The implementation of year-round schools requires careful planning and management. An activity plan provides an effective technique for implementation and action by necessitating the outlining of goals and the identification of procedures and activities to achieve those goals. Additionally, it provides techniques for monitoring ongoing plans and…

It is possible for a district to develop a system of accountability that defines appropriate roles for lay citizens, pupils, teachers, administrators, and the board of education. It is not necessary for accountability to be imposed from the State level through mandates requiring Statewide assessments, competency-based teacher certification plans,…

The purpose of this research was to study the link between effective management strategies and the impact of educational research and development. The 19 R & D Centers and Regional Laboratories of the United States Office of Education were selected as the focal organizations for analysis. Using document analysis and interviews, the researchers…

The Career Planning and Placement Program seeks to make the concept of career education an integral part of the regular school curriculum by providing physical facilities where various size groups can be accommodated and bringing career information to the staff, parents, and students of the school district. The program is designed to assist…

The adaptation and use of individually prescribed instruction (IPI) in adult basic education for the disadvantaged are discussed. The discussion describes a model IPI system (The Draper Model); recommends certain considerations if it is to be used successfully; and shows that programmed instructional (PI) materials work best in a learning system…

This special feature focuses on recent developments in optical disk technology. Nine articles discuss current trends, large scale image processing, data structures for optical disks, the use of computer simulators to create optical disks, videodisk use in training, interactive audio video systems, impacts on federal information policy, and…

This dissertation addresses the need for community college administration to consider the opinions, needs, and perceptions of faculty when instituting educational change. Governments and colleges are tending toward market-driven responses to community needs. Faculty often perceive these business model innovations as short sighted, meant to…

Current theory and law support a comprehensive model of school reform. The Comprehensive School Reform Demonstration Program suggests that changes in isolated parts of a system may not be linked to increases in overall achievement. A comprehensive reform program must synthesize nine essential components to improve the whole system across all the…

In 2005, the Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs (MCEETYA) conducted an assessment of Year 6 and Year 10 students across Australia to assess their proficiency in ICT literacy. The 2005 ICT literacy assessment instrument consisted of seven discrete thematic modules. One module, the General Skills Test, included…

Provides an overview of the criticism leveled at the use of Total Quality Management (TQM) in teaching economics. Proposes an alternative use of TQM that relies more on traditional student-teacher interaction. The alternative TQM uses quality circles, one-minute papers, and quality check sheets. (MJP)

Argues that impending and inevitable changes to geography fieldwork can be better understood through an appreciation of the systemic nature of fieldwork. This appreciation can help in integrating changes into fieldwork. Discusses various management system models and approaches. (MJP)

The University of Amsterdam (Netherlands) uses self-study and peer review to enhance its required, periodic external quality assessments. Lessons learned include these: change must be tailored to the discipline; mutual trust, respect, understanding of the principles, and involvement among all parties is crucial to success; and management…

Presents seven steps for implementing Total Quality Management (TQM) in higher education: understand concept; ensure presidential commitment; develop a core of committed, knowledgeable people; establish TQM principles early; build on past strengths; be prepared to think and act differently; and develop systems thinking. Discusses considerations…

A recent effort to bring the Total Quality Management approach into an upper-division economics course at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is described, focusing on three major elements: (1) proficiency-based customer focus, (2) student involvement in team research projects, and (3) continuous improvement through ongoing student evaluation of…

Virginia Commonwealth University has implemented some pilot improvement programs using the Total Quality Management approach. These have included improvement of a personnel action processing form, creation of a campus computing service request tracking system, and development of an alumni program database. The pilot programs have taught lessons…