Warns that the leverage made possible through widespread use of vouchers and performance contracting can make education a less certain product that will have exercised its influence beyond the point of recall for a generation of students. (JF)

Discusses the possible limits on the legal authority of a school to contract with private enterprise for instructional services. The proper procedure for entering into such a contract is discussed. (JF)

Graduate students surveyed in this study believed that learning contracts placed more responsibility for learning on them, assisted them in synthesizing their needs with course requirements, and increased their competency as self-directed learners. (SK)

Describes a contract grading system for classes in freshman composition that is designed to encourage a great deal of revision. (FL)

A research study at Arizona State University reviews the advantages and disadvantages of the contract method and concludes that it can be highly effective. (JMF)

Illustrates the use of two of Malcolm Knowles' principles in the teaching of business subjects to adults--the development of a learning contract between the student and the instructor and student self-assessment in light of stated goals. (JOW)

Offers advice on what to look for in a voicemail system, how to evaluate bid proposals, what to include in a contract, and how to work with voicemail vendors. Discusses accountability questions and technological pitfalls, urges buyers to see the system "up and working," and suggests what not to expect of voicemail. (MAB)

Philadelphia's new superintendent will lose $8,000 a year if student achievement does not improve. An Ohio superintendent has promised to resign if student proficiency does not climb by 10% (see Roger Barnes' sidebar). Contract specialists predict that administrators will see increasing efforts to tie salaries to results as budgets tighten,…

A learning contract provides a plan of action for one's objectives in attending a conference and selection of appropriate activities. Fine tuning involves reviewing objectives, deciding whether to stay in a session, and later evaluating the usefulness of the conference experience. (SK)

Principles for using andragogy as a framework in designing distance education for adult learners include the following: setting the psychological climate, using learning contracts and individualized course projects, and using a group charter to guide asynchronous discussions. (SK)

The term learning covenant adds a spiritual dimension to the notion of learning contracts. The learner develops and enters into a written contractual agreement with a facilitator, who creates a space that fosters learning and spiritual growth. (SK)

Designed as a follow-up activity for gifted and talented classes that have been using learning centers, this contract directs students in building their own learning centers. Six sections cover choosing a subject, researching, setting objectives for the learning center, developing activities for the center, writing directions and collecting…