Under the guidance of a new superintendent, an underfunded and uninspired rural New England school district galvanized community support for school improvement and completely revitalized its program through collaborative decision making. Goal setting, used by individual classroom teachers, committees, and administrative teams, became part of the…

After principals have involved all stakeholders in developing a school mission and identifying critical success factors, the planning team must analyze strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats within and outside the school; establish strategic goals (outcomes) to support the future vision; and develop objectives and target dates. Includes…

To fulfill expectations for history curriculum reform, schools must clarify essential instructional goals and objectives, provide increased instructional time for history, reintroduce history in elementary grades, obtain improved textbooks and materials, and provide appropriate teacher preparation and staff development programs. Includes 11…

Reports on classroom management in 15 Japanese first grade classes. Describes intensive training of children in procedural skills during the first month of school, peer pressure through class monitors and small groups to achieve management goals, and emphasis on children's socioemotional development as a target of pedagogy. 22 references. (SV)

An orientation for returning nursing students at the University of Hartford has three steps: decide what you want to say, who will be involved, and how information will be presented. The third step follows three principles: set the stage, make it experiential, and make it fun. (SK)

Findings from Project CREDIT (Certification Renewal Experiences Designed to Improve Teaching) indicate that a multiple support system combining mentors, peers, and university personnel can reduce some complications of first-year teachers. This intern program for 20 first-year Indiana teachers extends teacher education into the first year of…

A proposed model to improve the process of helping beginning vocational teachers make the transition into the classroom includes (1) professional development centers coordinated full time by a person with faculty status in the university and local school or (2) professional development local coordinators--experienced vocational teachers who…

Examples of several teacher induction programs are examined, delineating the frequently conflicting role expectations for mentor teachers. It is proposed that joining the concept of mentor teachers with that of preservice-level supervising teachers could bridge the preservice-inservice continuum. (CB)

Principals are responsible for initiating career development with teachers at all age and experience levels. Although most teachers want to remain in the classroom, many desire new and expanded roles. Principals can assist new teachers' socialization process and help mature faculty avoid the "plateau" trap. Includes 14 references. (MLH)

Presents a longitudinal analysis that examines relationships among Australian family environments, adolescents' aspirations, and young adults' status attainment. Findings suggest that early family-environment type may be considered to act as a critical underlying context for the formation of adolescents' perceptions and aspirations, and of their…

Site-based management may be key to producing more effective middle schools. Recent survey showed SBM reforms not just individual schools, but whole school system. System of site-managed schools requires parental choice as ultimate accountability mechanism. Governance usually becomes the responsibility of school-based councils. SBM demands that…

Presents findings from a 1993 study of 100 leaders in the field of bibliographic and library instruction regarding their perceptions of the most helpful bibliographic instructional resources. Provides descriptions of responses related to best programs, monographs, journals, journal articles, and other resources. (MAB)

Camp Armstrong is a summer program which provides rising sixth grade students with a thorough orientation to their new middle school. Activities develop students' familiarity with the school's physical layout and provide hands-on cooperative learning in academic and recreational subjects. A workshop for parents of rising middle school students is…

Assessing the acceptability of various treatment procedures for individuals with disabilities and challenging behaviors in residential/vocational situations is a much debated issue. Instead of being forced to stay in untenable situations, these individuals should be helped to develop more comfortable environments. Efforts should focus on…

A survey of 60 adult students participating in university preparation courses found a weak positive correlation between importance of personal goals and success in achieving them. Of 193 participants in the course and 193 controls, controls took more courses, possibly because those who are aware of their anxiety about college consciously choose a…