Interviews with 11 teachers, specialists, and administrators focus on development of individualized education programs (IEPs) for handicapped students. (CL)

This preliminary report summarizes the types of state-issued certification available to educational media personnel and library personnel. Every state provides some type of certification. (STS)

A survey of 23 state conducted family support programs revealed that great variability exists on eligibility criteria, methods of program administration, amount of support, and types of services provided. Program evaluation data indicate that cost-benefits, decreased rates of out-of-home placement, and effects on family enhancement are primary…

Reviews the history of state mental health planning from the federal perspective, discusses some state objectives for comprehensive planning, and presents a participatory model for plan development. Demonstrates how the model can be used to produce a mental health plan that is a viable management tool fulfilling many state objectives. (Author/BH)

Three state organizations in Minnesota have cooperated to increase public awareness of gifted students. Activities, including public service announcements, talk show appearances, displays, and direct mail efforts are described. (CL)

Dissimilarities between vocational rehabilitation and special education are noted, making school-to-work transition complicated. The author cites fiscal and program practices in Wisconsin that successfully link rehabilitation to education. (CL)

The history, philosophy, and importance of family support programs to enhance caregiving capacities of families with disabled children are recounted. Information from a survey of state family support programs is summarized, and successful aspects of Michigan's support subsidy are described. (CL)

Examines post-retirement benefit increases in 76 large state pension plans and the impact of such increases on the purchasing power and adequacy of pension benefits. Although nearly all plans increased benefits for retirees, increases were much less than needed to maintain the purchasing power of pension benefits. (Author/JAC)

A national census of all state-licensed residential facilities for mentally retarded persons is summarized. Information on characteristics of facilities is presented along with demographic/functional characteristics of residents. The census verified the existence of an extensive variety of residential living alternatives available to mentally…

Reviews the history of the Crippled Children's Service (CCS) program and reports results of a survey of state CCS programs conducted in 1981. Documents extensive variability among state programs in number of children served, conditions covered, services provided, and other indices. Emphasizes the considerable influence of historical and leadership…

Discusses the inadequacies of the California High School Proficiency Examination and examines how the test has usurped every school board's responsibility to define and implement a meaningful education. (Author/IRT)

The A-95 review is a procedure for coordinating federally assisted programs and projects with each other and with state, regional, and local plans and programs. This article describes the Project Notification Review System that New York state has implemented in order to comply with the federal A-95 requirements. (Author/IRT)

The Maternal and Child Health Bureau launched the State Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems (SECCS) Initiative to promote the healthy development and school readiness of young children. This brief is a planning tool designed to assist states in conducting strategic planning throughout the initiative. It is organized into seven steps as…

Two methods to establish a common scale across grades within a content area using a common item design (separate and concurrent) have previously been studied under simulated conditions. Separate estimation is accomplished through separate calibration and grade-by-grade chained linking. Concurrent calibration established the vertical scale in a…

The No Child Left Behind Act required states and districts to begin offering supplemental educational services in the 2002-03 school year to students from low-income families attending Title I schools that had been identified for improvement for two years or more. This study examined the first year of implementation of supplemental services…