This handbook is designed for use by trained educational diagnosticians and special educators as they go about the complex task of identifying students with perceptual/communicative disabilities (PCD) and determining eligibility for special education services. Section 1 of the text discusses federal criteria for determining the existence of a…

In this report, the General Accounting Office (GAO) examined how different states are implementing the work requirements and time limits called for by the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. Data were collected from site visits in 4 states, telephone interviews with TANF officials in 8 additional states, and a survey…

This paper presents regulatory change proposals from the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board and Department of Advanced Education and Career Development for public discussion and comment. Section 1 outlines proposals relating to regulations: program and process details; the ratio of journeymen to apprentices; and apprentice wages.…

These two publications consist of a final phase summary of proposed regulations consistent with Alberta's new Apprenticeship and Industry Training Amendment Act, 2000, and a supplement with detailed information on proposed regulations and orders. The summary's Section 1 contains a history of the consultation process. Section 2 focuses on…

This report from the Southwest Educational Development Laboratory (SEDL) examines the status of publicly funded voucher programs, issues affecting the voucher movement, and program research. No legislature in the five member states served by SEDL has adopted vouchers, but several private programs are in place. Proponents claim vouchers offer an…

This report provides highlights and updates regarding state actions on child care and early education issues during 2000. The information in the report was collected by means of written and telephone surveys with advocates or state child care administrators in each state. The final draft was reviewed for verification by advocates or a state child…

This report provides highlights and updates regarding state actions on child care and early education issues during 1999. It is intended to serve as a supplement to "State Child Care and Early Education Development: Highlights and Updates for 1998" and "State Developments in Child Care and Early Education 1997." The information…

This article discusses the importance of child advocacy and describes major challenges to advocates for students with emotional and behavioral disorders in three areas: legislative and judicial, educational, and media. Suggestions are offered for effective advocacy in each area. A list of resources for advocacy is also provided. (Contains…

Legislative and programmatic efforts to improve teacher quality have become a major focus of state policymaking in recent years. States have employed numerous strategies in response to concerns about the preparation, quantity, and capacity of the teacher workforce. In this chapter, the authors introduce conceptual frameworks for understanding…

The US Constitution, federal and state legislatures, courts, and regulations permit physical restraint for both therapeutic (i.e., behavior change) and risk prevention purposes. Although most venues limit restraint as punishment, no government entity prohibits use of physical restraint as a response to imminent danger. This paper provides a…

Virginia's Department of Education and Department of Health are concerned with the health of children and youth, and with the implementation of comprehensive school health programs. These guidelines provide a basis for developing a model school health program or for enriching an existing program, focusing on health services and school environment.…

This manual is written for state and local administrators and statewide child care and child health organizations looking for ways to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their child care regulatory review, rule-making process, and enforcement system. Data collection procedures and a review team process, state administrators can identify…

This document provides a side-by-side comparison of Virginia regulations governing special education programs, the Virginia Comprehensive Services Act, and the federal 1997 Amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1997. Differences and similarities are illustrated for sections relating to: (1) definitions; (2)…

This handbook is for youth placed in foster care through local departments of social services (DSS) (not the juvenile justice system). The handbook was written for youth entering foster care for the first time as well as youth already in foster care, in the hope that youth entering or already in foster care will find the information helpful. The…

This paper addresses issues of concern to trustees of public, single-campus four-year institutions of higher education. Seven critical issues are listed: (1) enrollment trends are changing--although overall enrollment is increasing, the rate of growth is declining and there has been a shift from four-year and graduate institutions to two-year…