For the past five years, researchers at the Research and Development Center for Teacher Education have studied the role of school principals and other educational leaders in facilitating school improvement. Through this research, much has been learned about the school improvement process and what facilitators do on a daily basis to bring about…

Despite the widespread introduction of microcomputers into the nation's schools, tremendous variations exist in the frequency and success of their implementation. This study focuses on the principal's role as one possible cause of these variations. Recent research has identified two major role activities of principals: instructional leadership and…

The development of adequate educational programs to provide relevant instruction to train students who will be able to compete for the computer-related jobs of the future requires an understanding not only of the curriculum development process, but also of the capabilities of the computer as an instructional device, the different instructional…

Three major issues confronting Michigan community colleges in providing prison education are discussed in this paper. The first section deals with funding problems, focusing on the necessity of reapplying for funding on an annual basis, the diversity of funding sources, the acquisition of supplies and equipment, and the maintenance of a stable…

In 1984-85, the Mobil Corporation provided the New York City Board of Education with a grant for developing an instructional project related to the Public Broadcasting System series, "The Living Planet." This series explored the concepts of the balance of nature and the adaptations of various life forms to our changing planet. The Living…

The curriculum matrix is a tool to help curriculum coordinators, principals, and superintendents specify, justify, and align curriculum and instructional time to district specified standards. The problem the curriculum matrix solves is connecting the curriculum; that is, tracing an idea from initial justification to its placement in the curriculum…

This is the third and final report of a 2-year study analyzing implementation of Title II-A of the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) of 1982. Title II-A, which accounts for about 50 percent of the funds appropriated under JTPA, provides job training for the economically disadvantaged. The report is based on management information and direct…

As the world moves from the industrial age into the information age people become less dependent on basic facts and skills and more dependent on the ability to manipulate information. The higher level thinking skills that are needed in this new age must be taught in the schools. When selecting programs for teaching thinking, educators should…

Upon completion of a collaboratively generated plan for curriculum development in the state of Victoria, Australia, in the early 1980s, the state's education ministry appointed a committee to create and carry out a strategy for implementing the newly developed policies. The committee consisted of representatives from the state's education…

The manual is based on experience with a program developed by the Volunteers in Partnership with Parents Project (VIPP), in which volunteers were used as partners to families with young handicapped children. Preparation factors are considered, including planning for specific tasks of volunteers and providing adequate training to the staff. The…

This study examined a group of Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) programs to determine: (1) effectiveness in attracting academically able students; (2) the retention rate among MATs in teaching; and (3) what characteristics differentiate among the MATs' career choices. An assessment is given of the strengths and weaknesses of the MAT model. The MAT…

This guide is designed specifically to assist decision makers in business and industry, including chief executive officers, benefits managers, human resource directors, wellness coordinators, and owners of small businesses, in understanding how diet and nutrition affect employees and the company. It addresses the concerns of both small and large…

The Virginia Board of Education adopted a resolution in May 1986 to establish a statewide elementary school guidance program within a 4-year period. A study group was formed to produce an objective, statewide study of principals' and superintendents' perceptions of this new program and to detect issues which could hinder program implementation.…

The perspective of the institution's grants office in securing and administering grants is important because it differs significantly from the project perspective. The project director focuses on the project concept, and the grants office addresses the institution's needs in administering it. The funding mechanism for interdisciplinary programs is…

A hearing was held to examine the Department of Defense's on-site child care policies for uniformed and civilian personnel. Testimony concerned: (1) origins of the need for on-site or near-site child care among military personnel and characteristics of care provided; (2) aspects of service provision to civilian personnel working for the military…