This paper presents and discusses the results of a project in which seven teams of fifth and sixth grade students were involved in designing and implementing interactive multimedia resources in science for younger children, using the Microworlds(TM) Logo programming environment. It was found that students improved significantly in their science…

This feature issue of IMPACT focuses on the empowerment of families with a member who has a developmental disability. It presents strategies and models for a collaborative, respectful approach to service provision, and presents the experiences of families in seeking support and assistance. Feature articles include "Two Generations of…

Restructuring schools has become a rallying cry among educators. It aims to create schools that are more centered on learner's needs for active, experiential, cooperative, and culturally connected learning opportunities supportive of individual talents and learning styles. This report is based on an early evaluation of the process of restructuring…

This paper focuses upon the research and development (R&D) process associated with developing automated feedback materials for the SIMulation NETworking (SIMNET) training system. This R&D process involved a partnership among instructional developers, practitioners, and researchers. Users' input has been utilized to help: (1) design the…

In searching for avenues to create a collaborative school environment in which autonomous teachers impact the outcomes of schooling and students become independent learners, there is increasing interest in "self-managing work groups." This paper presents findings of a study that examined the role of the principal in the development of…

The Achieving Membership Program in Forest Lake (Minnesota) attempted to develop, document, and evaluate district level, building level, and child team level strategies to achieve full inclusion in regular schools for elementary-aged students with severe disabilities. The 3-year program had three main components: (1) establishing model…

This Virginia document first states the mission of the Child Study Committee (CSC), clarifies its role, and delineates its functions from other existing programs and services. The CSC mission is stated as providing a school-based mechanism to enable school personnel to meet the needs of individual children having difficulty in the educational…

This resource manual focuses on the development and enhancement of student program planning teams in schools oriented to inclusive education of students with disabilities. First, the terms inclusion, integration, and mainstreaming are clarified. Then, the challenge of developing instructional and behavioral plans that allow students to learn…

In September 1991, Red River Community College (RRCC) in Winnipeg, Manitoba, decided to embrace the concepts of Total Quality Management (TQM) to provide an operational philosophy, enhance program curricula, and establish business opportunities. RRCC adapted W. Edward Deming's manufacturing philosophy to create its own approach, which focused on:…

The development of a 6-year strategic plan at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Nursing is described. Major features of the plan include the organization of a planning task force with both faculty and administrative representation, a modified Delphi survey of faculty opinions about future directions for the school…

In recent years, the infusion of multimedia into teaching and learning has altered considerably the instructional strategy in our educational institutions and changed the way teachers teach and students learn. The traditional teacher-centric method of teaching, used for decades in our educational system, has been modified and enhanced. In this…

The relevant literature reveals a concerted effort by academics to adjust their thinking regarding teaching methodologies, the need for students to acquire critical thinking skills, and the desire to nurture undergraduate success. Interdisciplinary or team teaching is often cited as a progressive model, as are learning communities and the…

Cooperative learning is a teaching strategy that promotes the positive interaction of children in small, heterogeneous groups. Each group contain three or four students of varying achievement levels, backgrounds, socio-economic status, and sex. Cooperative learning processes promote student motivation, build group skills, foster social and…

A 10-week training program in a private nonprofit residential treatment program for children and youth was designed to help a treatment team increase its team functioning skills as measured by a pre- and post-training survey of individual and team effectiveness. The treatment program was located in a rural community and served people from eight…

This study examined factors that have contributed to the development of school/university partnerships in Connecticut, and identified obstacles to partnership activities. The research design included review of collaborative activities required by State Department of Education standards at 12 Connecticut teacher education programs. The standards…