Examples of retrenchment at colleges and universities are given as are five principles such as the need to reconsider institutional mission. Both strategic and tactical perspectives are applied to retrenchment decisions of college leadership. (DB)

Discusses departmental program reviews and evaluations in terms of the growing body of information on quality assessment application. Suggests five essential operational and substantive characteristics for inclusion in a departmental handbook. (KEH)

Describes an administrative operational system for internship programs leading to a justifiable return on investment in the areas of academic integrity, departmental image, and resource acquisition. (KEH)

Reflects upon the 40-year history of the Conference on College Composition and Communication. Calls upon conference members to "compose themselves," both historically through awareness of those who have studied writing in the past and subjectively through knowledge of those who have taught writing. Identifies characteristics and goals of…

Discusses a metamarketing needs assessment that focuses on knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSA) within an organization. Highlights include marketing audits; marketing management; career paths; marketing levels; job descriptions; sales and marketing goals; employee classification; a metamarketing questionnaire design; and one-to-one mentoring.…

The roots and initial goals of the National Council on Measurement in Education (NCME) are discussed, and the success in achieving those goals is assessed. Issues addressed include the NCME's practitioner orientation and policies on important matters in educational practice and its role in sociopolitical activities in educational measurement. (TJH)

Describes the history and production of the TV program Sesame Street and its educational contribution to society. Also discusses the affective and cognitive goals and teaching methodology of the program. (RJC)

The escalation of commitment has been variously labeled the psychology of entrapment, the sunk cost effect, and the too-much-invested-to-quit syndrome. This article reviews the state of research and describes four major determinants: project; psychological; social; and organizational variables. A model is provided. (YP)

Drawing from a literature review, interviews, and a survey of practitioners' perceptions, this article examines changing conditions within community colleges and their likely effects on student development programs and services. Advances a new model for student development educators based on principles of collaborative goal setting. (DMM)

Discusses six elements necessary to effect change in a community college: the motivation to change, a vision of the future, knowledge of the institution's present status, a planning framework and process, adequate personnel and financial resources, and an evaluation/assessment mechanism. (DMM)

Excerpt from a planning guide to be used with the new guidelines for school library media programs developed cooperatively by the American Association of School Librarians and the Association for Educational Communications and Technology offers guidance in communicating the purposes of the planning process, outlining a timeline, and determining…

Describes the status of the North Central Association's Commission on Institutions of Higher Education. Reviews the mission and culture of the Commission and characteristics of institutional membership. Assesses the impact of September 1994 revisions of criteria and general institutional requirements and summarizes accrediting activities for 1994.…

Examines the value of professional associations, and discusses their benefits, including networking, technological advancements, sharing of knowledge, cost-effectiveness, and career opportunities. Identifies the elements of a successful association: (1) mission; (2) vision; (3) objectives; and (4) strategy. Also describes procedures for setting up…

Reprints an interview with Dale Parnell conducted in 1981 when he became president of the American Association of Community and Junior Colleges, providing a 1991 update on Parnell's original plans and goals for the association and the two-year college movement which have since become components of the association's work. (DMM)

Presents Aurora (Colorado) Public Schools' generic plan for effecting school improvement, which consists of four tools: (1) outcomes-oriented strategic planning; (2) performance-based education to help students achieve learner and content outcomes; (3) performance-based graduation requirements; and (4) shared decision making among the district's…