In New York City, a $25 million Annenberg grant was targeted to 100 individual schools to empower their staffs via innovative networks and accountability structures. However, the changes that graced the proposals did not create the desired momentum. Targeting school-level groups cannot in itself lead to systemwide change. Problems arose from…

Finds recent brain research sheds light on roles played by a positive affective environment and the interactive use of language in teaching the learning process through content area classes. Implements these ideas over a 10-month period in a ninth-grade classroom. Compares program students to other ninth graders on measures of metacognitive…

Concerned about educational quality in the Mifflin County (Pennsylvania) School District, a committee of educators surveyed 11 other Pennsylvania districts concerning their experience with intensive scheduling in high school special-education programs. Responses were generally positive, except for concerns about special-education support services.…

Although school restructuring often calls for modifying the roles and responsibilities of teachers, students, and administrators, most restructuring efforts involve educators, not students. A team of university researchers trained high school sophomores as documenters of the school restructuring process. These documenters helped develop the…

Discussion of the leadership role that school librarians need to take focuses on three main areas: (1) to provide access to information; (2) to help teachers with instructional design, including 10 steps for implementing instructional design and examples from an actual unit; and (3) to help with curriculum reform. (LRW)

The seven chapters of this volume review current design and use of performance measurement in public and nonprofit programs. The contexts surrounding design and implementation of performance measurement systems and best practices are discussed, and examples of the use of performance measurement in government and the nonprofit sector are presented.…

Information, like other organizational resources, needs to be managed to help organizations improve productivity, competitiveness, and overall performance. Reviews developments (1986-96) in Information Resources Management (IRM). Examines the concept of IRM; IRM from information technology and integrative perspectives; IRM practices; IRM in the…

A study examining the characteristics of adventure recreation experiences concluded that people who enjoy adventure recreation seek out increasingly challenging opportunities, not higher levels of risk. Another study found that instructor skills rank as the most important determinant for participation in nature-based programs, and women rank it…

A college marketing model consisting of several strategies and contingency plans for decision-making under difficult conditions is outlined. The plan provides for orderly transition from one marketing stage to the next logical stage, allowing some control over both internal and external environments, and providing insight into the delicate…

Presents five tips for successful planning and implementation of distance education programs in organizations: (1) obtain support from top management; (2) focus on specific projects; (3) take time and resources to plan thoroughly and design well; (4) select media tools according to program needs; and (5) select, train, monitor, and reward…

Proposes that there are four middle school concepts that hold promise for being effective in high schools: advisor-advisee programs, exploratory programs, interdisciplinary teams, and efforts to promote a positive school climate. Lists, for each concept, implementation tasks, the characteristics of effective high school efforts, and recommended…

Discusses how to develop effective security education and awareness programs to help the wide and varied groups of people on campuses understand their role in campus security, examining: target audiences (e.g., students, parents, faculty, researchers, and administrators); effective delivery methods (e.g., online quizzes, handbooks, and videos);…

Structured interviews with 575 administrators and supervisors in 6 school districts finds 8 impediments to school board implementation of an effective merit pay system for these employees: Lack of knowledge, teacher heritage, supervisor's ability, supervisor's motivation, managerial prerogatives, amount of rewards, and type of rewards. Offers…

Despite the availability of computer-assisted research, a survey of 300 newspapers found that many journalists still rely on paper sources or neglect research altogether. This article describes the development and implementation of a beginning reporting course that integrates research skills, demonstrates the value of research in reporting, and…

Identifies factors distinguishing fast-starter from slow-starter schools during the first year of the Memphis Restructuring Initiative, which follows a "cell-division" implementation model. Startup is enhanced by strong administrative leadership; a restructuring model matching schools' current beliefs; curricula aligned with state…