Salient features and claims of five pen/pencil ABC shorthand systems and one machine system--Landmark (Speedwriting), Stenograph, Quickhand, Stenospeed, Forkner Shorthand, and Stenoscript-- are presented for teachers who wish to consider them as alternatives to symbol systems in order to build larger shorthand enrollments. (TA)

Examines the managerial systems and organizational climates of alternative and traditional public high schools. Three of the four administrative variables show a distinct difference between the two types of schools. (Author/IRT)

Presents results from two skills surveys of Build a Book (BAB) classes in which students learn geometry by writing and editing their own textbook. Points out that this approach is reasonable and that students who had BAB classes in prior years could identify important areas of learning in addition to geometry. (ASK)

Von Bergen, Soper, Rosenthal, and Wilkinson examine four alternative training methods (subliminal self-help, meditation, mental imagery/practice, and neurolinguistic programming), concluding that only mental practice is supported by scientific evidence. Watkins takes issue with their dismissal of qualitative evidence. Their rejoinder asserts the…

Describes Western Governors University, a virtual university (http://www.westgov.org) organized by 15 western states and Guam to offer competency-based degrees via the Internet, electronic mail, computer software, video, or satellite. (Author)

Describes a university engineering competition in which students use formal engineering, imagination, and intuition to devise a range of exotic devices. Discusses the organization of the competition, benefits to the department and faculty, and some past examples of successful entries. (MKR)

Over 30 years, the Community Church College in Florida has offered a formal curriculum for residents of a retirement community. Essential elements are a wide range of offerings, flexibility, lack of emphasis on credentials, no examinations, and a focus on lifelong learning. (SK)

Describes how Iowa's state university system developed the bachelor of liberal studies, a nontraditional external degree program offered via distance education. Discusses challenges, including opposition to the program, and details course offerings. (SK)

Describes characteristics of the normalized child, the ultimate goal of Montessori education. First outlines children's basic needs, then describes traits of the normalized child, including love of order, work, silence and working alone; mutual aid and cooperation; profound spontaneous concentration; obedience; independence and initiative;…

Addresses the alleged racist roots of Christian schools and the growth and diversity of black Christian schools that have arisen within the Christian School Movement. (SK)

Describes two programs that serve as alternatives to social promotion or retention for at-risk students. The Spotswood Elementary School in Harrisonburg, Virginia, uses a team approach to meet needs of low-performing students. The Excel program in St. Paul, Minnesota, is a 15-month enrichment program for at-risk students designed to yield a…

The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning is currently cataloguing alternative programming features that are most effective with adult students in a best practices inventory organized around a framework of high-level descriptive principles of effectiveness. This chapter identifies a few interesting features from a quick survey of this…

Examined violent behavior and aggression among youth attending 10 urban alternative schools in Texas. Student surveys indicated that aggression significantly related to fighting and weapon carrying. The prevalence of violent behavior was lower among these nontraditional students than among students from the 1998 national alternative Youth Risk…

Reviews research on Australian initiatives to introduce senior school or multi-campus models of secondary education provision and presents three case studies to examine the potential of this approach. Asserts that the approach facilitates the provision of a broad and relevant curriculum, provides a more appropriate schooling environment for…

Associate Student Schemes at polytechnics in Great Britain enable adult students to enroll in part (a module or unit) of a degree program. The flexibility allows students to sample subjects, update existing qualifications, or design an individual program of study under the Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme. (SK)