The purpose of this study was to determine cognitive correlates of olfactory performance across three different tasks. A total of 170 men and women (30-87 years of age) were assessed in olfactory sensitivity, discrimination, and identification. Also, participants were tested in a range of cognitive tests covering executive functioning, semantic memory, and episodic memory. Hierarchical regression analyses showed that proficiency in executive functioning and semantic memory contributed significantly to odor discrimination and identification performance, whereas all of the cognitive factors proved unrelated to performance in the odor threshold test. This pattern of outcome suggests that an individual's cognitive profile exerts a reliable influence on performance in higher order olfactory tasks.

This study examined the validity of one state's alternate assessment portfolio system using the American Educational Research Association, American Psychological Association, and National Council on Measurement in Education's Standards for Psychological and Educational Testing. The results indicate serious shortcomings in the evidence for content, response process, and structural validity. Options for improving the validity of the assessment system are provided, and the implications of our findings are discussed in the context of standards-based reform.

In 1991In -1992 Research and Training Center on Rural Rehabilitation (RTC: Rural) evaluated 45 state vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies' policies and procedures regarding self-employment for people with disabilities. Based on this analysis, researchers developed and broadly disseminated a model VR self-employment policy. In 2002, RTC: Rural investigated state policies again to see how they had changed. This article reports the results of that investigation. Overall, current policies are much more positive toward self-employment than previous ones. The number of model policy components addressed has increased from an average of 3.7 components to an average of 6.6 components. Many agencies have developed self-employment programs and published manuals specifically for counselors. The article concludes with policy recommendations and suggests areas for future research.

The operation and funding of federal and state offices of vocational rehabilitation (VR) are governed by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Under the Rehabilitation Act, an individual can work toward the goal of attaining one of a range of employment options, including self-employment. While federal law appears not to favor one type of employment situation over another, self employment as a VR closure is not used as often as might be expected. Although self-employment is not an often used VR option, it may be an important one for people living in rural locations where employers and jobs are scarce, wages are low, and the jobs that are available often require physical effort. This article describes an analysis of state policies governing the use of self-employment as a VR option. Results show a wide range of policies and suggest a framework for a comprehensive policy and procedures for governing the use of self-employment as a VR closure.

Overall, health data indicated that the Working Well program may be particularly helpful to VR clients with higher rates of secondary health conditions and may represent one strategy for overcoming barriers to employment.