Needs analysis (NA) plays a significant role in developing tasks that create opportunities for natural language use in classrooms. Preemptive NA, however, does not necessarily predict the contingently emerging interpersonal and social variables which influence learners and teachers' behaviours. These unpredictable variables often lead to a gap…

Evaluation studies can provide feedback on implementation, support continuous improvement, and increase understanding of evaluation systems' impact on teaching and learning. Despite the importance of educator evaluation studies, states often need support to prioritize and fund them. Successful studies require expertise, time, and a shared…

In 2003, Terrence Martell, a finance professor at the City University of New York's Baruch College, encountered a classroom of 80 seniors who could navigate the complex intricacies of the futures markets and commodities trading. But when he asked them to write a report explaining to a commodity pool operator why he or she should retain the student…

Recent research into the needs of marginalised young men in the inner west of Sydney found that there are serious problems related to service accessibility for this group. This article explores some of these key issues related to accessibility including: the help-seeking behaviour of disadvantaged young men; organisational barriers, such as the…

This tool was designed to deepen the understanding of what it takes to develop a system of excellent high schools. It provides a framework and guidelines for district leaders, community stakeholders, educators, administrators, parents and students to discuss, assess and map out the process of transforming their high schools to meet the needs of…

Douglas Ehninger's conceptualization of rhetorical theories as "systems" has been criticized for its vagueness in terminology, its potentially skewed perspective, and its inability to apply a stasis to a kinetic phenomenon--namely, rhetoric. The seven recommendations offered in this paper attempt to expand upon the approach and correct…

This chapter considers the design of incentive pay systems for teachers and principals and the challenges facing policy makers who seek to design them. The author argues that policy makers must direct the efforts of teachers and principals toward schools' mission--the acquisition of skills and knowledge among children--and must find ways to link…

Outlines the process involved in selecting or developing software for building a machine-readable database and the special librarian's role in that process. The following steps are identified: (1) needs assessment; (2) project cost and justification; (3) software selection; (4) implementation; and (5) startup and maintenance. Twelve references are…

An algorithm or decision chart is presented which provides basic decision steps to help management decide what data should be collected to derive valid and correct objectives, and to determine what levels of objectives will be selected relative to products, outputs, or outcomes of an organization. (MBR)

Schools and agencies are under pressure to demonstrate program effectiveness and be cost accountable. Systems methodology, developed for use in other fields, may have the potential for program development in counseling. This article discusses some ways in which systems technology may be directly employed in a counseling setting. (Author)

An operations audit was conducted for a school district. The purpose of the audit was to determine the organization of the central office and reorganize its structure and staff as appropriate to clearly define goals and objectives, specify roles and responsibilities, eliminate wasted or duplicated efforts, and functionally define operational work…

Reviews three areas of knowledge needed to select an appropriate needs assessment strategy: (1) the criteria for selecting the method, (2) nine needs assessment methods, and (3) a means of categorizing methods. Provides an example of an assessment activity conducted in a small rural hospital. (LRA)

Describes a rationale, instrument, and methodology to improve the practice of organization needs analysis. The approach involves the author's "career of the organization" exercise for the trainer's use in identifying organization problems and in conceptualizing the nature of needs-analysis problem solving relating to both individual and…

An analytical study of the Jamaican education system and its major constraints is presented with recommendations as to various reform actions that might be undertaken to improve it. Chapter One discusses Jamaica's current economic, social, and demographic situation. Chapter Two presents a general review of the backgound and structure of the…