School libraries are changing. Since 1988, Library Power, a $40 million program sponsored by the DeWitt Wallace Reader's Digest fund, has helped 700 elementary- and middle-school libraries in 19 communities improve collections, refurbish facilities, develop curriculum, and provide technical training for school personnel. (MLH)

Describes staff development components for veteran and beginning teachers planning to teach in blocked classes. Teachers need training and practice in information-sharing methods, learning-theory applications, assessment strategies, student mastery, curriculum mapping and integration, classroom organization, and lesson development. Block…

Compares achievement of students attending a large Florida high school under a traditional schedule during 1993-94 and a trimester block schedule during the following year. Passing grades have gone up 3.7%. Regarding Scholastic Aptitude Test and American College Testing results, there was no significant difference. Teachers, students, parents, and…

Various elements of the Runnymede (England) Adult Education Institute's Flexistudy program are explored. They include student characteristics, academic achievement, tutor/student relationship, financial arrangements, and administrative organization. (CT)

A study of British Columbia high schools found that block scheduling can endanger mathematics achievement. Reduced math scores were attributed to irregular planning time, little opportunity to modify curriculum; and the provincial examination system. Longer time blocks cannot succeed without adequate planning time, curricular restructuring, and…

Takes a constructive view of administrative preparation courses in Australia. Describes recent course restructuring at the University of New South Wales, showing efforts to make studies relevant, stimulating, and appealing for today's administrators. Discusses necessary review procedures and focus on instituting new program content, meeting…

Provides evaluation snapshots of nine programs operated by the Chesapeake (Virginia) Public Schools to illustrate the importance of ongoing program assessment. Advises evaluators to use teamwork, employ a full-time evaluator, utilize consultants as needed, write annual management plans, involve school division administrators, and meet regularly.…

Describes changes brought about by a Library Power initiative at an inner city magnet school in Chattanooga (Tennessee). Highlights include: Library Power beliefs; collaborative planning between the library media specialist and teachers; the new role of the library media specialist as an information specialist, teacher, and instructional…

Documents the process of exploring the Reggio Emilia approach in Head Start classrooms in Iowa. Describes areas of exploration, including revising the classroom environments and daily schedules, using more documentation, instituting child-initiated projects, and collaborating on a deeper level with colleagues. Includes excerpts from children's…

A brief description of programs providing school-age care in the Philadelphia School District is provided (the text of a 1984 School Age Child Care Conference presentation). Appended to the speech text is a technical summary of the 1982-83 program evaluation of one such program: the Child Care Program. Descriptive material provided in the…

Because the primary years are the point where specific changes are required in teaching practice and school organization, a task force examined Kentucky's primary program through school visits, interviews, expert testimony, and research. The last three years have shown marked improvement in student performance in the basics (reading, writing, and…

Over the past 30 years, Florida's 500 middle schools have become more sizeable, racially segregated, and security conscious. Other features include interdisciplinary team organization, warring curricula, block schedules, integrated technology, inclusion, ability grouping, corporate practices, and female and minority principals committed to…

This report summarizes the three-part Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) conducted by the Instructional Division of Chemeketa Community College from August, 1977 to June, 1979. Results of the first stage, a needs assessment completed in 1978, are summarized in terms of limitations and additional information needed, alternative strategies, and…