For any strategic planning effort to succeed, administrators must choose carefully the size or scope of the proposed plan and who will benefit from it. This article outlines the major elements and assumptions of three planning dimensions--micro-, macro-, and mega-planning. Once scope is determined, the group is ready for 12 other steps that will…

Reviews the key aspects of each stage of working with a subject matter expert (SME) for an instructional design project. Highlights include planning prior to collaborating with the SME, defining roles and responsibilities, the importance of good communication, and the importance of good management. (LRW)

Proposes using spider charts to connect long-range, midrange, and near-term educational planning phases. The process involves determining which long-term programs should, can, and must be accomplished; determining required courses, faculty, facilities, and time frames; and preparing yearly and long-range budget and resource acquisitions estimates.…

Two separate but related issues in Australia are discussed: the need for good management and planning in higher education and the urgent need for the system to take control of the national policy agenda. It is proposed that creative, imaginative, and intelligent managers can influence Australian higher education's development. (MSE)

Describes how a brand new Massachusetts elementary principal enlisted teacher cooperation to establish learning priorities for the school, as directed by the superintendent. Beginning with a needs assessment and construction of a school mission, the planning team then developed a set of specific educational goals. Newly learned collaborative…

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)

Studied how school support-team systems have been developed and implemented across the United States. Responses from 43 state education agencies show that most states still do not have operating school-support systems in place, but those that do have varying outcomes based on a variety of program characteristics. (SLD)

A study of adult education graduate programs (n=245) found that, in conflicted planning situations, counteracting was favored over reasoning and consulting. The latter prevailed in consensual situations. Conflict was the most promising predictor of differential use of influencing tactics. (Contains 24 references.) (SK)

Discusses the hazards of prematurely assessing the result of middle school reforms, noting the phenomenon of the "J-curve" effect that models a decline during an adjustment period before showing a long-term improvement. Considers reasons for this initial decline. (JPB)

Describes four lessons that educators can learn from their mistakes. (PKP)

The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, prompted federal officials to step up campaigns to make schools safe. After visiting Ground Zero at New York City's World Trade Center, Education Secretary Rodney Paige sent each chief state school officer suggestions for managing school crises. Many states also have school safety plans in place. New…

On every continent, educational systems are considered the exclusive responsibility of individual states. Particularly in Europe, developing educational systems was viewed as an important part of nation building until World War II. After the war, however, there was a concerted effort to harmonize educational policies to protect the continent from…

This review provides a synthesis of the scholarship that has sought to expand the understanding of educational marketing practice in schools. The following research questions guided this review. What are the common themes and characteristics that emerge from research about marketing in schools? What remains underdeveloped in the characterization…

In this article, we discuss the development of online courses in higher education in terms of the in- structional quality and economic costs. In our conceptual analysis, we point out problems in developing online courses with sufficient quality due to limited funds being made available for online course development. Moreover, economic costs exist…

In October 2008, the American Association of School Administrators invited superintendents of the year from across the country to gather in Denver, Colo., for three days of intensive dialogue about the challenges facing today's district leaders. Representing rural, urban and suburban districts, state award winners came to listen, share best…