Argues that understanding of five major dimensions of normal child development can be useful for those who work with special children: child development theories, norms, research models, intervention models, and communication techniques. (RH)

Describes steps taken by Lake Washington School District in Kirkland (Washington) in acquiring microcomputers, including (1) doing preliminary research, (2) forming a steering committee, (3) attending a conference on educational data systems, (4) defining 10 objectives for a computer awareness program, and (5) launching the program in three pilot…

Discusses needs assessment as a problem-focusing strategy and examines several definitions of need. Considers five purposes for assessing needs, and presents six guiding principles for the work of a needs assessment team. (RC)

Presents a systematic and disciplined approach to planning for the development and implementation of an information system which will collect, store, maintain, and report human resources data. Discusses guidelines, priorities, training requirements, security, auditing, interface with payroll, and personnel reporting. (CT)

Recommendations useful to individuals considering or planning the development of a computer based instruction project in higher education are given. Covers a variety of planning aspects, ranging from types of staff needed, on-the-job training, and the need for a funded planning and recruitment phase. (RAO)

Summer programs of vocational agriculture can be both effective and accountable if they are well planned, placed into action, and publicized. Written plans should contain a daily list of activities. The effectiveness of the program will depend upon the efforts of the teacher. Public relations should continue into the summer months. (LRA)

A junior high reading teacher explains how she got teachers and students involved in a daily school-wide reading period. (SJL)

A ten-step approach is presented by which two teachers can implement their own team teaching arrangement. Advantages, disadvantages, planning, scheduling, and room design are considered. (SJL)

Outlines the major elements involved in a continuing environmental education program based on results of efforts to plan and institute land use education programs in Connecticut: the primary audiences should be local government decision makers, land managers, developers, and owners; programs should be continual and periodically updated; and close…

Service learning helps students develop skills such as creative problem solving, effective communication, decision making, and information synthesis. A recent report found that service-learning participants scored significantly higher on measures of personal and social responsibility, acceptance of cultural diversity, and service leadership.…

Describes the SPARCS (Solving Problems and Revitalizing Curriculum in Science) program, an interdisciplinary partnership between University of Nebraska-Lincoln students and faculty and Omaha Public Schools science teachers and administrators. Success depended on establishing long-term, diverse partnerships; providing a learning community for…

Presents the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) plan for national guidelines and standards in school libraries. Provides a template and applies the planning model, using the National Association of Secondary School Principals example. Outlines planning and implementation objectives, and discusses strategies, communication tools, and…

Presents a framework to guide evaluation activities for school and community programs that attempt to improve career development outcomes for students K-16. Discusses three essential components to this framework: a comprehensive career development model for students; a framework to identify post-high school outcomes; and a program evaluation…

This article presents a matchmaking management strategy and guidelines from a school- and university-based mentoring program. Two community-based mentor projects implemented by the Wisconsin Center for Academically Talented Youth are shared. Student reports from the program demonstrate that the long-term benefits to gifted students are…

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now categorizes skin cancer as epidemic. Nearly 90% of these deadly cancers start from sun exposure during the childhood years. This makes sun exposure in school-age children a serious public health risk, also one that school nurses can address. Solar radiation is now classified as a "known…