Examines the organization of quality circles in Italy, the training aspect of these quality circles, and advantages and limitations of quality circles. For successful circles, the author recommends a feasibility study by qualified consultants, an experimental pilot project confined to certain parts of the company, and a fully informed management.…

The author suggests that training program developers be upfront about the training purpose, be sure the training creates a positive experience for trainees, consider not only what happens during the training, but what occurs before and after, and ensure that program content is something the trainees will choose to put into practice. (CT)

Fourteen Down's Syndrome children (24-36 months) received systematic language training based upon the Environmental Language Intervention Program. Results indicated substantial gains in language functioning and several significant correlations between cognitive and sensorimotor status at the beginning of intervention and level of language…

Evaluated the effectiveness of a faculty-student interaction project in a residence center, using data collected from students (N=170), faculty (N=8), and residence staff (N=21) in the fall and spring. Results showed the project did not have an appreciably positive influence on students, but did generate considerable positive public relations.…

The article describes a management system used in a secondary resource program for exceptional students that incorporates a clinical teaching model, task analysis, and the use of management objectives to provide individualized services. Five-year evaluation data reveal increased completion of assignments, decreased teacher preparation, and a more…

Evaluation of the school-based, collaborative inservice program implemented by 10 elementary schools in Jefferson County, Kentucky, indicates that ideal conditions are not essential to school improvement. Based on the effective schools research model, the project also provided evidence that local schools will adopt successful programs after pilot…

Investigated systematic problem solving with 52 elementary school students. The experimental group (N=26) received Galvin Alternative Intervention Network (GAIN) training. Results indicated the GAIN program was effective in facilitating problem solving. Students' responses were unique and constituted creative behavior. (JAC)

Examines the effects of an extra five minutes of interaction on the psychomotor and mental development of Iranian infant orphans largely deprived of opportunities to interact with caretakers and peers. Daily intervention continued for six weeks; effects were assessed after a 6-month interval. (RH)

Forty-five children with various handicaps, aged 3-15, were screened for motor delays and assigned to therapy with occupational or physical therapists. Results were that developmental therapy affected gross motor gains in preschool children with moderate delays, and that one treatment per week was effective. (Authors)

The responsibility of connecting theory and practice when developing physical education units falls on the teacher rather than on the theorist. The teacher is most familiar with the students and environment where the program takes place. Suggestions for connecting theory and practice are discussed. (DF)

An evaluation approach to study the success of management development programs is presented. The evaluation is based on an analysis of the relationship between program success, program staffing, and four participant characteristics which might interact with perceptions of course favorability; age, education, years with the organization, and reason…

The training departments that need consultant help the most often are the least likely to hire it, because they do not realize the time and money outside consultants can save. Training directors are advised on how to increase training value by effective management of the relationship with outside consultants. (Author/AJ)

Creating and sharing a common vision is a critical element for the success of afterschool programs. This tool is intended to help the growing number of new afterschool partnerships create a shared vision for their work. It contains information to educate partners on what a vision statement is and the purpose it serves; provides two alternative…

Scratch the surface of any successful organization and readers will likely find systems designed to evaluate how well it runs. The approach to evaluation presented in this book can be applied in a variety of contexts, but the focus here is on the evaluation of leadership development initiatives. Effective evaluations keep leadership development…

Increasingly, people receiving public-supported health care are seeking help for and/or presenting with both substance abuse and mental disorders. People with these co-occurring disorders often require help from many different care systems. Consequently, no single system of care is adequately prepared to help people with both mental and substance…