The growing interest in effective parent involvement has produced several ways to classify or describe ways parents are or should be involved. This article reviews and evaluates Ira Gordon's systems approach, the California-based System Development Corporation's categories, Eugenia H. Berger's parental role categories, Chavkin and Williams' parent…

The issue of educational reform and the role of the teacher in the reform process is discussed, using whole language as an example. It is argued that whole-language teachers must develop a theoretical framework that not only informs their views but also provides an understanding of systems and systems change. (Contains 28 references.) (Author/LB)

Establishes the connection between educational technology and distance education, instructional design, and delivery. Concludes that, although technology has had minimal influence in traditional classrooms, it is inextricably from distance education. (SK)

Argues for the compatibility of various elements of cognitive therapy and systems therapy. These compatible elements can be combined so as to enhance the effectiveness and outcome of a counseling session. Focuses on how mental health counselors can operate from a cognitive-systems approach when working with clients. (RJM)

The process used to engineer and manage major organizational change at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is described. Issues include defining change, gaining support, organizing to facilitate change, staff development, establishing project strategies, and measuring success. The role of the institution's information…

Discusses situated learning in the workplace and in the classroom. Topics addressed include operationalization versus legitimization of educational theories; instruction versus learning; explicit versus implicit instruction and knowledge; individual versus social context; systems narrowly construed versus systems broadly construed; and legitimate…

Presents seven principles for applying technology to training and development problems. Based on General Systems Theory (GST), these principles were developed to help with long-term decisions. Highlights include instructional systems development models; complexity in cultural systems; matching training materials to user characteristics; systems…

The environment most characterizing today's public schools is continuous change, spurred by increased demands for performance and accountability. However, discontinuous change, in which organizations must question basic operating assumptions, is imminent. Continuous learning must be built into an organizations' fabric and it needs acceptable…

Continues discussion of a distance-education systems model (presented in previous issues). Examines societal systems, the next level of this hierarchical model. Discusses responding to social needs, social and economic change in the 1990s, and distance and higher education in the 1990s. Provides samples of newspaper articles, one of the main…

Examines three factors contributing to organizational success: use of a systemic model to design and guide the change effort; analysis of interdependencies within the system and of the change potential; and use of communication methods to help ensure that the change will be supported. Presents characteristics of successful change efforts with…

Discusses Harmonium Inc., a community-based agency that counsels adolescents who are at moderate to high risk of developmental defeat because their behavior either threatens their health or jeopardizes their future. It is designed to assist these adolescents using a collaborative, strength-based counseling model built in the integrative capacity…

The Specialized Vocational Training Institutions known as Institut Medico-Professionel (IMPro) in France are faced with increasing demands to provide quality services to adolescents with intellectual disabilities. This article describes the process of organizational changes in IMPro including the model, methods, tools, and techniques used in…

In the past 5 years, the Center for Ecoliteracy's Food Systems Project has grown from one schoolyard garden to the complete reinvention of Child Nutrition Services throughout the Berkeley Unified School District. Using food as the organizing principle for systemic change, the project is devising a pattern of healthy food, improved academic…

Discusses how human performance technology can help new Internet companies. Highlights include major business goals; using a systems approach to look for gaps in the organization itself, personnel, behavior, performance, feedback, communication, and internal inefficiencies; compensation structures; recruiting; training; rewarding performance; and…

This article summarizes a process model designed to help schools include students with complex social, emotional, and behavioral needs in general classroom settings. Challenges to inclusion of these students are identified, and the seven-step model is explained and illustrated through examples of systems change projects throughout New Hampshire.…