Shares several writing program administrators' observations on selecting and changing course names, job titles, and program terminology. Considers the psychological and social dimensions that lend power to the act of naming. Draws generalizations about the developing discipline of composition. (RS)

Focuses on ways the dominance of large-school culture within more recent WPA (Writing Program Administrator) record has resulted in over-valorizing of power as a tool for the WPA. Argues that this over-valuation has led to inexact description of the concept of WPA power in the record and, as importantly, has overshadowed other political…

A high school teacher describes efforts to develop a comprehensive gifted education program while recognizing political realities. The program emphasized use of before-school and after-school periods rather than pull-out, addressed the burdens rather than blessings of high capability, focused on the underachieving gifted, and tried to avoid…

Describes how the English department at Willamette University set out to revise the English curriculum as a participant in the MLA-FIPSE English Programs Curriculum Review Project. Shows how the faculty redesigned the curriculum, and shares three important ideas that might be useful to other departments undertaking similar changes. (HB)

Offers points for consideration by both school boards and charter-school advocates. Important elements of a successful charter school include vision, hands-on administrators, a commitment to staff development, and founders who also serve as maintainers. (LMI)

Describes the development of a program that incorporates materials for 8 productions with an interest in: opening the doors to theatre by using dramatic working materials; building a bridge between the education institution and the art institution; and expanding educational understanding and repertoire by learning art production processes. (SC)

Describes how the English department at Roger Williams University set out to revise and revive the English major under difficult circumstances during the 1988-89 school year. Shows how the faculty redesigned the curriculum, recruited new majors, and established support programs. (HB)

This paper assesses the current status and problems of the National Diffusion Network (NDN), a federally funded endeavor established to enable developers of educational programs to provide evidence that their programs improve student outcomes; and to disseminate their programs nationwide through a network of state facilitators. The study discusses…

Describes how English department chairs might successfully order and structure their departments. Analyzes two central characteristics of English departments as political entities: purpose and values. Lists several observations about departmental organization. (HB)

Delineates strategic steps for conducting successful tax election campaigns drawing from the experience of Henderson County Junior College, Texas. Focuses on ways of determining the nature, direction, and strategies of the campaign; campaign leadership and volunteer recruitment; personal contacts; and publicity techniques. (DMM)

Describes how the English department at Western Washington University set out to revise the English curriculum as a participant in the MLA-FIPSE English Programs Curriculum Review Project. Shows how the faculty redesigned the curriculum, and asks tough questions concerning the best way to undertake such changes. (HB)

Argues that the abolishment of the Disadvantaged Schools Program (DSP) in South Australia represented a shift away from a focus on the social to the individual, from curriculum to instruction, from school-based inquiry and teacher research to expert solutions, and from various contexted and contested outcomes to a singular and simplistic version…

This book provides a brief historical review of outcomes assessment in higher education and a general guide to designing, implementing, and evaluating assessment programs. Chapter 1 provides several definitions of commonly used terms and a review of the major actors and the political context. It identifies factors contributing to the recent push…

The new literacy goes beyond the requirements for a high school diploma, including capacities once demanded only of a privileged, college-bound elite. This book concerns this new, higher literacy and whether current educational restructuring efforts are likely to foster such literacy in all students. The study used informal interviewing techniques…

Suggestions are presented on mainstreaming women's studies in the traditional curriculum. Directors of 17 curriculum projects involved in integrating materials on women into the college curriculum participated in a 3-day conference (Princeton, New Jersey, August 27-30, 1981). The material in the handbook is drawn from the experience of these…