The School of Management (SOM) at Union Graduate College (UGC) used student trajectories to forecast both individual course and total enrollments within and across various student categories. (The term "trajectory" refers to the enrollment pattern of the average student in a particular category.) The trajectories and the resultant…

"Schools' First and Forever Responders: Preparing and Supporting Teachers in the Time of COVID-19" elevates a rationale and considerations for evidence-based strategies and innovative approaches to support teachers and teacher candidates during and following the COVID-19 crisis. Because teachers are the most vital in-school education…

This is one of nine case studies that examine and document districts' uses, applications, and perceptions of the Future Ready Schools (FRS) professional learning resources in their efforts to become Future Ready. Topeka Public Schools is located in northeast Kansas and serves students in grades Prekindergarten through 12. The student population is…

Teacher preparation programs nationwide struggle to meet rigorous national standards, particularly as they relate to the assessment standard of the National Council of Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). There are many issues which make decisions about program improvement complex, often confusing and frustrating faculty. These include the…

Outlines an approach for preparing and using futures scenarios that has been successful in the formulation of long-range plans and policies. How to construct a scenario and how to draw implications from the scenarios are discussed. (AM)

This article is about how information is gathered in organizations to make decisions. There is actually a long history in economics on this topic, called the "economics of information," but this is a bare beginning on the topic for libraries, suggesting only a few patterns from observation and a few literatures that might help with the challenge.…

Briefly summarizes topics discussed at the annual conference of the Canadian Library Association, including the goals and objectives of the organization, the findings of a commission which examined the decision making processes of the association, and the establishment of a task force to review association publications. (CLB)

A model of proactive planning is presented in this paper which incorporates the latest research findings related to: (1) environmental scanning (external); (2) long-range planning (internal); (3) strategic planning; and (4) educational management. Proactive planning as it occurs in the private sector is analyzed and valuable lessons which can be…

In order to provide flexibility in mid-range financial planning in higher education institutions, a predictive modular decision-making model is prepared. Simple computational procedure and a small external information requirement will enable small institutions to utilize the model. (Author/MLW)

The strategic but flexible approach adopted by the South Australian College of Advanced Education in developing a long-range institutional plan is outlined. The approach was characterized by a five-stage process and the use of a seminar of senior college managers to generate commitment, build consensus, and clarify procedures. (MSE)

On Feb. 6, 1961, the Board of Trustees of Michigan State University declared that MSU was "in a state of financial crisis". The development and implementation of long-range planning at Michigan State since the crisis is discussed. (MLW)

Issues management, concerned with the identification, analysis, probability, and timing of a developing issue and with organizational response, is discussed as an aspect of the institutional strategic planning process. Its application at Pennsylvania State University is described. (Author/MSE)

Offers insights on the use of the charrette for long-range planning, drawing from the experience of the Virginia Community College System (VCCS). Defines charrettes, explains their benefits and limitations, lists requirements for successful charrettes, and explains the process used by the VCCS to incorporate the charrette into long-range planning.…

Cross-impact analysis is a recent innovation in the field of futures research. Its main purpose is to allow planning groups to consider the mutual interactive effects of related forecasts, trends, or events in a systematic way so that planning can be more effective. (JN)

Many universities are implementing comprehensive long-range planning to help them make decisions today that are consistent with the institution's ambitions for tomorrow. What planning is, why planning should be done, and what a good plan includes are explored. A model for long-range planning is proposed. (MLW)