The focus of this article is a research and development project underway in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The project is Toronto First Duty, reflecting that the "first duty of a state is to see that every child born therein shall be well-housed, clothed, fed, and educated, till it attain years of discretion," according to 19th century…

This final report describes activities and accomplishments of a 3-year federal grant to Michigan that provided technical assistance to parents of children who are deaf-blind and to the Michigan agencies who provide educational, vocational, transitional, early intervention, and related services to children who are deaf-blind. The project involved…

This report examines various vocational rehabilitation models that serve American Indians and Alaska Natives with disabilities, with examples and case studies to demonstrate how the models work in real client-counselor situations. Stressed throughout is the importance of issues of cultural diversity, cultural competency, and self-determination.…

This collection of papers examines instructional environments for students with severe disabilities. It points out that two principles should guide the selection of all instructional environments for all types of learners at all stages of instruction: the environment should be the least restrictive environment possible and it should be the most…

This report presents an evaluation of Florida's College Reach-Out Program (CROP) and data on the 1991-92 cohort of institutions and students which the program serves. CROP is a state-wide program designed to increase the number of students successfully completing postsecondary education by providing disadvantaged students in grades 6 through 12…

The Oklahoma Assistive Technology Center was developed as an interagency collaborative effort, with one of its services being the delivery of positioning and mobility services to young children with developmental disabilities. The Center operates as an outpatient clinic and coordinates outreach services through two satellite centers in rural…

The report details the progress of the Price City (Utah) Library Literacy Project toward achievement of its 12 stated objectives: to (1) train 30 volunteer tutors; (2) match them with students; (3) develop a course at the College of Eastern Utah so college students can receive credit for tutoring adults in reading or English as a Second Language;…

The Ninos Especiales Outreach Training Project was a 3-year federally funded project to provide information, training, and evaluation related to a culturally sensitive, family-focused model of early intervention services for infants with severe disabilities and their families of Puerto Rican heritage. Implementation occurred through three major…

This conference summary contains 36 presentations. Participants' comments, taken from response cards, are quoted throughout. Presentations from the Opening Plenary include a keynote address--"What Is Literacy?: Critical Issues for the Next Decade" (John Ryan) and four "Panelist Presentations" (Francis Kazemek, Lorraine Fox,…

Thirty-eight projects designed to improve educational opportunities of rural Queensland children were initiated in 1977 and funded through the Disadvantaged Schools Program; the program was renamed the Country Area Program and made a permanent School Commission program in 1982. The program resulted from a 1977-79 Schools Commission report…

Educational accomplishments of the People's Republic of China have been achieved by emphasis on moral, intellectual, and physical development of every individual, and on schooling combined with and in preparation for productive labor. Open-door schooling combines in-school learning with out-of-school practice, so students learn about life and work…

A project was undertaken at Brevard Community College in Florida to provide special placement and followup assistance to persons entering nontraditional occupations. Included among the major project activities were the following: efforts to raise the consciousness of women about opportunities in nontraditional careers through a seminar on…

The concept of the school as community encompasses two distinct relationships: the school/extended community and the internal school community. As social needs and conditions change, so does the school role in the community. Topics covered in this book include benefits of collaboration between the external community and the school, the creation of…

The Drug-Free School Recognition Program is a competitive evaluation and award program that acknowledges those public and private elementary and secondary schools with successful substance abuse prevention or reduction programs. Strategies and activities utilized by the 47 winning schools, which underwent an extensive nomination and review…

Using the school-community council as a vehicle, this manual leads school staffs, parents, community representatives, and school council members step-by-step through suggested tasks to strengthen schools and to help restore confidence in the public school system. Chapter 1, "Schools and Communities Working Together: A Rationale," defines…