Two studies found that the "First Step to Success" early-intervention program for at-risk kindergartners could be replicated successfully, that educators who participated in the First Step training sessions rated the quality of the training highly, and that about half of those trained actually went on to implement the program. (Author/CR)

An ethnographic study of a principal heading an inclusive elementary school showed that a supportive environment for critique encourages teacher autonomy, risk taking, and consideration of alternative implementation frameworks. Creating a democratic environment coalesces staff. Principal behaviors are undergirded by a spirituality grounded in…

A study conducted in an Illinois metropolitan school district explored four dimensions of school-based management implementation: school leadership, school climate, student achievement, and community involvement. Survey data from 176 teachers, 42 parents, and 6 administrators revealed that length of program involvement positively influenced…

Profiles the shifting view of an effective literacy program for the middle years. Discusses results of a teacher survey that explored the gaps between this evolving view of effective middle years literacy programs and teachers' perceptions of their current practice. Concludes with a model of teacher support to bridge the gap between current and…

A randomized survey of Kentucky college and university faculty showed they were more familiar with the Kentucky Education Reform Act's goals than with assessment or accountability issues. Most support restructuring goals but do not believe that KERA-educated students will be better prepared to enter their institutions than formerly. KERA has not…

A study involving two vocational-technical high schools, four high schools, and an alternative program for middle and high school students, investigated factors affecting implementation and sustainability of self-determination activities within the schools. The importance of engaging general educators in dialogue about the self-determination…

Interviews with 15 families of young children with disabilities and 14 professionals working with them indicated that professionals have an understanding of the change in focus from child-centered to family-centered intervention; however there was some incongruence between family-centered attitudes and actual practice. Families expressed overall…

Discusses the history and purpose of the case study method used to stimulate in-class discussion. Advocates the use of the guided case study method to ensure that substantive discussions take place and provides nine steps for using the method. Includes a sample case study worksheet. (11 citations) (BCY)

Examines how a learner-centered Montessori school in Toronto, Ontario, defines, specifies, and implements its management decision-support system. Findings indicate a tightly integrated management system comprised of a few student-focused decision-support elements. Identifies relationships, resources, and particular organizational arrangements as…

Studied the extent of use and usefulness of "Turn Your School Round," a behavior management package aimed at promoting discipline, learning respect, and responsibility for one's actions. Found that almost half of 83 schools responding used the program or one of its components; success was reported more among schools using entire program…

In this paper, we explore whether the specific design of a state's program has contributed to its success in meeting two objectives of the Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP): increasing the health insurance coverage of children in lower-income families and doing so with a minimum reduction in their private health insurance coverage…

The role of the speech-language pathologist (SLP) has developed considerably over the last 10 years given the medical and technological advances in life-sustaining procedures. Over time, children born with congenital, surgical, or "medically fragile" conditions have become mainstreamed into regular school-based settings, thus extending…

To address asthma in the state, in October 2000, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and the American Lung Association of Texas held a joint meeting of asthma professionals from across the state, with a primary purpose of identifying major issues and potential strategies and actions to be taken. These discussions became the basis…

Purpose: To provide a general list of factors that affects and determines the full use of library information management systems (LIMS) by library staff. Design/methodology/approach: The factors, which were identified mainly during participation in the implementation of automation projects in Greece, are listed and briefly analysed in categories…

This article describes research on the quality of a computer program designed to help secondary level science teachers in southern Africa create exemplary paper-based lesson materials. Results of this study show that the content, support, and interface of the program combine to form a tool that is considered by both users and experts to be valid…