Search

The University of Guam has been involved in providing post‐secondary educational services to Micronesia since 1965. In 1985 in order to expand its course offerings, provide year round educational service to its Micronesian clients, and to reduce costs, the University began experimenting with ‘low tech’ distance education delivery systems and technology. Since that time the University has developed an experimental distance education model and demonstrated significant cost savings through the utilization of distance education techniques. Distance education has the potential of making a major impact on the educational and socio‐cultural systems of Micronesia. (An earlier version of this paper was presented at PTC‐90, Best, 1990.)

Although PL 94–142 has applied to Micronesia since its passage, there remains a great void throughout the islands in the provision of services to persons with communicative disorders. It is probably the most underserved region within the jurisdiction of PL 94–142. There is evidence of a greater need for services than in other populations of similar size. Isolated, population-density islands, with diverse cultures and many languages, create tremendous obstacles in the delivery of services. Resource limitations in the region further restrict the potential availability of services. A model is presented for providing an initial level of services to the region over the next two decades.