A comprehensive thinking skills scope and sequence plan provides three types of information. It identifies the thinking skills and strategies to be learned throughout the curriculum, locates them in the subject areas where they are to be taught, and arranges them in the proper sequence. This article describes basic principles and guidelines for…

Although it is virtually impossible to establish administrative salary schedules that are absolutely equitable and acceptable to all school administrators, school districts can devise fair systems that satisfy most educators if salary programs are based on sound principles, levels are established on a per diem basis, criteria are utilized, and…

Examines the emerging discipline known as life-cycle assessment (LCA) used to evaluate the true environmental impacts of products, materials, or activities from the time raw materials leave the earth until those materials return to their final resting place. (LZ)

"Turning Points" advocates the adoption of some key principles to create a community for learning in middle schools. Educational change literature suggests that good intentions and noble visions are not enough to accomplish this goal. This point, overlooked in the report, is reinforced by examining one principal's frustrated attempts to…

Dispels some discouraging myths about authentic learning's context, mastery, originality, entertainment value, and task complexity. The main point is to let students encounter and master situations that resemble real life, which has its tedious and unengaging moments. Educators should work toward more (rather than complete) authenticity, exploit…

Presents guidelines and strategies for the joint development and subsequent implementation of the individualized education programs (IEPs) and the relationship between special education and vocational education in this process. Three major topical areas are explored: key concepts, IEP development in vocational education, and IEP implementation…

As four recent events in the Denver area show, parents' rights and society's needs sometimes collide, with battles often fought in public schools. This issue should be explicitly recognized in school policy. Policymakers should address disputed facts; develop guidelines for including parents in determining outcomes, solutions, and evaluation…

A shooting incident at a rural Pennsylvania junior high school shocked the district into identifying students most prone to violent behavior. Predictors include low self-esteem, asocial behavior, documented family abuse, resistance to counseling, lack of commitment, and depressive or suicidal behavior. Initiating a caring advisory program is the…

Four principles emerged from 1980s reforms that should guide scaling-up strategies in California and elsewhere. School improvement efforts must be designed to create active, thinking curriculum in specific disciplines; success should be judged by whether increasing numbers of students reach agreed-upon performance goals. Initiatives should be…

In reaffirming "The Declaration of Principles" from a 1995 meeting, the Corporation for National Service and the U.S. Department of Education have pledged their commitment to service as a means of improving schools, enhancing student achievement, and meeting citizenship challenges. Programs exemplifying six service-learning principles…

The United States has about 225,000 to 500,000 homeless children. In 1987, Congress passed a comprehensive law to provide emergency and long-term assistance for homeless persons. Under the Stewart B. McKinney Act, states receive funding to investigate homeless children's needs, identify education obstacles, and develop plans to overcome them. Tips…

A reading specialist provides tips for developing a student publishing center aimed at improving writing skills and involving students in all publishing operations. Steps include assembling a planning team, considering various models, gaining financial assistance, furnishing the center, gathering needed supplies, and launching the program. (MLH)

A complex freestanding optical mark recognition (OMR) scanner is one which is not on-line to an external processor; it has intelligence stemming from an internal processor located within the unit or system. The advantages and disadvantages of a complex OMR can best be assessed after identifying the scanning needs and constraints of the potential…

Teacher self-assessment programs have become increasingly popular with the advent of ideas concerning behavior modification. Several teacher self-assessment studies are reviewed, and guidelines are provided for the development of self-assessment techniques. (JN)

As principals and other administrators increasingly find themselves being held accountable for various school performance measures, they must recognize the deleterious effects of poorly performing teachers and learn to evaluate all teachers more truthfully. Documentation will be effective only if it is honest, straightforward, and complete.…