To revitalize schools, educators must break away from old habits and learn to think within a paradigm that is more optimistic about human potential. Without a new guiding vision, restructuring will not succeed. Educational restructuring is a fundamental change of assumptions about what schools are, how they are organized, and how they operate. (20…

Describes an orientation program that was developed at Northern Kentucky University to supplement the specific job training provided for student employees in the university libraries. Goals that include an increased knowledge of library operations and strengthened commitment to assigned work are discussed, and the program's effectiveness is…

California is field-testing a model to help new teachers become competent professionals via planning, teaching, reflecting, and applying. Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment/California Formative Assessment & Support System for Teachers acknowledges that teachers learn good practices gradually through consulting with colleagues and…

Discusses distance-learning-program redesign for Internet delivery and suggests strategies for successful delivery, including hiring faculty specifically for the distance-learning program; orienting first-time students; comprehensive administrative support; adequate faculty training; virtual librarians; communication; and teaching students needed…

Argues that cross-cultural studies need to recognize that motivation is a multifaceted concept. Reports on a small-scale comparison of United Kingdom and Chinese school students across measures of attributions for success and failure, goal orientations, and self-esteem. Discusses results in terms of motivation advantages, foci of student…

Examines the achievement motivation of 361 university student athletes. The relationship of motivational orientation to academic performance and identification was investigated based on self-worth theory. Fear of failure plays an important role in academic motivation in both nonrevenue and revenue student athletes. (Author/GCP)

A survey of 120 orientation and mobility instructors found that 75% have taught their students to use alternative mobility devices. The type of device taught most often was a two-shafted device (such as the Connecticut precane). Other devices included riding toys, upright push toys, and probing devices. (Author/CR)

Explores perfectionism in gifted students and argues that perfectionism needs to be appreciated as a two-edged sword that has the potential for propelling an individual toward unparalleled greatness or plummeting one into despair. Hints for coping with perfectionism in oneself and in gifted students are provided. (Author/CR)

Examines the pros and cons of delaying motherhood based on a summary of past research findings. A case study is examined and therapeutic strategies provided for mental-health counselors to examine how delayed motherhood issues can uniquely affect clients. (Author)

Expectations from the standards movement, reform, and technological advances pose challenges for administrators. This article advocates principal preparation and cultivation through mentoring and coaching. It clarifies differences between mentoring and coaching; uses in succession planning, new principalships, and job changes; and benefits to both…

Addresses effects of beliefs of professionals working with families of children with disabilities and/or from culturally different groups. Considered are beliefs about groups of people such as stereotypes and generalizations, beliefs about what disabilities mean, beliefs about parenting skills, and beliefs about goal setting. Greater awareness of…

Responses to an anonymous questionnaire on homosexuality disclosure at school by 34 teachers and 19 parents showed that teachers were more likely to disclose their sexual orientation to other teachers than to principals, and to women than to men. Reasons for nondisclosure by parents were fear of discrimination towards their child. (EMS)

Five full-term and five preterm children with blindness (age 12 months) were visited at home with their families every two weeks for two years. An individualized, disability-specific early intervention that used different types of parent involvement was successful in accelerating development of the full-term infants, particularly in orientation…

The Camping Out experiential education program in Ontario (Canada) helps prepare youths (age 14-21) to deal with issues of sexual orientation and to practice building healthy, open connections that acknowledge the diversity of gay, lesbian, and bisexual communities. The camp offers a year-round followup support program. (SAS)

Examines ways that issues of sexual orientation can successfully be taught in the computer-assisted composition classroom. Shows how both gay and straight students can benefit from online and networked discussions of sexual orientation. Suggests that computerized learning-spaces offer possibilities for open discussion not available in conventional…