Explains benchmarking, a total quality management tool used to measure and compare the work processes in a library with those in other libraries to increase library performance. Topics include the main groups of upper management, clients, and staff; critical success factors for each group; and benefits of benchmarking. (Author/LRW)

A survey revealed best practices of state higher education agencies in the organization and use of transfer student information systems. The best practices fall within the areas of: purpose of the information system, its structure, assessing the educational progress of students, interactivity of the information system, and linking information with…

Reviews results of an African immersion program for at-risk middle-school boys based on the premise that a nurturing environment of structure, discipline, and a cultural context will enhance the academic performance and social development. The program is a partnership between Baltimore schools and the Baraka School in Laikipia, Kenya. (MLF)

Provides a framework for strategic planning for organizational development; identifies a societally-referenced "mega-level" of planning. Discusses needs assessment, quality management, benchmarking, and reengineering processes for defining and delivering a useful future for both the organization and society. (AEF)

Discusses the concept of quality in relation to educational programs. Highlights include quality as a process rather than as excellence; education's relationship to the community and to business and industry; the need for a mission statement, including desired outcomes; horizontal and vertical integration; and benchmarking. (LRW)

A total of 36 third, fifth, and seventh graders were interviewed about strategies they used to solve multiple-choice questions involving estimation of discrete quantities. Successful estimators tended to use decomposition/recomposition and multiple benchmark strategies, whereas less successful estimators generally used perceptually based…

Discusses Margaret Gills's theory of two discourses operating in "the politics of literacy": (1) the discourse that stresses a broad ranging notion of literacy and warns against a narrow, functional definition; and (2) the discourse that argues that Australia is in the middle of a major literary crisis. Asks what problem the National…

Researchers followed the progress of 10 restructured secondary schools as they "detracked" their curriculum. Most schools abolished low-level courses in favor of regular classes with honors options. Two middle schools developed a common curriculum; some high schools required all students to pass benchmark classes. Others created opportunities for…

Benchmarks for early childhood education must provide sufficient clarity and direction, pertain to both kindergarteners and preschoolers, specify what knowledge students should be learning, be developmentally appropriate, and reflect student progress. Implementing standards requires educators to address two equally important challenges-teaching…

A survey of 33 continuing education units in Georgia's public colleges/universities showed that four-year colleges are more likely to offer academic credit classes and offer contract courses to business/industry. Community colleges serve a specific region, have more distance education participants, and are more likely to offer credit courses…

A recent study developed efficiency indicators (grouped into price, personnel, productivity, and policy categories) as part of an ongoing internal benchmarking process to help six affluent New York school districts manage their facilities maintenance and operations processes. Based on data analysis, the greatest area for potential savings (from…

Provides an overview of the Israeli standards-based curriculum for the teaching of English in Israeli schools. Includes the standards for the four domains of language learning and the standards and benchmarks for one of the domains: social interaction. (Author/VWL)

Describes how state higher education governing boards can use benchmarking to provide direction for colleges and universities. Provides an in-depth example and indicators used by selected state higher education boards. (EV)

Clinical interviews with eight preservice elementary teachers elicited their understanding of pest-related benchmarks. Those with out-of-school experience were better able to articulate their understanding. Many were unable to make connections between scientific, societal and technological concepts. (Contains 39 references.) (SK)

There is significant public policy concern that teacher salaries in the United States are insufficient to make teaching in public schools financially attractive; consequently, there are not enough high-quality teachers. This concern has been particularly acute of late for two reasons. First, new empirical research shows teacher quality to be the…