Adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) frequently experience social isolation and vocational failure. Although social skills groups are vital, relatively few model programs have been developed for this age group. This article reviews the model and evaluation of the Aspirations program, an 8-week social and vocational…

A study examined the relationship between school system innovativeness and selected dimensions of interpersonal behavior in eight Wisconsin school systems. A composite ranking of school system innovativeness was developed from three sources: the district superintendent, the professional staff of the system, and a State Department panel. Selected…

A study revealed that many faculty and administrators believe most decisions are made in informal meetings that occur at times other than in the formally convened and formally conducted business meetings. The concept of meeting is expanded to include any gathering of members of an organization who assemble together informally and deliberately in…

Over 600 insightful, witty nuggets to motivate and inspire you... and everyone else at your school. Teachers--display these quotes in your classrooms! Administrators--insert them into your faculty memos and share them at staff meetings! Why is this book unique? (1) it includes over 100 original quotes from internationally acclaimed speaker and…

Described an MBA program at Babson College, where students participated in a course designed to increase their creative problem-solving abilities, while providing them with realistic experience in several executive operations. (Author/RK)

The author suggests that teachers should be involved in the decision making process and that the administrator should structure meetings to generate such participation. Discussed are the National Group Technique (NGT) and the Delphi Technique as means of facilitating pooled judgments. (KC)

Offers practical ideas to make meetings more effective. Stresses the importance of planning and describes the following three types of meetings: information, brainstorming, and decision making. Notes components of successful meetings: an agenda, facilitator, timekeeper, recorder, and effective communication and conflict management skills. Suggests…

Presents various ideas and suggestions for day care directors. These include reasons for executive failure; profiles of communicator effectiveness; ideas for retaining donor gifts; descriptions of qualities of outstanding consultants; and suggestions for using power effectively and holding effective staff meetings. (BB)

A study tested the effectiveness of six 2-hour seminars in changing the behavior of elementary school principals in faculty meetings. Eighteen elementary principals from six metropolitan Detroit school districts participated in the study. The subject matter of the seminars included the selection of topics for a staff meeting, demonstration of…

Offers tips on conducting productive discussion of curriculum in staff meetings. (JW)

A report on a series of structured supervisory meetings to assess organization and personnel weaknesses. (Editor)

Teachers dislike faculty meetings that seem time-consuming and pointless. Principals can help make faculty meetings more useful by holding meetings with a purpose, talking about teaching, planning meetings that fit teachers' needs, setting realistic agendas with printed time allotments, and ensuring that meetings begin on time and stay on track.…

Discusses interdisciplinary team collaboration for teachers, including structuring a successful team meeting, the 10-step interdisciplinary problem-solving meeting, evaluation of team collaboration, and effective team communication. (SR)

Describes several elements of the Effective Schools Process and how they were implemented in the Oxnard School District in partnership with the California Center for Effective Schools at the University of California Santa Barbara. Reports on changes in teacher attitudes and perceptions a year and a half after implementation. (Contains 12…

Lines of communication are often blurred in early childhood settings and relationships need to be reestablished regularly as children move through a program. In addition, the parent-teacher-child relationship is a triad that is built upon trust and need and not a clear hierarchy. This article discusses the following issues brought up during a…