This document brings together a series of short papers that examine 20 educational issues affecting all 50 states in the U.S. The following issues are addressed: (1) accountability, with an emphasis on performance-based accountability systems and state-performance indicators; (2) alternative schools for disruptive students; (3)assessment,…

To assist schools with the process of school planning, a project team convened by the Illinois State Board of Education has developed an integrated school-improvement planning framework. Through an integrated approach to school improvement, schools are better able to coordinate their programs, activities, and budgets and maximize their resources…

To assist schools with the process of school planning, a project team convened by the Illinois State Board of Education has developed an integrated school-improvement planning framework. Through an integrated approach to school improvement, schools are better able to coordinate their programs, activities, and budgets and maximize their resources…

The organization of farming among the Plateau Tonga of Zambia is described in the first part of this paper, after which a case study is reported which describes an attempt by an agricultural extension worker to introduce new methods of pig husbandry. (Author/KM)

Reports on a summer school program successful in improving academic achievement of average seventh graders retarded in reading; emphasizes diverse reading, writing, and study skills needed for traditional subjects. (Author/RB)

Despite need for a high-technology work force, science education has deteriorated since late 1950s. Necessary correctives include more science courses, better science teachers, curriculum reform, more dependable funding, rewards for teaching excellence, and a national curriculum for science education. Business/industry/education partnerships can…

The Greenfield Secondary Schools Project in Greenfield (Massachusetts) includes a planning and grant-writing system, a grantsperson, and a structure encouraging community involvement and interagency cooperation, and has enabled Greenfield to finance innovation in lean times. (Author/JM)

Profiles Lane Community College's use of the quality circle concept to raise quality while holding down costs, whereby a voluntary group of 12 employees working in the same department meet one hour per week to identify, analyze, and solve work-related problems and implement solutions proposed to and approved by management. (DMM)

Several currently functioning techniques are noted for improving school climate and reducing the atmosphere of stress and conflict which leads to violence. Ideas include celebrating learning, providing "cool down" rooms or sustained silent reading periods to relieve tension during the school day, and implementing conflict resolution curriculum.…

Notes the history of the ERIC indexing vocabulary and the Identifier Cleanup undertaken to reduce scattering in the identifier field. Described in detail is the Vocabulary Improvement Project to review and revise the controlled vocabulary and produce a new Thesaurus of ERIC Descriptors. (CWM)

Shares some warnings and positive suggestions about preparing students for the Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SATs). Urges teachers to concentrate on improving students' reading and writing skills rather than have students memorize long lists of big words. (RL)

The New Jersey Education Association's School Effectiveness Training is helping to solve the problems of urban schools. The NJEA approach--developing building-wide consensus, planning, and commitment to make the instructional process work--is not only taking root in New Jersey but is spreading to other states. (Author/SJL)

Use of a self-help tape program as part of a campus telephone counseling service is discussed. Most frequently requested tapes are presented to illustrate the primary concerns of callers. Data indicate that the program is a well-used mode for obtaining mental and physical health information. (Author)

Current approaches to helping students learn, chiefly in Britain and involving groups rather than individuals, are reviewed and related to research on learning. Four issues are explored: learning and studying; problems of subject and context; change, autonomy and the learner; and the relationship between research and development. (Author/JMD)