Research and the lessons of practical experience suggest that successful interdisciplinary programs share a few key beliefs about teaching and learning. Important ingredients include time to plan, implement, and evaluate as a team; adequate resources; incentives for participants; talented and committed teachers; and patience and flexibility to…

The public health approach to suicide prevention consists of health-event surveillance to describe the problem, epidemiologic analysis to identify risk factors, the design and evaluation of interventions, and the implementation of prevention programs. Community suicide prevention programs should include more than one strategy and, where…

Presents one composition instructor's personal memoir regarding the horrific treatment he was exposed to as a marginalized member of a college English department. Considers the kind of atmosphere and collegiality to which successful college English departments should aspire. (HB)

Each year, about 57 ninth graders cooperate with the managers of Mason Neck Wildlife Refuge, an eastern deciduous forest near the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in northern Virginia. Pursuing integrated studies in English, biology and technology, the students have inventoried a pond's biota, collected deer browse data, and…

U.S. program model designs used for children who are gifted were analyzed for their potential applications for rural schools of developing countries such as South Africa. Program trends and practices are identified from analysis of 100 descriptive and experimental studies of the last 10 years. A bibliography of the studies is included. (SW)

Five criteria for judging college or university performance indicators (PIs) used to guide strategic decision making are outlined. The criteria address: purpose; alignment of PIs throughout the organization or system; alignment of PIs across inputs, processes, and outcomes; capacity to accommodate a variety of evaluation methods; and utility in…

Summarizes results of an NASSP-sponsored, 3-year study of the K-12 transition process in 7 demonstration centers representing various types of school districts. Findings showed that middle school transitions were crucial. The most critical elements of this transition process are communication, cooperation, consensus, and commitment of school…

This article explores the current status in the United States of support to families who care for children with disabilities at home. It summarizes essential program features, program effects, and outstanding issues (such as, ensuring family involvement in policy formation, sufficient funding, and system collaboration). (DB)

Reviews research in school librarianship and the implementation of change, highlighting the characteristics of effective programs that affect student achievement and have the support of school administrators. Research on curriculum implementation and staff development provides guidelines for the institutionalization of school library programs. (92…

A federally funded consortium project, the American Foundation for the Blind's Deaf-Blind Project, has produced "Hand in Hand" products for students who are deaf-blind. Reasons for using a consortium model, consortium structure, roles, distinguishing features, and advantages/disadvantages are discussed. (DB)

Describes a sequential approach to learning that matches levels and types of activities to the developmental level of a group at any given stage of the learning process. Emphasizes the importance of facilitators encouraging participants to reflect on learning experiences through debriefing, processing, and transfer. Includes suggestions for…

Outlines constraints facing teacher educators of environmental education. In light of these constraints, it is argued that the provision of separate environmental education curriculum units in teacher education courses is a better alternative then attempting to infuse the approach across a number of discipline areas. (LZ)

Contends that peer mediation offers a way for students to settle disagreements without violence and without involving the traditional system of school discipline. Discusses brief background about peer mediation, then presents one high school mediation program that has been implemented and evaluated. Outlines step-by-step approach to implement a…

In 1986, the Apple Classrooms of Tomorrow project investigated how students' and teachers' routine use of technology would affect teaching and learning. After two years, researchers concluded that teachers were not technologically illiterate, children did not become social isolates, children's engagement with technology increased with routine use,…

Carnegie Mellon University's two-week summer enrichment program for mathematically gifted students in grades three through six is described, with attention to eligibility and student identification, a problem-solving emphasis, a typical day, staffing, instructional materials, and questioning techniques. The two enrichment courses involved…