National curriculum assessment in England and Wales is explored, focusing on its troubled implementation. The work of the Task Group on Assessment and Testing and teacher resistance to the mandated testing are discussed. Experiences in England and Wales provide insight into what can be expected in a national assessment system. (SLD)

Discusses planning for the use of technology in education; explains a planning process model that includes needs assessment, creating and selecting goals, and implementing and evaluating the plan; and describes an application of this model in the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District (Pennsylvania). (LRW)

The AIM (Academic Intervention Model) program was designed to promote success for at-risk middle school students within a general education setting, through collaborative efforts between general and special education staff. This paper describes types of services offered, personnel preparation, program outcomes, and implementation suggestions. (JDD)

Reviews the literature on child victimization as the manifestation of social distress, and evaluates major representative concepts of 9 paradigms identified from 46 theories, models, and perspectives. The following three stages in child victimization theories have occurred: (1) speculations (1960s); (2) introspective explorations (1970s); and (3)…

Explores the use of local area networks (LAN's) in learning laboratories and how they are improving learning outcomes for certain student populations (e.g., deaf and developmental students). Describes how LAN's alter the instructor's role and how instructors can manage student-driven classrooms. Offers guidance on implementing a network system.…

Explores the role of Chicago's (Illinois) philanthropic foundations in the development, passage, and early implementation of the Chicago School Reform Act of 1988. Although foundations played a small role in passage of the act, they became vital to its implementation. Proposes principles for foundations involved in education reform policy. (SLD)

Discusses India's population problems and efforts to implement family planning and population education programs since the 1930s. Describes the National Population Education Project's nonformal education, school-based, and teacher training components, as well as separate cocurricular, higher education, adult education, and media activities. (DMM)

Challenges identified by T. Bailey (1993) as obstacles to youth apprenticeship programs are accurate but do not justify the turn to alternative approaches he recommends. U.S.-style program can be built to overcome these difficulties if employer-worker collaboration can be fostered and institutional bases can be constructed. (SLD)

S. F. Hamilton and the author agree on the potential of youth apprenticeship programs for education but disagree on the strength of the problems facing implementation of apprenticeship models. A two-level reform strategy is recommended to develop an institutional and legal structure and to encourage employer participation. (SLD)

Presents observations and lessons drawn from two years of Kentucky school reform. Implementing the Kentucky School Reform Act of 1990 teaches that reforming schools also requires addressing the ways in which communities raise their children. Community work, with parent and student participation, improves family conditions and political decision…

Reviews the Using World Issues in the News (U-WIN) program developed for a six-county area in Indiana served by the "Indianapolis News" newspaper. Explains and evaluates program implementation: articles on world issues published in the newspaper for classroom use; lesson packets; workshops; site visits; and presentations. Concludes the…

A model for assessing the readiness and potential of undergraduate social work students for field education is presented, and issues to consider in implementing such a model are identified, including faculty and university support of and student response to the professional gatekeeping process. One university's experience is discussed. (Author/MSE)

Reviews the emerging second wave of research generated by many different countries and relates findings about good school characteristics to broader managerial issues concerned with the actual implementation of effective schools research. School improvement programs should be school-based and "whole school"-oriented and dependent on outside…

The article highlights the results of a Riverside County, California, project to assist special education teachers to develop expertise in strategy instruction. It describes efforts to overcome school/district obstacles to change, establish teacher support groups, and facilitate a reorientation in basic special education philosophy. (JDD)

The role of an "Educational Consultant" at the Cochlear Implant Center of the Manhattan (New York) Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital involves assisting in implant candidate selection; acting as a liaison to local education agencies; interviewing parents; visiting the child's school; demonstrating classroom listening activities; and monitoring the child's…