Improving the leadership skills of the school business manager will promote organizational structure, norms, and policies. A district staff-development program in consensus skills can simultaneously address problems and develop skills. (MLF)

Managed group formation uses student personal value data and sociometric nomination to optimize the influence of work group formation on student learning. Resulting work group formations are used to enhance the effectiveness of traditional course content and to increase students' sensitization to important group process issues in business policy.…

During 1992-93, an upstate New York district saved a million dollars while improving services for special needs students. The district saved tuition costs by reclaiming 80 disabled children formerly placed in outside programs. By carefully reviewing students' learning difficulties, staff lowered the number of students classified as educationally…

As more students with disabilities move into mainstreamed classroom settings, the role of special educators has shifted from direct instruction to more indirect support of classroom teachers. This article discusses definitions of consultation, the consultation process, consultation models, and situational factors in consultation. (JDD)

Using a teaching case based on an actual experience of a first-year resource teacher, this article explores several issues related to the effective and efficient implementation of collaborative models. It examines forms of collaboration; skills, qualities, and competencies needed; barriers and facilitators; and potential benefits. (JDD)

This paper considers issues affecting collaboration of professionals and family members in assessing children with special needs. Issues include process versus outcome, the balance of power between families and professionals, choices available to families, sequencing of services, formal versus informal assessment, family concerns and priorities,…

The Clarksville/Montgomery County (Tennessee) Board of Education has created a school-board contract that defines how the members will work together. (MLF)

The approach used by the University of Texas at Houston to fill a key administrative position is described. The method used a team of 13 members representing each school involved and other key constituents. Factors affecting the team's cohesiveness, procedures, and follow-up activities are explained. (MSE)

Describes how the University of Nebraska-Lincoln libraries used the Myers-Briggs Type Inventory (MBTI) as a way to understand the personality profile of the overall organization. The MBTI personality types of the library's 33 managers are summarized. Implications for managing the organization and specific approaches are discussed. (two references)…

Outlines steps necessary for students to learn how to use one another as resources for doing mathematics, including preparation for group work, fine tuning communication and cooperation skills, and developing helping skills. Includes a "good helper" and "good help receiver" checklist. (Contains 14 references.) (MKR)

Addresses performance technology issues in the form of a parable. Issues discussed include management and leadership roles, assigning tasks to appropriately skilled workers, teamwork, cooperation, task performance, job descriptions, training needs, management goals, rewards, and quality control. (LRW)

Key elements in successful collaborative schools include focusing on staff involvement, collaborative school norms, collaborative practices and structures, and the principal's role. The article illustrates successful collaboration in one elementary school, noting it involved creating and sustaining a new culture within the school environment. (SM)

Describes an elementary peer leadership coaching project that enabled principals to improve their instructional leadership skills. Project evaluation indicated there was self-perceived growth in instructional leadership. Coaches underestimated the power of active listening. Specific peer matches did not affect the results. Flexibility,…

Includes "Joining Forces" (Lindamood); "Spiritual Dimension of the Learning Organisation" (Hawkins); "Management--A 'Spiritual' Foundation?" (Nevard); "Hermit in Organisations" (Murray); "Towards a Spiritual Perspective on Behavior at Work" (Henson); "On Uncertainty" (Adlam); "Spirituality in Organisations" (Lee); "Ecological Organisation" (Conn);…

The Future Problem Solving Program involves teams of students from grades 4-12 in creative problem solving. The teams complete practice problems and competitive problems. Winning teams go on to state and international competitions. Other program components include noncompetitive problem solving for primary-level students, community problem…