The educational programs of the Great Leap Forward (GLF) represented the first organized attempt by the Chinese government to restructure and align the educational system with the national economy. The educational policies of the GLF ultimately foundered because of patterned inertia within the educational system.(Author)

To implement shared decision-making, a Colorado school district needed three years to venture through the cage door, scare the cat away, and experience an increase in involvement from district constituents. Blocking can occur because of outdated policies reflecting centralized control, perceptions of the principal as prime manipulator, master…

The Research and Evaluation Support Services Unit of the New South Wales (Australia) Department of Education conducts program evaluations to provide information to senior management for decision making. The 10-step system used is described, which provides for planning, evaluation, and staff development. (TJH)

Using examples from Cuyahoga Community College, this article examines the nature of teams, how they are suited to community college management, and how they can increase the effectiveness of community colleges. Presents tangible implementation strategies and unique applications for community colleges, including the use of faculty as team…

School-based management is being increasingly advocated as a shortcut to more efficient management and quality improvement in education. Research, however, has been unable to prove conclusively such a linkage. Especially in developing countries, concerns remain about the possible detrimental impact of school-based management on school quality;…

Teacher and trainer training is one of the most important determinants of the success of reforms in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) systems in recent years in the Mediterranean region. This is based upon the assumption that the role of teachers and trainers in the reform of TVET is a dual one; that of stakeholder and…

The three papers contained within this volume examine planning for technology use in the classroom. The first paper, "PERSPECTIVES: School Level Educational Technology Planning" (Tracey Bailey, Geri Martin, Cathy Hutchins, Charles Terrett, and Ken Russell) discusses the process of educational technology planning from several different…

There are many resources available for supporting Title I or school-improvement processes, but many of them present a disjointed picture of the complicated process. This guidebook was developed to provide a coherent framework for planning educational improvement and can be used to support any school or district staff working to improve an…

In an era of rising public criticism of education and decreasing resources, strategic planning can be a major tool for educational administrators who wish to respond to the increasing challenges their adult literacy programs face. Strategic planning can be defined as a disciplined effort to produce fundamental decisions and actions that shape and…

One of the greatest dilemmas in grass-roots school reform is how local participants can take the initiative to construct new and more powerful educational environments for students. The 11 chapters of this book provide a "how-to" guide for curriculum dynamics development, implementation, and assessment. Chapter 1 offers guidelines for establishing…

Proceedings of a conference designed to provide a group of teachers, administrators and university professors with an opportunity to share information on initiating and sustaining innovative programs in education are summarized in this paper. The participants represented 21 exemplary programs in mathematics, science, and/or computer education as…

The Center for Educational Leadership was established in New York City in 1984 to meet the objective of institutionalizing the effective leadership and staff development practices necessary to sustain school improvement. It is a catalyst and a facilitator which enables educational leaders to apply their instructional and management expertise…

This guide was prepared to aid school system vocational education advisory committee members and instructors in fulfilling their roles and responsibilities. The booklet covers the following topics: purposes and role of the advisory committee; advisory committee rationale; organizational goals; responsibilities of advisory committee members;…

This discussion document provides detailed guidance on the resources needed to provide high quality learning opportunities for adults who want to improve basic communication skills. Background material is provided on the size of the literacy problem, the response of educators, the level of resources allocated for adult literacy and basic skills,…

This paper is one in a publication series containing general knowledge which can help colleges and universities in the various phases of developing comprehensive cooperative education programs (see note). It explains and summarizes the major stages that an institution must pass through in the conversion from a traditional academic plan to a…