Although professional development schools are vehicles for reform, getting them "online" can overshadow the spirit of collaborative egalitarianism essential for success. One solution is to involve teachers and professors in resolving an immediate professional problem associated with school improvement or teacher preparation. The decision…

Selected resources for community service learning are presented in the following categories: (1) service learning (17 resources); (2) adolescents today (6 resources); (3) interorganizational and community relations (5 resources); and (4) assessment (5 resources). (SLD)

Describes the Agricultural Satellite Corporation, a consortium of universities and organizations established to conduct agricultural information and instructional services through advanced telecommunications. Looks at incentives that can motivate faculty to plan and deliver distance education programs. (JOW)

Presents a case study of an inservice writing workshop (at Our Lady of Mercy School in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) designed to give teachers hands-on experience in applying computer writing to their individual subjects. Describes how a computer culture was developed at the school. (RS)

When citizen groups opposed their reform efforts, one Michigan district was intimidated by an ultrafundamentalist media campaign and petition drive, whereas the other welcomed democratic discussion and gradually regained public confidence. Opposition groups capitalized on the districts' lack of preparation, filling the void with their own…

Describes the ways key issues in whole-language implementation were handled in Tennessee's pilot program. Offers a framework for encouraging teachers to look closely at the advantages of whole language without squeezing them between a rock and a hard place. (RS)

Using examples from Cuyahoga Community College, this article examines the nature of teams, how they are suited to community college management, and how they can increase the effectiveness of community colleges. Presents tangible implementation strategies and unique applications for community colleges, including the use of faculty as team…

An obsolete, unworkable approach to achieving high standards is top-down dictation of goals and minimal staff compliance. A constructivist change strategy is based on collaboration. It is an action research and development process enabling everyone to understand the problem, reach agreement on goals, and share responsibility for implementing…

Describes the framework in which the research library at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) reengineered its technical services operations. Focuses on the activities of the "Before Team" in evaluating, measuring, and redesigning the work processes that occur before the library receives an item. Discusses the results. (Author/AEF)

A growing number of researchers are questioning the usefulness of reform strategies that do not provide teachers with specific information about how to implement changes. The replication of successful programs depends on giving teachers the tools they need to carry out reforms by explaining them in detail. (SLD)

A three-year project that examined the impact of an inservice program and consultation processes in facilitating the inclusion of students with emotional or behavioral disorders into general education settings in 25 school districts found that immediate implementation of the consultation process was needed for districts to implement learned…

An ASBO member and chair of New York's School Emergency Response to Violent Events (SERVE) explains how this program tackles violence and teen suicide. SERVE teaches the basic principles of hostage situations, uses a confidential reporting system, and advocates safety audits and risk-reduction strategies. (MLH)

Presents results of a policy study of implementation of the transition mandates of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Five "model sites" and four "representative sites" were identified and visited. Results of the cross-case analysis focus on factors supporting and posing challenges to implementation. (Author/DB)

Discusses planning for the implementation of the Information Literacy Standards in schools. Provides a list of resources that focus on the history and development of the concept of information literacy. Discusses the importance of learning about local and state standards. Lists issues to work through when collaborating on a plan. (AEF)

Studied the implementation of the Federal School to Work Opportunities Act of 1994 in 47 school districts in upstate New York using a backward mapping policy analysis model. Variation between federal intent and local adaptation was explained by characteristics of the particular high school and the perceptions of local stakeholders. (Contains 60…