This book presents a model according to which group facilitation is the use of three forms of power applied to six dimensions of the learning process. Chapter 1 introduces the model of facilitator authority as tutelary, political, and charismatic in relation to both autonomy and holism in learning. In chapter 2, the notion of charismatic authority…

This paper examines the problems and barriers that individuals with severe disabilities often encounter in four areas of their lives: (1) dealing with medical professionals, (2) working with the public education system, (3) receiving rehabilitation services, and (4) socializing with others. The roles of the family, the individual with the…

The National Forum on Schools, "Partnerships in Education: Toward a Literate America," held in Washington, D.C., on September 20-21, 1989, was called as an impetus to forming educational partnerships in order to generate creative solutions to educational problems. The proceedings document begins with an introduction by Gilbert R. Herer titled…

The use of the team process in school improvement plans may play a role in how effective the group is in achieving its goals and objectives. Representative efforts and perceptions of the use of teams in local educational agencies were surveyed in multiple measurements, such as interviews, self-assessments, self-perceptions, and observations. The…

This paper examines the process by which an immediate access-to-technology environment influences the frequency, form, and substance of collegial interaction among classroom teachers. The longitudinal study, part of the Apple Classrooms of Tomorrow project, covers a 5-year period and utilizes data from 32 elementary and secondary teachers in five…

A Wisconsin study examined the perceptions of participants in a state-mandated mentoring program for beginning teachers. A researcher obtained names and addresses of beginning teachers, counselors, and librarians as well as personnel serving as mentors to beginners. A total of 14 mentors and 15 beginning teachers, counselors, and librarians agreed…

Using a brief series of extended interviews, a study gathered information on how corporate competitive strategies affect, and are affected by, worker training requirements. It focused on training activities involving plant-level personnel and first-level supervisors. Interviews were conducted with general manufacturing executives and training…

For 3 years, the teachers, administrators, board of education members, and community representatives of San Diego, California, have been working on defining, developing, and implementing restructuring plans at approximately 50 schools. This paper documents and analyzes the development of a new middle school, O'Farrell Community School: Center for…

Just as student centered, collaborative classrooms give students the power to direct their own learning, so too a collaborative, partnership model for the writing staff leads to empowerment and professionalism. At Western Illinois University, involving temporary instructors in the process of curriculum development not only served to boost their…

The idea of "Executive Mind" carries with it the notion of purposeful and effective action. Part I of this paper characterizes three complements to "Executive Mind"--"Observing Mind,""Theorizing Mind," and "Passionate Mind"--and offers historical figures exemplifying all four types. The concluding…

A major goal of the School for Independent Study at North East London Polytechnic, which was founded in 1974, has been to provide the opportunity for higher education among students in an underprivileged area of London where typically few students have access to further schooling. The desire to increase access led to "non-standard entry"…

Designed for an undergraduate level survey course at the University of Alberta on developmental issues over the lifespan, the 43-module package, "Human Development," is an attempt to provide a multi-dimensional model meeting diverse instructional needs of a large teaching department. This paper provides an overview of the total design…

Screening of students who may require special services by the Indianapolis Public Schools is conducted by Special Service Teams, which are composed of representatives of the special education, social services, psychological services, and guidance departments. The special services offerings of the team, case conferencing, and placement, are…

Recently, the traditional school structure has been harshly scrutinized for several key defects, including bureaucratic rules and regulations, professional isolation of teaching staff, evaluation systems irrelevant to instructional improvement, low teacher participation in decision making, and noncooperation between teachers and administrators.…

Thirteen of 14 secondary schools increased their educational effectiveness by participating in a long-term, 12-step change process with two significant features: several measures were applied to develop a picture of each school's effectiveness, and student involvement in the process was considered essential. Schools were categorized by…