Description of the Ann Arbor (Michigan) District Library focuses on the transition from being a public library that had status under the public schools. Highlights include public support for new taxation, expanded and improved services, staff development, partnerships and programs with other community groups and schools, and future plans. (LRW)

Describes a study examining the attitudes of K-12 educators toward their state's North Central Association (NCA) and its future. Indicates that external peer reviews were cited as the most valuable programs, while many suggestions for the future were related to the NCA-university connection, emphasizing a dynamic role for universities serving as…

One school system's efforts to improve the quality of its early childhood programs included making early childhood education the top priority; exposing principals to developmentally appropriate practices; creating early childhood collaboratives; training teachers; upgrading classrooms; establishing demonstration centers; providing support for…

Statistical process control (SPC), which employs simple statistical tools and problem-solving techniques such as histograms, control charts, flow charts, and Pareto charts to implement continual product improvement procedures, can be incorporated into human service organizations. Examples illustrate use of SPC procedures to analyze behavioral data…

Discusses areas where federal oversight of state compliance with foster care case-review guidelines needs improvement. Suggests avenues, such as issuing more clear and precise regulation, by which the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) could best ensure that children in foster care receive the prompt case review to which they are…

Reports on the development and findings of a survey by the Association of Teacher Educators. Respondents (n=944) were primarily university faculty and administrators (n=847). The two issues ranked most critical for improving teacher education related to conditions beyond respondents' control (mentoring for beginning teachers and school reform).…

Describes an evaluation of the Maricopa Community College District Honors Program, summarizing survey responses from honors faculty, alumni, and current students, who all had generally favorable attitudes toward the program. Suggests that increasing recruitment and retention efforts, eliminating concurrent classes, and making more honors classes…

Studies opinions and comments of students who completed the Kansas Governor's Academy (KGA) program in summer 1991. The KGA served 24 at-risk students in an intensive program for academic and interpersonal skills. Student responses suggest that the program should continue, improve, and expand. (SLD)

Case studies describe the changes occurring in a large urban school system following passage of the Hawkins Stafford Amendments allowing the use of Chapter 1 funding in schoolwide projects (SWPs) in schools where 75 percent or more of students are economically disadvantaged. The potential of SWPs is discussed. (SLD)

To determine local educators' responses to being targeted for program improvement, questionnaires were sent to principals of all schools identified for Chapter 1 improvement in three states. Approximately 104 (84 percent) of the responding schools supported the legislative provisions for improvement and could focus on the issues of improvement.…

Seven articles focus on child and adolescent mental health services, highlighting major evaluation issues, considering the contribution of evaluation to improvement of these services, and describing efforts to overcome distinctive problems in these areas. Policymakers and providers of services are optimistic about the use of evaluation of program…

Strategies for the adaptation of Head Start for the economic and social conditions of the future involve the linkage of early childhood and family support approaches with community economic development. Such strategies must include a reappraisal of mental health models to ensure the health of children and their families. (SLD)

Describes Parent-Teacher Action Research in which parents and teachers get together periodically to discuss impact that home visitor program has on students' academic success. Notes that parents and teachers are documenting how program is being implemented, collecting data through interviews and surveys, reflecting on what they have learned,…

Describes the creation and testing of an online prototype, end-user database selection tool developed at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Discusses identifying computer-assisted techniques for guiding users to the most suitable databases for their information needs; improving user services; and improving ease of access to…

A study of program review at 156 community colleges shows that it is widely used for accountability and program improvement; that substantial use is made of results; and that key leadership support, organizational communication, a clear understanding of purposes, and frequent action on program review recommendations at all organizational levels…