Describes a study conducted to determine how many state governments had established employee assistance programs (EAPs). Results concerned how state EAPs are organized, services provided, cost of programs, what dollars or productive benefits were calculated, and what problems have been encountered by state EAPs. (CT)

Provides information on the registration requirements and programs for sanitarians in 34 states, including minimum educational experience and state/national examination requirements. Indicates that Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont,…

Relates experiences and impressions gained from visiting rural primary schools in Victoria, Australia, as a science consultant. Concludes that the schools are functional, well cared for, and a pleasant, active center of rural communities. (BRR)

The governor of South Carolina provides information about that state's Education Improvement Act of l984 and explains how it brought about educational reform. (FL)

Describes two Arkansas and Maryland elementary schools--studied by the Education Commission of the States--that developed effective instructional improvement programs despite minimal budget and staff. Concludes that state education agencies can significantly improve schools through training programs that transcend traditional teacher-administrator…

Remarks of nationally recognized leaders in gifted education are summarized from a 1982 meeting to discuss development of preschool gifted programs in Louisiana. Discussion focuses on identification, curriculum, teacher preparation, evaluation, and parent participation. (CL)

Physical fitness and recreation programs can be a deterrent to premature aging. State-funded physical activity programs for older adults in Illinois offer minimal benefits due to volunteer and untrained personnel. Results of this study are presented. (DF)

Describes Phase 1 of Florida's competency-based teacher education program which is concerned with identifying and validating professional competencies important to beginning and experienced trade and industrial education teachers. (TA)

As a result of a report on the shortcomings of education for gifted and talented youth throughout the country, the U.S. Office of Education established a National Leadership Training Institute for the Gifted and Talented, designed to train teams of five leaders each from every state. (SBH)

During the 2001-2002 school year, the Read to Achieve Grant program was successfully implemented in 553 schools throughout Colorado. All funded schools were held accountable for reaching the specific reading achievement goals outlined in the statute establishing the program in order to be recommended for second year funding. The Read to Achieve…

There may be some important unintended consequences if states do not go beyond the "adequate yearly progress" (AYP) requirement of the No Child Left Behind Act. Analyses of data from states in which accountability systems in place have been based on the percentage of students reaching a certain proficiency level suggest that many…

This paper summarizes information from interviews with four states regarding their Universal Design for Learning (UDL) initiatives, i.e., state or regional level efforts to promote the principles and practices of UDL via professional development or the production and/or dissemination of universally designed instructional materials. Discussion of…

In October 2002, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board adopted a preliminary analysis of the costs and benefits of reaching the first two goals of "Closing the Gaps by 2015," the state's higher education plan. Refinements to the analysis, which adjusted for inflation and made other changes, were presented in January 2003, and the…

The Federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) both emphasize the need for students with disabilities to have appropriate instructional and statewide assessment accommodations to ensure access to the general curriculum and to be included in school, district, and state accountabilities…