Reviews major federally initiated transition demonstration efforts of past three decades: Follow Through and Head Start Planned Variation; Project Developmental Continuity; Head Start Transition Project, National Transition Study; and National Head Start/Public School Early Childhood Transition Demonstration Project. Asserts that findings are far…

Outlines the rationale for promoting comprehensive development in troubled communities. Argues that such approaches employ strategies that address the social, physical, and economic needs and circumstances of community residents. Looks at historical and current approaches and examines the experience of the Ford Foundation's Neighborhood and Family…

Describes an effort among independent colleges to collaborate on administrative support, the WAICU Collaboration Project (named for the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities). Asserting that such an approach allows independent schools to maintain their fiscal health and independence, discusses the program's history and…

Describes the major curriculum changes that have been implemented through Undergraduate Medical Education for the 21st Century (UME-21), a 3-year national demonstration project to encourage innovation in medical education. Discusses challenges that occurred in carrying out those changes, and outlines the strategies for evaluating the project. (EV)

Describes how faculty at Drexel University, fearing a system of post-tenure review imposed from above, devised a voluntary, penalty-free program for post-tenure "renewal." (EV)

Describes how the business school at Australia's Curtin University of Technology has identified a set of generic skills to be taught to all undergraduates and begun implementing a project to teach and assess the skills in the context of each discipline. Discusses the project's measures of effectiveness and lessons learned to date. (EV)

Describes how on a continent where much of higher education is in dismal shape, the University of Dar es Salaam, in Tanzania, has managed to improve its programs, increase enrollments, and attract financial support. (EV)

Discusses the special needs and opportunities for effective faculty and graduate-student mentoring of undergraduates within an interdisciplinary model. The model was used in a series of large, science-based, interdisciplinary, introductory courses at the University of Michigan, but any interdisciplinary faculty team can apply the lessons learned…

Describes George Mason University's Technology Across the Curriculum (TAC) program. Discusses the program in brief, programmatic concerns, identifying technology goals, building the program, program support, assessment, and success factors (ongoing versus sporadic support, course rather than faculty development, technology for learning rather than…

Describes the academic degree program in Speech Communication at the University of Jyvaskyla, Finland. Notes that it was founded in 1982, encompasses both master's and doctoral education, and is the only program in the Nordic countries to cover a wide range of human interaction. Discusses studying in the program, moving from the program into…

Describes expansion of a system at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine, which evaluates professional behaviors of its third- and fourth-year students, to first- and second-year students in order to catch earlier deficiencies in professionalism. Discusses the system, lessons learned, and future plans to expand the system…

Who owns a new science course once it has been developed? If teachers teach a course in their own way, does this transformation improve or deform it? The development of "Advancing Physics" provokes some fresh thought about these questions. (Author/MM)

Describes an example of intergenerational theatre--the annual production at the Blue Ridge Dinner Theatre, Ferrum College, Virginia. Notes that in addition to four plays for adults, one play is for family audiences and includes area children. Suggests the program offers patrons quality entertainment, gives unique experience to area children, and…

Describes Stanford University's campus safety plan, asserting that it allows officials to act quickly, preserve lives, protect the institution's intellectual property, and maintain its academic mission. (EV)

Explores how college programs for prisoners have won new support as research shows that they reduce the rates of recidivism. Includes descriptions of several such programs. (EV)