Teacher education students (n=13) who contracted for grades differentiated by specific criteria were compared on grade point average and grades contracted and achieved. Perceived control over assessment, self-efficacy, and motivation were linked. However, they were reluctant to use criterion-referenced assessment in classrooms when it was poorly…

A poorly managed alternative high school was turned around when a new, safety-minded administration envisioned and developed a set of values. The new learning-community contract requires students to treat other people respectfully, appreciate diversity, pursue their education diligently, obey school rules, and conduct themselves honorably. (MLH)

Contends that social change has created a need for parents and teachers to develop strategies to improve communication, mutual understanding, and effective ways to nurture and educate young adolescents. Addresses the psychological contract between school and home, strategies and stances, and considerations and strategies for strengthening the…

The challenge of leadership training for registered nurses returning to school for bachelor's degrees may be addressed by using (1) learning contracts, which support adult responsibility for learning and (2) nominal group process, a means of identifying individual learning needs and preferences so that teaching can be tailored to individuals. (SK)

Argues that grading and evaluation need not be as pervasive as they seem. Explores ways teachers can step outside grading: nongraded writing assignments, portfolios, and grading contracts. Explores how it is possible to go further and step outside the mentality of evaluation by using certain descriptive and analytic responses to student writing.…

Explores strategies for upgrading facility energy equipment that can cut energy costs and help substantially cover the costs of capital asset improvements. Discusses use of performance contracts to help schools leverage their operating budgets. Highlights how energy savings helped one school district finance $9.4 million in retrofits. (GR)

Goal setting and behavior contracting were combined for students with emotional and behavioral difficulties in a public elementary school. Attainment rates for 43 special education students were analyzed over 5 years. Results indicate high and consistent attainment percentages for contract goals. Findings suggests behavior contracting and goal…

All British schools are expected to initiate performance management policies by September 2000. The article reviews many recent policy developments concerning payment of teachers in England, considers implications for teacher motivation, and presents performance-pay evidence from business and the public sector. (Contains 31 references.) (MLH)

This article explains how a learning contract helps Mr. Watson, a sixth grade middle school teacher find solutions to his problems regarding his student, Samantha's lack of motivation and self-confidence. A learning contract is a written agreement between teacher and learner in which the learner undertakes to complete mutually agreed upon tasks in…

After the quality of a school's teachers, the quality of a school's leaders is the most influential school-based factor affecting student learning, and research indicates that leadership impacts student achievement the most in academic settings serving students who traditionally have not done well in school. In an effort to provide high-quality…

Traditionally, education in Scotland has been viewed as a national service that is locally administered. This research casts new light on that relationship between the Scottish Executive and local authorities by drawing on evidence from an evaluation of the implementation of the additional support staff element of the Teachers' Agreement which…

Describes a contract unit on plants designed to suit the diverse needs of students because it offers verbal and nonverbal alternatives for learning and a variety of activities. (BR)

An organizational workshop for staff members focused on organizational change through identification of problems, one-to-one communication, and the writing of contracts for behavioral change. Contract forming assists members to agree on definition of problems, to involve and commit themselves, and to define processes for change. (EA)

The use of behavioral contracting in exercise programs has been shown to be effective in increasing the frequency of exercise activity and in reducing dropout rates. A study was undertaken to examine the impact of three cardiovascular risk factors (poor physical fitness, obesity, and smoking) on both client willingness to sign a behavioral…

The focus of education today is on producing graduates who can function competently in the real life work situation, thus challenging teachers to produce students who are self-directed and self-motivated lifelong learners. The clinical contract is an effective learning strategy in aiding students to become more self-directed and confident. In…