The Delaware experience shows that staff development can be a positive force for change in schools, that principals can be effective facilitators for staff development, and that teacher involvement in training, discussion, and observation will help foster collegiality and acceptance of change. Includes 13 references. (MLH)

From the demise of numerous "New Social Studies" programs initiated 25 years ago have sprung some guidelines for revising curricula and promoting educational change. Some lessons: Avoid too many course offerings, involve teachers in early stages of projects, and design programs to meet major goals. Above all, such programs need to be relevant to…

Describes a case study method to determine the effects of the Carl D. Perkins Act at both the state and local level in Texas. Assesses these effects within the context of the state's major reform movement. Provides examples of vocational education delivery over a two-year period, summarizing mixed results. Includes four references. (MLH)

Neither hyperrationalist nor decentralist reform strategies will seriously improve educational quality. Successful reform strategies incorporate three dimensions: the authorized movement, regional or localist responses, and conversation, involving changes in school rhetoric. States must create a context for developing organizational competence at…

All 12 Canadian provincial/territorial coordinators of technology education/industrial arts responded to a survey. Nine reported a name change; 70% had adequate funds for curriculum development, but over 50% believed facility planning, retraining, and research were inadequately funded. Limited support for technology education came from local…

School administrators must determine that change objectives are met and positively influence students, teachers, staff, and community. Principals who include entire staff in all change phases will increase teacher confidence and trust. Encouraging parents to be involved in committee work will give them the same feelings of ownership that teachers…

Since 1983, funding for improving math and science education has improved dramatically. This article explains three major reform programs: Project 2061, sponsored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science; Scope, Sequence, and Coordination, sponsored by the National Science Teachers Association; and Science/Technology/Society,…

In many countries, education legislation embodies contradictory pressures for centralization and decentralization. In the United Kingdom, there is growing government control over policy and direction of schools; schools are also being given more responsibility for resource management. "Moving" schools within Improving the Quality of…

Whether organizational and curricular changes introduced through restructuring endure and/or result in long-term benefits for students and teachers is hard to determine. Using a longitudinal case study of a restructured high school, this paper argues that the dynamics of "institutionalization" and "renewal" drawn from earlier…

In a community college marketing education program, students assumed responsibility for their learning and their grades. Using the program developed by the Marketing Education Resource Center (MarkED), outcomes and objectives were determined and the class schedule was reorganized. Results show that students work at a higher performance level and…

Presents a matrix-continuum of systemic change defining six developmental stages (old system maintenance, awareness, exploration, transition, emerging new infrastructure, and predominating new system) and six key change elements (vision, public and political support, networking, teaching and learning changes, administrative roles and…

Examines the benefits and the limitations of educational reform literature as applied to implementing collaborative services. A practical, research-based strategy for developing collaborative relationships includes getting started, developing a community collaborative council, identifying a shared vision and goals, conducting a needs assessment,…

Implementation of the Illinois Plan for Industrial Technology Education was assessed through interviews with 117 teachers. The assessment model (based on Stufflebeam's Context, Input, Process, Product) blended qualitative and quantitative information. Six key dimensions of change were identified, and the Transition Assessment Inventory proved…

Examined the political rise and fall of the Louisiana Teacher Evaluation Program (LATEP), the centerpiece of the state's educational reform efforts. Study findings suggest that the political problems encountered by LATEP arose from competing program theories and competing implementation theories. Findings underscore the pitfalls associated with…

Summarizes results of a 1997 survey of state and local Title I educators who are implementing the 1994 Title I reauthorization. Data indicate that the five major themes have been implemented. Results are compared to the previous year's survey and recommendations are offered for future research areas and future funding allocations. (MMU)