment, building and designing a facility, and hiring…

In the University of Toledo/Springfield Local Schools Project, school districts, community councils, and teacher education institutions collaborated to assess school improvement needs and design personnel development programs. Results of this Teacher Corps program are described. (PP)