Curriculum planning must be a continual process if the program is to remain responsive to changes in society, the learner, and the most recent scholarship in the various fields. Strategic planning affords a context for increasing the probability of a systematic approach to responding to each of these key elements. (Author)

A framework for strategic planning within academic departments is outlined. Elements include analyzing the strategic situation of all constituencies (department, institution, competitors, students, student employers), development of mission statement and departmental objectives, development of strategic market-target and curriculum options,…

Reporting on results from a survey of school improvement programs, the author points out that the majority of such programs concentrate on curriculum and instruction. While programs differ, their goals are often similar, and many do not require additional funding. (MD)

To gather information for Maui Community College's (MCC's), on the Multi-Ethnic Island of Lana'i. fall 1992 of students and residents of the island of Lana'i to assess community interests and educational needs. Responses were received from 232 Lana'i residents, of whom 49% were current or former students, 31% were male, and 84% were employed.…

This report presents an analysis of the issues influencing the preparation of physicians in the United States and recommends changes in teaching programs. Findings and associated recommendations are organized into eight areas: (1) understanding the system in which health care is delivered; (2) establishing practical and relevant teaching sites;…

This paper suggests that higher education's response to declining resources (budget cuts, program eliminations, retrenchment, reallocation, curriculum reform) may seem chaotic to faculty but are not confused, short-term measures that will disappear as the economy recovers. Union tactics or other responses that are merely reactive and depend on…

In March 1983, a group of professional personnel, under the direction and leadership of the Utah State Office of Education conducted an evaluation of the teacher education program at Southern Utah State College. The report of the on-site evaluation team is presented in this document. The report includes program descriptions, commendations, and…

Five research studies on teacher planning are reviewed to discover how basic descriptive research can inform the practice. Seven findings are discussed: (1) Planning is important to teachers and generally invisible to everyone else; (2) Planning differs in practice from traditional prescriptions for planning; (3) Planning during the first weeks of…

This report examines the lessons emerging from the experiences of 19 residential colleges and universities that received grants as part of the Ford Foundations's Campus Diversity Initiative to implement institutional change with regards to the issue of inequalities and exclusions existing in the nation and on its campuses. After an introductory…

The state initiatives described in this report are geared toward meeting the national education goals. Although they vary considerably, the initiatives emphasize the importance of establishing high-level goals and standards applicable to all students and providing local flexibility in exchange for accountability. Many initiatives involve: (1)…

A 2003 survey of principals found that middle and high schools were more likely to increase social studies and science instruction than decrease it. This suggests that districts are not cutting social studies and sciences entirely but merely "deferring" those subjects until the secondary grades. This strategy provides more time for reading…

Thoughts of college student protests during the late 1960's and early 1970's often ignite memories of demonstrations against the Vietnam War. Stories of college student activism during the these years underplay the Civil Rights focus of African American students that preceded and paralleled the more salient Vietnam War protests. Less attention in…

Lessons learned while reforming the core curriculum at the College of Saint Catherine (Minnesota) are outlined, including: broad ownership of the curriculum by faculty is essential; sometimes curriculum issues are more about faculty than students; a means for arriving at consensus must be devised; planning should take the curriculum through its…

This document, prepared by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, presents six policy recommendations and implementation strategies to state and higher education leaders. This agenda for the 21st century is suggested to help higher education serve the needs of a multicultural society in a global and technologically oriented…

Chief executive officers of school districts and facility planners must assume the role of change agent to meet the information needs of the 21st century. Public school learning, which will serve more groupings of people on a continual basis, will be disseminated through media learning centers. Management should follow six steps in planning…