In view of the serious challenges facing college and university administrators, it is encouraging to note the increased interest in improving leadership knowledge and skills. This book presents an additional option to college and university administrators in their efforts to enhance their leadership skills. The case study approach to improving…

"Breaking Ranks II" and "Breaking Ranks in the Middle" both call for students to master "academically rigorous essential learnings" that have been established by the school, and students need a strong foundation in reading and writing if this is to happen. There is no doubt that literacy instruction in the early grades is an essential beginning,…

Smooth early childhood transitions are key to ensuring positive outcomes for young children the world over--but in today's fragmented early education systems, it's difficult to ensure continuity among programs and services. Early childhood professionals will help change that with this book, the first to propose a comprehensive, practical framework…

This article reviews Sherry Turkle's book, "The Second Self: Computers and the Human Spirit," which explores the subjective impact of the computer on children, adults, and our consciousness and culture in general. Two references are provided. (DCS)

Principals in today's schools face a wide range of requests and demands from a variety of sources that are often conflicting. There are government mandates, rules and regulations such as No Child Left Behind (NCLB), and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). There are state rules and regulations for program review, curriculum…

Reports results of a study which compared the treatment of selected characteristics of the reviewing literature of management in professional and trade journals. The characteristics examined included lag time, review length, descriptive or analytic nature of reviews, positive or negative evaluations, and affiliation of the reviewer. (CLB)

Summarizes Meira Levinson's argument that parental choice by and large reduces autonomy and, therefore, ultimately reduces the liberty of each succeeding generation. Recommends that all public educators read this book to grasp the magnitude of the potential effects that privatization of education may have on liberty and choice of future…

The "Handbook of Research on Social Studies Teaching and Learning," a project sponsored by the National Council for the Social Studies, contains 53 chapters that cover a wide variety of topics of interest to principals. (MLF)

The editors of "The American School Board Journal" pick 13 titles noted briefly that represent what they consider the most important, most interesting, most controversial books about children and schools to hit the bookstores this past year. Lists ordering information to obtain a 20% discount from the School Leaders' Book Service. (MLF)

Authors David L. Gray and Agnes E. Smith have written a book of cases to give prospective school leaders opportunities to resolve complex issues in K-12 school settings through reflective questions, activities, and authentic assessment tools for skill development. "Case Studies in 21st Century School Administration" presents thought-provoking case…

Discusses the need for reference librarians to learn reference materials well enough to be able to review materials and correctly refer patrons to information sources. The review process is outlined and some evaluation of current reference services is provided. (CLB)

Each issue in this set of newsletters is devoted exclusively to reviews of a science textbook. Each text is reviewed by two scientists and one science educator. Textbooks reviewed by issue are: (1) "Scott, Foresman Biology" (1988); (2) "Heath Life Science" (1987); (3) "Prentice-Hall Biology" (1987); (4) "Scott, Foresman Life Science" (1987); (5)…

A review is provided of "Literacy in the Open-Access College," by Richardson, Fisk, and Okum, from the perspective of community college practitioners involved in curriculum reform. First, introductory information is presented about "Literacy in the Open-Access College," an analysis based on a 3-year ethnographic study of a…

Three authors respond to the findings of a study by Griffiths and King, which was contracted by the Department of Education to identify the professional competencies that should be encompassed by library and information science programs, and the methods by which the competencies' relation to professional performance may be evaluated. (CLB)

Sally Helgesen's book, "The Female Advantage: Women's Ways of Leadership," is reviewed. The book was based on a survey of women concerning leadership and addresses gender differences in management and leadership styles; management as a circular process; group communication; and leader roles. (MSE)