Today's educators are buried under old practices, new ideas, and recommended initiatives. The problem? With such an abundance of strategies, it's hard to recognize what, if anything, is working. Before you're tempted to add just one more idea to the pile, take a step back--and an objective look--so that you, central office leaders, building…

Few things can impact the success of students at community colleges more than budget and planning. Faculty must therefore have a basic comprehension of budget processes and of faculty roles in them. This paper aims to serve various purposes. It provides a primer on how the system-wide budgeting process works prior to colleges receiving monies from…

State and local education leaders implementing new college- and career-ready standards (CCRS), next-generation assessments and updated educator evaluation and support systems are turning attention to cohesion--or integration--of these three reforms as a top priority for supporting educators and for increasing the number of students graduating high…

This volume, from a set of documents on planning for inservice teacher education, provides an overview of the process and a set of tasks in program planning. The primary function of the tasks is to assist staff in the articulation of fundamental principles and guidelines for site-specific inservice programs. The initial step is the establishment…

Uses the authors' experiences in Texas to suggest some strategies that teachers and parents can use to affect the state legislative process. (MP)

This document is a teacher-developed handbook to the Meridian (Mississippi) Public Schools' Teachers' Center. The materials contained in the handbook include: (1) steps involved in implementing the model; (2) organization charts; (3) center rationale and objectives; (4) teacher center tasks; (5) operation of the center in the areas of teacher…

Explains how schools, regardless of size, can provide ongoing and innovative programs for professional growth. (JM)

This paper generally describes the activities and processes of a task force at William Rainey Harper College (Illinois) charged with reviewing the college's tenure policies relative to present needs and long-range projections. It provides a series of suggestions of use to other community colleges who might undertake a self-study of tenure policy.…

The purpose of this document is to provide information and recommendations for involving elementary students in civic participation. This document suggests activities and resources teachers can use in the classroom to involve their students in civic duties. There is also a section on tips for parents to help develop effective citizens. A list of…

Too often inadequate preparation in facilitating an outdoor experience is the rule and the subsequent group experience suffers. In an organization like Outward Bound where areas are used repeatedly, an evolutionary form of reconnaissance is often adequate. However, for school groups, this form of reconnaissance is not practical since too few of…

The Waubonsee Community College Ad Hocracy model of governance incorporates the concept of a streamlined, flexible organizational structure which allows for voluntary participation in problem-solving and decision-making. Central to this model is the concept of open meetings which provide for the consideration of all views and the reaching of…

Governing boards selecting new college presidents should consider that: a choice of leader depends on the institution's direction; faculty, students, and alumni must be involved; equal opportunity laws must be respected; choice of an "insider" is dangerous; and search and selection machinery should be in place before the problem arises.…

Examines ways in which schools can cut their energy costs. Suggestions are provided for making school lighting more efficient, conducting a life-cycle cost analysis to facilitate energy efficiency, and developing funding for implementing energy-efficient projects. (GLR)

The Resource Center for Competency Based Education (CBE) is described in terms of background, structure, goals, and functions. Also provided is an introductory orientation to CBE approaches currently in use in higher education. A collection of brief essays which is included explores the more speculative and integrative dimensions of competency…

This document presents definitions, rules, and procedures regarding the granting of permanent status to, or the dismissal of, faculty employees of Whatcom Community College. The procedures are designed to provide safeguards for all parties and to insure faculty participation in these decisions. Rules for the selection, composition (faculty,…