Describes a study of the economics of language competence in Switzerland and the efficacy of education systems undertaken to develop guidelines for language policy. This study was mandated by such issues as the reassertion of local identities, unprecedented migration flows, the emergence of the European Union, and the intensification of…

Discusses the following conditions that affect the quality of distance education for instructors and learners: mediation of technology, challenging administrative arrangements for remote sites, absence of visual channels of communication, and geographical dispersal of instructor and learners. Provides guidelines and activity suggestions for each…

This paper describes the evolution of playground safety, discussing the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) "Handbook for Public Playground Safety" and examining the direction in which CPSC guidelines are moving. The paper notes the importance of certification of playground equipment, reviews pertinent questions to address, and…

Addresses the nonuse and misuse of sound when designing instruction using educational technology and presents the Structured Sound Functions (SSF) Model to improve sound attribute research and scriptwriting guidelines. The preference for visual interfaces is discussed, including educational television (ETV), and the creation of sound-image…

Using S. J. Messick's theoretical work concerning construct validity as a guide, underlying hypotheses for investigation when validating placement test decisions are assessed. Guidelines on validating placement decisions are offered, and the hypotheses and guidelines are applied in a validation study of the Written English Expression Placement…

Administrators concerned with institutional development at an independent elementary/secondary school, a state university, a school of theology, and a private college share suggestions for maintaining the fund-raising momentum between major capital campaigns. Suggestions address leadership, volunteers, donors, planning, and administration. (DB)

Guidance for libraries in implementing the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 is provided in question and answer format. Topics covered include library services and materials, employment issues, and parking requirements. (LAE)

Eight criteria developed by the National Forum on Assessment (Washington, DC) as guidelines for evaluating existing and proposed assessment systems at any level are listed. Criteria call for clear definitions and fair assessments to assist educators and policymakers in improving instruction. Continuous review and improvement are recommended. (SLD)

Discussion of bibliographic database management in industrial and government research and development organizations focuses on a class on bibliographic database management offered at the library of the Naval Ocean Systems Center. The organization of the class is explained, and database structure and cataloging guidelines for project documentation…

Lists a total of 32 references and resources on techniques for conflict resolution in the preschool classroom, most dated in the 1980s and 1990s. (LB)

Describes issues and advances in the design of appropriate inference engines and knowledge structures needed by commercially feasible intelligent intermediary systems for information retrieval. Issues associated with the design of interfaces to such functions are discussed in detail. Design principles for guiding implementation of these interfaces…

When parents objected to a new performance-based achievement scale, a Wisconsin school revised its report card to reflect traditional letter grades for each main subject area, using the new scale to measure component skill areas. Schools can weather controversy by making report cards reflect school philosophy, involving school personnel and…

Describes the manual for a Young Adult Library Advisory Board, a teen group that helps to plan and implement public library youth services. The board's purpose, the recruitment of teen volunteers from which board members can be drawn, volunteer guidelines and assignments, a step-by-step procedure for establishing the program, and a sample agenda…

Describes building security procedures developed at the Hampton Public Library (Virginia) to deal with problem patrons. Highlights include need for the library monitor program; staffing patterns; monitor selection criteria; training procedures; library behavior guidelines; library policy statements; theft detection systems; and sample job…

Describes a series of studies of fourth graders that investigated the cueing effectiveness of seven variables for use with visual information. Contrasting cueing strategies that were tested are described, cueing effects on average and below average learners are discussed, and tentative guidelines for instructional designers are suggested. (35…