School effectiveness characteristics provide initial clues for institutionalizing educational improvement, but successful implementation depends on systematic attention to the maintenance function--the type that provides systematic support, reinforced involvement, and a game plan. Improvement strategies may be enhanced by considering four key…

Strategic planners concerned with such matters as high-achieving students, high-performing teachers, broad-based community support, and a two-way involvement with the community must analyze the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats existing in the school's internal and external environment. A sample SWOT analysis is included. (MLH)

Discusses the benefits of painting a school's concrete buildings, and considerations when painting new or insufficiently aged concrete. Painting issues include allowing moisture to escape, choosing alkali-resistant paint, removing efflorescence, and surface preparation. (GR)

Discusses ways to make carpet maintenance in schools easier and effective for keeping carpeted areas in schools attractive and long lasting. Covers cleaning tips for basic spills, ideas for staying on top of stains, and suggestions for eliminating odors. (GR)

As the Internet proliferates, it drastically increases an institution's level of data insecurity. Hacker attacks can result in denial of service, data corruption or erasure, and passive theft (via spoofing, splicing, or session stealing). To ensure data security, a firewall (screening software program) and a security policy should be implemented.…

Examines how Duke University facility management, faced with a triple-fold increase in steam use in its medical center laundry, made improvements that resulted in a three-month payback. Removing the flash tank from the condensate, repiping of the condensate system, and installing of a steam-metering system are discussed. (GR)

Discusses how educational facilities can comply with new Environmental Protection Agency regulations regarding commercial refrigerants. Tips include developing a compliance plan with a manager in charge of it, and developing an accurate and complete refrigerant-systems assessment. (GR)

Describes the ethical dilemmas in publication and provides recommendations for guidelines involving publication ethics. Counselors may be confronted with a variety of ethical dilemmas such as authorship issues, student-professor research, plagiarism, and other publication problems. The American Counseling Association's "Code of Ethics and…

Nutrition and learning are inextricably connected. Protein, fat, B vitamins, iron, choline, and antioxidants promote brain functions. The USDA's "Food Guide Pyramid for Young Children" (and adaptations for school-age kids) offers guidelines for formulating a child's diet. Breakfast, family meal-sharing, and exercise are essential.…

Provides 11 tips on how to effectively buy, install, and maintain campus carpeting. An example of carpeting and maintenance specifications used at Worcester Polytechnic Institute are highlighted. (GR)

Examines the application of field, rink, track, and court markings and explains why the use of proper materials and some knowledge of science is important. Specific issues when using marking paints and dyes are addressed. (GR)

Presents marketing guru Guy Kawasaki's seven rules for revolutionaries, and examples of alumni relations innovators who are implementing change with cutting-edge programs, services, and business practices. Rules include: "jump curves" (look for new paths); "break down barriers" (challenge roadblocks of ignorance and inertia);…

Examines the premise that any particular educational researcher of the desirability and potential usefulness of guidelines for qualitative research seems likely to depend upon the way in which the activity of doing educational research itself is conceptualized. (Author/CCM)

Provides an overview of the variety of problems that may be incurred, and the series of procedures that can be used, to manage science laboratory renovation activities. The planning, decontamination and moving, construction and renovation, and moving in stages are examined. (GR)

Discusses the repair issues unique to gyms and arenas where wear and tear can be excessive over brief time periods. Bleacher understructure inspection is discussed and maintenance issues regarding divider curtains, basketball goals, wall padding, cables, dasher boards, glass panels, and hockey goals are addressed. Several…