Discusses evaluation procedures for public libraries. Topics addressed include accountability; cooperation among libraries; economic factors; evaluation options, including the use of staff and/or consultants; problems uncovered; and factors to consider when deciding to keep or discard materials, including community needs, circulation statistics,…

Higher education institutions can enhance school reform by establishing accountability measures for professional preparation of curriculum specialists. The article describes a knowledge base of curriculum domains and related practices. A quantifiable compendium of operationalized behaviors and skills can help establish frameworks for program…

Describes a plan that identifies the extent of academic and related service needs of students. Using data on students from 50 elementary schools in Minneapolis (Minnesota), the authors show how their analytical technique helped identify schools with poor performance and what actions needed to be taken to improve them or to sustain efforts where…

The Association of School Business Officials International has a Meritorious Budget Award Program designed specifically to meet Canadian needs. It is a budget recognition program to promote state-of-the-art practices in the development and presentation of school board budgets. Explains criteria and how to participate. (MLF)

Describes a HyperCard program designed to teach middle school students about AIDS in a cooperative learning setting. Cooperative learning techniques are discussed, including positive interdependence, individual accountability, face-to-face interaction, and social skills; and results of field trials with fifth and sixth grade students are…

"Context-Related Characteristics of Expert Science Teaching" is one of the projects funded through the Center for Research on Educational Accountability and Teacher Evaluation (CREATE). This description of the project's data collection and field implementation provides an update on research on the science teacher as facilitator of…

Examines the interplay of political and educational factors influencing current U.S. and British school reform. The dominant characteristic of educational policymaking in both countries is "hyperpoliticalization." Britain's 1988 Education Reform Act, motivated by conservative political considerations, represents a setback to secondary…

Benchmarks are designed to demystify educational goals and illuminate the nature of good performance for teachers, students, and parents. Since 1987, the Toronto Board of Education has developed over 100 language and mathematics benchmarks at grades 3, 6, and 8, combining observation with holistic evaluation. Instruction, learning, and evaluation…

Explores 1990s educational equity issues and implementation challenges, including outcome measurement, the accountability-governance relationship, resource implications, the need for integrated children's services, and necessary role changes for teachers, administrators, and parents. Summarizes recommendations of a New York State Equity Study…

The relationships between education and nutrition are addressed, with emphasis on the following: (1) research needed to help at-risk children; (2) policy recommendations to address the needs of at-risk children; and (3) innovative programs that address children's needs. Findings of a seminar on comprehensive social services for disadvantaged youth…

Church-related colleges must find qualitatively different solutions to higher education's problems by resolving their own theological problems, cooperating within and across denominations, establishing distinctive graduate programs to develop leadership, exhibiting and promoting justice, seeking standards of accountability, applying resources…

A design studio for instructional leadership required educational administration students to apply content knowledge acquired in their traditional preparation courses to school problems and defend their proposed actions. Results reveal some outcomes of changes in course structures grounded in cognitive theories of adult learning and action. More…

Reviews problems with the Stafford Student Loan Program (Federal Family Educational Loan Program), including high-risk borrowers, dishonest school officials, negligent lenders, and guaranty agencies. Critiques recent reform measures designed to simplify the program. Suggests alternative policies, particularly direct loans from the federal…

Key developments affecting higher education worldwide are examined, including post-World War II expansion in the Third World, broadened access to education, autonomy, and accountability. Reforms driven by societal demands, changing patterns of funding and access, and the political role of students. Issues for the near future are discussed.…

This review examines education's moral mission (self-governance and community building) and the teaching profession (teacher as moral examplar and accountability). Teaching encompasses more than ethics in academic subjects; teachers must help students develop capacities of self-direction and recognize the importance of working for the common good.…