Presents three keys for designing successful circle time: multisensory experiences, multilevel instruction, and multiple opportunities to learn. Includes related, responsive strategies to accommodate "hard-to-engage" children during large-group activities. (HTH)

Educators' efforts to employ quality management (QM) and strategic planning (SP) processes often fail because they plan incompletely; view QM and SP as distinct, parallel efforts; or fail to establish systemic responsibility for desired changes. This article introduces a four-phase framework that integrates strategic planning and quality…

A New Zealand educator attributes end-of-school year feelings of guilt about things left undone, or things that should not have been done, to not practicing evaluation as part of planning. Suggests developing a framework that ensures certain beliefs and practices consistent with the curriculum requirements. Provides an example of such a framework.…

Seven pitfalls of transition planning for students with disabilities are identified: (1) planning at an inappropriate level; (2) confusing means with ends; (3) failing to involve all relevant educational partners; (4) selecting programs before identifying goals; (5) failing to consider future community realities; (6) being unaware of the process…

The author comments on Learning for Life, the Scottish plan for environmental education. Reviews the status of environmental education in whole-school policies, schools development planning, curriculum models, and local government reform. Discusses the effectiveness of the permeation strategy. (LZ)

The Canandaigua City (New York) School District successfully incorporated educational technology into a capital project, thanks to efficient planning. Planners should build a team, shape a vision, work backwards toward specifics, keep the plan flexible, put off hardware decisions, choose the best software, invest in training and support, and…

Tired of disjointed programs and projects, the staff of Newtown (Connecticut) Public Schools developed their own Success-Oriented School Model, blending elements of Deming's 14 points with William Glasser's approach to quality. To obtain quality outcomes means stressing continuous improvement and staying close to the customer. (six references)…

The new strategic planning system in Dutch higher education is described and the usefulness of strategic planning in higher education institutions in general is discussed. Three models are distinguished: linear, adaptive, and interpretive. Evidence suggesting the system has resulted in more homogenization than diversification is presented.…

This paper reports on the "de-segregation" of students with disabilities, focusing on processes occurring before pupils actually enter the mainstream. De-segregation involves identifying target children, discussing the situation among staff members, evaluation by educational psychologist, discussing with parents and the child, selecting a…

This paper argues for increased universitywide research planning, with emphasis on collective identification of priorities, open communication at all levels, careful allocation of resources, and long-range strategic planning. (DB)

Describes methods a school librarian can follow to conduct a workshop on social justice for teachers. A workshop overview is presented, steps for planning the workshop are outlined, small group dynamics are explained, suggestions for conducting the workshop are given, and a workshop evaluation form is included. (LRW)

Outlines seven factors that should be considered in the selection of an integrated learning system (ILS): the vendor's educational philosophy; provision of courseware updates; courseware offerings, management systems, customization, and online tools; availability and cost of maintenance support; reasonable terms of procurement; the personnel and…

Contrary to positivist, rational-instrumental perspective, the social context of educational planning is interpersonal and communicative. Professional continuing education based on the interpersonal, familial, professional, and institutional dimensions of professional practice will be significantly different from current offerings. (SK)

Schools' increasing reliance on partnerships and donated goods and services may lead to program delivery differences. Policymakers must consider possible "costs" of partnerships, such as diminished revenue from traditional sources, altered decision making, and detriments to equity pursuits, when structuring schools' future. Community…

The new national Parent Teacher Association (PTA) president challenges PTAs to make children the first priority in U.S. schools, communities, businesses, state legislatures, and the federal government, arguing that if children are first, no matter what other priorities occur, there will be funding and programs for them. (SM)