Describes a program to bring farm animals into the classroom. Topics discussed include using the senses, health and safety for both children and animals, and rewards of using animals in special situations. Talks given include "Similarities and Differences of Living Things"; "From a Sheep to a Ball of Wool"; and "Food from…

Companies specializing in college recruitment are building databases to predict the persistence and success rates of college applicants and to help design recruiting and admission strategies. The field began two decades ago, when admissions deans with good reputations began consulting. Many of these companies provide other services, such as…

A model is presented for preparing community-based consultants to work on-site beside the staff of early childhood programs in order to improve the quality of these early childhood environments. The model provides measures of global quality in participating community-based programs, to determine the quality of care received before and after…

In this interview with Drs. Nancy Waldron and James McLeskey, they discuss creating school environments in which all learners are successful, helping teachers plan for differentiated instruction, effective grouping arrangements, and the role of principals, special educators, and school psychologists in helping schools become inclusive. (Contains…

Reviews the options available to school officials to ensure a secure environment, including intrusion alarm systems, dual technology, motion sensors, card access systems, closed circuit television, and video surveillance systems. Discusses the design development phase and emphasizes the importance of a tailored approach and the hiring of an…

This commentary summarizes four major themes emerging from this special issue: (a) Consultation with nonmainstream families involves empowering parents to navigate the public education system, integrating cultural considerations into consultation and intervention, and educating families and school personnel; (b) a participatory process that brings…

The superintendent search consultant plays a major role in ensuring a close fit between leading candidates for a superintendency and the underlying views of governing board members on various matters, including religion and church/state issues. Search consultants try to keep school boards upfront about their desired values when seeking a new…

This article poses an alternative to traditional teacher education methods of preparing reading specialists in university programs focused solely on outcomes. An equally important issue to explore is that of process and how candidates are prepared. Studying outputs with limited attention to process factors leaves teacher educators with incomplete…

Using a framework for responsive teaching as the theoretical foundation, this study examines ways teacher educators mediate teachers' transfer of responsive teaching. Guided by Bransford & Schwartz (1999) in defining transfer as preparation for future learning, our research explored teachers' transfer of learning as the teachers developed…

A college instructor, already experienced as a consultant and trainer in written and oral business communication, became convinced by two students in an executive management training program that gaining an insider's perspective might be exceedingly valuable. A few years later, the instructor got such an opportunity: she became a corporate editor…

These hearing transcripts present testimony concerning the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), which since 1965 has provided the bulk of federal aid to elementary and secondary schools and related programs. Much of the testimony was from Michigan school administrators, teachers, and educational specialists who…

The role of integrators, individuals who facilitate communication and understanding, in facilitating the use of computer technology was explored, based on five case studies. It is suggested that a major obstacle to successful academic computing is getting faculty and students to use available computer resources effectively. In addition to helping…

Research in organizational development and ecological psychology has demonstrated the importance of viewing organizations from a systems perspective. Organizational innovations are planned, designed, and implemented in increasingly complex and dynamic ecosystems. This paper presents a model of organizational change which was developed using a…

The publication defines the nature of special education consultation and presents various options through which training can be provided by college and university departments of special education. The first three papers present the realities of special education consultation as currently practiced: "Serving Special Children through Teacher…

The On Site Needs Assessment and Long-range Planning (OSP) Model designed by the Michigan department of Education's Office of Sex Equity is a consultation service provided at the request of Michigan's local or intermediate school districts. The first of the OSP Model's three phases covers assessment of a district's level of sex equity and degree…