Purpose: Primary education (PE) forms the foundation of high-quality education systems, but it is often underestimated. This paper aims to develop and empirically validate a measurement instrument to study the current stage of total quality management (TQM) implementation in PE. Design/methodology/approach: This study developed a seven-dimensional…

Background: There is a growing emphasis of evidence-based program requirements being integrated into social welfare policies for youth care services in the U.S. This trend highlights the need for increased practitioner understanding and involvement in the research process to develop and implement evidence-based programs for youth with emotional…

This article discusses a solution-oriented and incremental approach to solving major social problems. If we are to solve important social problems such as child abuse, delinquency, and illiteracy, researchers need to generate effective programs that can be replicated and social service providers need to implement those programs with fidelity. The…

At Kingsborough Community College in Brooklyn, freshmen were placed in groups of up to 25 who took three classes together during their first semester: an English class, usually at the developmental level; an academic course, such as health or psychology; and a one-credit orientation course. The program also provided enhanced counseling and…

Issues are discussed that arose in the training and implementation of the Advanced Learning Environments Model (an approach to restructuring educational services to accommodate full-time mainstreaming of most mildly handicapped elementary students) at two sites. A brief description of the model and sites is followed by specific issues. (Author/PB)

One of the most difficult challenges to effective substance abuse prevention is finding the right balance between maintaining the fidelity of a science-based model prevention program and promoting adaptation of that program to reflect the circumstances of the community where it is being implemented. This state-of-the-art review, prepared for the…

The first step to meeting the fundamental aim of any educational institution is to understand clearly what the students need. Needs assessment is a tool educators can use to help meet this goal. Needs assessment data suggest the basis for plans, strategies, and practices that may ultimately lead to school improvement. This chapter reviews issues…

Presented are a literature review, model, and case study for effective local program development for gifted and talented students. The model applies the research on educational change and institutional excellence to the task of developing excellent programs for gifted/talented youth in school districts of various types and sizes. (PB)

This study elaborates the "what works?" question by exploring the effects of variability in program implementation quality on achievement. Particularly, the effects on achievement of computerized assessment of reading were investigated, analyzing data on 51,000 students in Grades 1-12 who read over 3 million books. When minimum implementation…

This report describes the findings of a work committee on learning needs and media utilization, which conducted an investigation of: (1) the learning needs that exist at the macrolevel in South Africa in informal, formal, and nonformal education; (2) those needs that can be satisfied by the use of educational radio (ER) and educational television…

For more than a decade, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrations Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) has supported demonstration programs designed to identify interventions that work with high-risk populations to prevent substance abuse, delay its onset, and reduce substance abuse-related behaviors. Research now…

After briefly reviewing some research on the outcomes of mainstreaming, the author presents seven guidelines to the special education teacher for smoothing the mainstreaming process. (SJL)

The paper reviews the origins and applications of cognitive behavior modification (CBM), an approach involving exceptional students in their own behavior change. Contributions to CBM are traced from behavior modification, cognitive psychology, and instructional theory and research. Applications (training self-instruction and problem solving) are…

The article provides an overview of the study skill proficiency (or lack of it) of students with learning disabilities followed by the presentation of 15 study skill strategies. It concludes with a discussion on the implementation of a study skills program including guidelines. (Author/DB)

This chapter of "Principles of School Business Management" provides an overview of the role of computers--and microcomputers in particular--in the school business management process. The chapter opens with a background discussion of the management information system (MIS) concept in general. This topic is examined in terms of the…