Describes the stages of the change process when redesigning an education system: (1) initiating the process, (2) designing the new system, (3) planning the implementation, and (4) implementing the design. The common obstacles encountered during the change process (derived from a survey of 60 schools nationwide) are analyzed, and the status of each…

A soft systems model of future readiness was explored empirically through elements from the Finnish educational development project Adult Education Now! Adult educators (n=117) from 104 vocational institutions responded to a questionnaire on future readiness. Implications for adult education and educational technology are discussed. (SLD)

Suggests that systemic child welfare reforms must ultimately encompass all systems that serve vulnerable families and children. Argues that in addition to developing new approaches to service, current reform initiatives should also demonstrate the feasibility of using existing data for longitudinal analyses that are critical to evaluating…

Examines similarities between performance technology and instructional technology, including a systems approach, reliance upon analysis, theoretical antecedents, causes of performance problems, and anticipating obstacles to the introduction of innovation. Goals, target, activities, deliverables, domain, vision, and futures are compared; and the…

Ireland's computerized, national system of university admission, which assigns all students to institutions simultaneously, and Britain's system using a single set of admissions forms and centrally coordinated admissions, suggest that centralization can be an efficient and cost-effective method of linking students with colleges in the United…

Examines changes taking place in corporate training and their relevance to public school restructuring. Topics addressed include learner success, lesson relevance, instructional design, learning systems, cost-effective delivery systems, levels of measurement, the systems approach to education, management involvement, integrated performance support…

A Deming expert explains that his 14 principles are no recipe but must be combined with the theory of profound knowledge, which poses essential questions and recognizes the importance of human variation, intrinsic motivation, and external rewards. She also debunks grading, formal teacher evaluation, tracking, and decentralized management. (MLH)

The concept of reengineering is examined as it applies to colleges and universities, with emphasis upon information technology units. Covered are the purposes, principles, and process of reengineering; organizational change; leadership; reengineering the information technology unit; and critical success factors for reengineering higher education.…

The arrival of the Total Quality Management (TQM) approach in higher education has brought both support and skepticism. Although consultants are busy selling tool-driven, seven-step workshops, it is not yet clear what the academic version of the approach will be or how it will evolve. (MSE)

Discusses issues related to several models of knowledge transfer and utilization (KTU) from two points of view: that models contain nonspecific treatment characteristics that should be accounted for in their use; and that models provide quantitative and qualitative frameworks that may be ready for quantitative consideration. A nonspecific KTU…

This article considers the nature of creativity in industrial and business settings, describes the Manchester (England) Business School Creativity Unit, models creativity in systems terms, reviews action research of the 1970s, and identifies recent areas of research at Manchester including creativity blocks and the impact of creativity training in…

Reviews: "Blueprint for Action: Achieving Center-Based Change through Staff Development," by P. Jorde-Bloom, and others; and "Explorations with Young Children: A Curriculum Guide from the Bank Street College of Education," by A. Mitchell and J. David, editors. (BB)

A system for raising productivity in higher education institutions is proposed, based on two theories used to explain the tendency of unit costs to rise. Emphasis is on combining clear goals, accountability, and incentives with an experimental approach. An institutional research strategy for implementation is outlined. (MSE)

Presents an overview of fatherhood, providing a general schema for mental health counselors who work with male clients for whom issues pertaining to fatherhood are a factor in counseling. Claims that fatherhood exists along a continuum from traditional to involved, creating various intrapsychic, interpersonal, familial, and cultural conflicts and…

Discussion of information systems methodologies that can contribute to interface design for public access systems covers: the systems life cycle; advantages of adopting information systems methodologies; soft systems methodologies; task-oriented approaches to user interface design; holistic design, the Star model, and prototyping; the…