People who care about young people are aware of the serious problems caused by underage alcohol use. They should also be aware that there are many effective strategies for reducing underage drinking, and every state and community should be using these strategies. The "Guide to Conducting Youth Surveys" provides information about one important tool…

The Committee on Retirement of the American Association of University Professors initiated its first retirement policies survey in 2000 to address a lack of reliable and systematically collected information on retirement policies and practices across U.S. institutions of higher education. At the end of the 1990s, there was a sense that…

Background: The outcomes of a pilot program of staff development in communication support in the context of observed changes in student behaviour states and interactive abilities are reported. Participant reports about the impact of the program on their professional practices are included. Method: Six teachers and six teacher aides in special…

This report describes the Teacher Work Group Project to help teachers of students with severe disabilities learn about new teaching practices and implement them in the classroom. Teacher Work Groups (TWGs) were formed at week-long summer institutes and the groups subsequently met during the school year to apply the strategies and learning in the…

This practicum developed and implemented an organization development plan to improve agency and team effectiveness and staff satisfaction at a private agency that provides educational and treatment services to children with emotional, mental, or behavioral disorders. An extensive literature review on organizational development was conducted and…

Increasing attention to mentoring in the teaching profession in recent years has been accompanied by a proliferation of programs, literature and expertise related to experienced teachers helping new teachers. To assess the extent to which there is a common set of functions performed by teacher mentors, a two-phase study of mentoring was…

This feasibility study sought to determine the need and the appropriateness of a self-contained training package which would help existing leadership programs integrate youth with disabilities into their services. The study involved a review of the literature; interviews with 19 experts and practitioners; focus group discussions to solicit student…

This practicum was designed so that high school seniors would have the opportunity to apply for and receive scholarships to further their education. A strategic plan was organized to increase the awareness of the available scholarships, grants, and financial aid of high school seniors. Activities included: soliciting business donations; publishing…

This project was designed to solicit parental perceptions of Caroline Street Elementary School (Saratoga Springs, New York) in terms of Effective Schools, a method of assessing school improvement. Families (n=334) were asked to provide their perceptions regarding correlational characteristics identified as vital to successful school programs:…

Exploring the problem of high turnover rates for counselors at a therapeutic camp reveals that low job satisfaction--specifically lack of advancement and educational opportunities--is one frequent factor influencing resignation. This study examines the possibility of increasing agency support of personal advancement by creating individual…

The National Science Foundation's Undergraduate Faculty Enhancement Program (UFEP) awards grants on a competitive basis to project directors at colleges and universities, professional societies, industry, and other qualified organizations to conduct regional or national seminars, short courses, workshops, conferences, or similar activities for…

School choice is an issue that has created much dissension among citizens, policy makers, and educators, with proponents on either side of the issue claiming a commitment to the improvement of education. Consequently, the teachers of the future are finding it necessary to clarify their own views regarding the choice controversy. The purposes of…

As part of a review of its Psychology department, William Rainey Harper College in Illinois conducted a study of 400 students who had taken at least 3 courses in the department from fall 1989 to fall 1993. Questionnaires were sent to the students in spring 1995, requesting information on their perceptions of the effectiveness of courses in the…

In fall 1995, William Rainey Harper College in Illinois conducted a study of former students in the Materials/Logistics Management (MLM) program to determine their evaluation of their educational experiences in the program. The sample consisted of 298 former MLM students from 1990 to 1995, including 119 students who had earned 48 credit hours but…

As part of a review of its Information Center, Facilities Rental and Reservation Center, and Computerized Area List and Labels System (CALLS), William Rainey Harper College (WRHC), in Illinois, conducted a survey of staff and students to determine their perceptions of the quality of these services. Surveys were distributed to a sample of 300…