The concept of quality circles is discussed. The authors explore company compatibility with Japanese management philosophy, a compatibility test, planning for the change to quality circles, need for a flexible design, and setting worthwhile goals. (CT)

This article discusses effective strategic planning and management of employer cooperative education programs. It examines types of planning, the need for such programs, and implementation strategies. Several case studies are considered: Dayton-Hudson, IBM, AT&T, Delta Airlines, and Rockwell International. (CT)

The author explains why creating new programs in an organization and maintaining the programs over time requires a good program leader, integration into the organization, and constant attention to barriers and pitfalls. (CT)

Reports on the first intensive evaluation of the Private Sector Initiative Program. Recommends that Congress and the Labor Department should refrain from changing PSIP's structure, allow time for it to develop fully at the local level, continue to observe local developments closely, and learn from the experience. (CT)

Technical tree climbing is a program on the leading edge of innovation. It will inspire staff, generate revenue, and create a sense of accomplishment and wonder. Initiating a technical tree climbing program requires climbable trees, knowledgeable staff, and a reverence for trees. Describes how Mystic Lake Camp initiated a 4-week program involving…

Describes how South Carolina uses career clusters in its schools, what they need to make implementation successful, and the future of clusters. Looks specifically at the following clusters: transportation, distribution and logistics; arts, audiovisual technology, and communications; and health science. (JOW)

Reports on efforts by the Minnesota Heart Health Program to develop a system that permitted tracking educational program contacts, its implementation, and its use to make management decisions about program activities. (JOW)

Describes the process from inception to successful operation of a university-based, nurse-managed clinic, based on Covey's seven habits of highly effective people. Includes information on the planning process, financing, political strategies for gaining approval, and ongoing development of services. (JOW)

Describes steps in establishing crisis intervention team in schools: determining goals, performing needs assessment, finding model programs, developing membership pool, developing training program, preparing and maintaining list of resources and plans for support services, establishing communication network, designating base of operations,…

Looks at a study of 36 extension officers that found that 89% of the agents had specific plans, but only 8% of the programs were implemented as specified. Suggests reasons for the discrepancy and suggests a flexible planning model for more effective programming. (JOW)

Presents a case study of the development and implementation of the "results framework," an innovative planning and evaluation tool that is becoming a standard for U.S. Agency for International Development projects. Explains the advantages of this evaluation and monitoring approach. (SLD)

The paper will present findings from a Social Science and Humanities Research (SSHRC) funded participatory evaluation conducted over the past four years in the Cree nation of Wemindji in Quebec, Canada. COOL (Challenging Our Own Limits) or "Nigawchiisuun" in Cree, was launched in 2003 as part of a broader program of governance…

Virtual Schooling (VS) for K-12 school students using distance technologies has increased rapidly in the 21st century with the growth of online learning and virtual schools in more than 44 states in the USA and as e-learning in over 20 clusters of rural schools in New Zealand. Although VS requires a special set of teaching methods, teacher…

This report describes the design and implementation of the three interventions tested in Project Upgrade, one of four experiments conducted as part of the Evaluation of Child Care Subsidy Strategies. The evaluation was a multi-site, multi-year effort to determine whether and how different child care subsidy policies and procedures and quality…

Research continues to support the many teaching and learning benefits of one-to-one laptop learning. Benefits range from improved student engagement and teacher-student interactions to the attainment of 21st century skills and the transformation of teacher practice. Additional benefits include improved student writing skills, increased teacher…