The five states in the Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) Northwest Region have many rural schools that have been designated as in need of improvement. And all five states had rural schools in the first cohort of federal School Improvement Grant (SIG) recipients. To address school improvement, the majority of those schools implemented the…

This brief summarizes the findings from a study that surveyed principals of rural schools nationwide that were designated as in need of improvement and that used the transformation model under the federal School Improvement Grant (SIG) program. It provides information about the use of SIG funds in rural areas and is designed to help state leaders…

During a period of retrenchment, colleges and universities are increasingly developing employee assistance programs (EAPs) to help personnel cope with personal and work-related problems. Successful EAPs have top management commitment, have written policies and procedure, focus on employee performance, provide professional assistance, involve the…

Discusses what the compensation manager at a diverse college or university can do with scant resources to meet the varied compensation needs of the institution. Offers as an example the University of Florida system, which has a flexible policy that incorporates new concepts into training programs and offers new options in consultations. (MSE)

An incentive program that rewards and encourages desirable work traits can improve college or university effectiveness, customer satisfaction, and employee morale without excessive cost. Processes needed, benefits to the institution, costs, program design, challenges to successful implementation, and organizational communication needs are…