Sociocultural poetry can be used in conjunction with a 6-step counselor empathy model to help gifted students understand the lived experiences of others, as well as explore their own feelings and thoughts about self in relation to the world. The model can also be utilized to develop basic empathy skills. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

Discussion of instructional design for distance education compares team-based and faculty-driven design approaches based on three online graduate degree programs in two disciplinary areas. Discusses design considerations for online graduate distance education, including needs analysis, content and task analysis, and media selection and design; and…

Provides information for school libraries interested in acquiring graphic novels. Discusses theft prevention; processing and cataloging; maintaining the collection; what to choose, with two Web sites for more information on graphic novels for libraries; collection development decisions; and Japanese comics called Manga. Includes an annotated list…

Discussion of Internet software and its use in libraries focuses on a software evaluation program at the undergraduate library at Southern Illinois University. Highlights include staff training for information technology, availability and selection of shareware and freeware, and an evaluation form for Internet software. (LRW)

Presents a four-phase plan for small libraries strategizing for automation: inventory and weeding, data conversion, implementation, and enhancements. Other topics include selecting a system, MARC records, compatibility, ease of use, industry standards, searching capabilities, support services, system security, screen displays, circulation modules,…

A survey of 196 camp counselors concerning camp staff motivation to work seasonally and return in future years showed that salary and working conditions were not as important as philosophical orientation of the camp, social and growth opportunities, and having fun. Practical implications for camp administrators are discussed. (TD)

Discusses platform unity, or aligning curriculum content with appropriate test types. Presents findings from a survey of 30 Virginia community college faculty, indicating that the faculty did not plan and test content congruently, tended to overtest content, and were effective but not efficient in test selection. (25 citations) (AJL)

Examines strategies to optimize hiring effectiveness for new employees. Discusses how to develop a philosophical, legal, and ethical personnel structure. Presents basic principles for making personnel decisions. Discusses basic steps in making effective hiring decisions, including identifying job prerequisites, looking at a reasonable number of…

Examines the impact of affirmative action as to whether the consequences of discrimination have been eliminated and whether measures are in place to prevent discrimination from occurring in the future. Argues that affirmative action has been partially successful, but its ultimate goal has not been reached. Some concerns and limitations in…

Discusses cataloging and indexing for the retrieval of digital items as part of the British Library's Initiatives for Access program. Highlights include standards, digital catalogs, Novel access software that includes fuzzy matching, software choice and development, and future possibilities. (LRW)

Discusses results of a Web-based survey that was conducted to determine the extent to which Canadian public libraries are collecting multilingual materials, methods used to select materials, and whether public librarians are prepared to provide multilingual clientele with adequate materials and services. Examines constraints preventing public…

Offers tips for organizing the search for a child care center director. Suggestions cover: organizing a balanced, interested search committee; setting up preliminary meetings to determine desired qualifications for candidates; identifying the center's needs; writing and posting the position announcement; narrowing the pool of applicants; and…

Provides annotated bibliographies of five sources about women and their contributions to civilization that are suitable for upper elementary and middle schools and add depth to coverage provided in traditional reference sources. (LRW)

Investigates reliability of two approaches for estimating text difficulty at the first-grade level: the Scale for Text Accessibility and Support and the Fountas/Pinnell system. Supports the predictive validity of the two rating scales with performance data. Suggests potential benchmarks for first-grade performance: 95% accuracy; 80 words per…

Argues there is a problem with how California local school boards and district administration interpret curriculum and instruction in terms of their role in the evaluation of schools, teachers, and students. Notes that the California Teachers Association proposed legislation that would allow teachers to negotiate their role in decision-making…