Discusses the cultural transformation process in redesigning a teacher preparation program involving an urban professional development center at the University of Connecticut. Suggests that school-university partnerships can enhance the education of individual students, provide numerous professional development activities, and foster research…

For the primary eye care practitioner in the 1990s and beyond, the basic biomedical sciences have supplanted physiological optics as the primary academic discipline underlying the practice of optometry. Several curriculum development options are available to incorporate the needed material, but a core curriculum is essential at all institutions.…

Strategic planning for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education includes creation of an information system, establishment of local chapters, emphasis on professional development, improvement of minority-group representation, review of governance, development of a marketing plan, expansion of public support of education, and adaptation…

British researchers examined the impact of a new teacher training accreditation system on training institutions. The paper discusses interviews with institutions regarding accreditation, examining factors which influenced and constrained interviewees' perspectives and institutional responses. It notes ways in which staff took advantage of…

Discussion of declining African-American representation in education, particularly teacher education programs, argues that the barriers responsible must be torn down and immediate action taken to close the gap. Ten workable methods of African-American student recruitment to elementary and secondary teaching and strategies to increase…

The evolution of the Pew National Dental Education Program is discussed, focusing on the program's strategies for reform of dental education to meet new social, economic, and health care challenges. The strategic planning approach adopted is examined, and lessons learned in program development and implementation are outlined. (MSE)

Young college alumni have characteristics making it difficult to involve them in alumni activities: age, lack of money, lack of time, frequent moves, family responsibilities, and possibly intimidation by older alumni. Encouraging the involvement of young alumni means changing their beliefs, letting them develop their own programs, designating…

Through integration of administrative information systems across diverse technology platforms and opening access to institutional data, Indiana University has begun to expand the concept of academic information systems. The university's experience has resulted in conclusions and guidelines for other institutions to use in AIS planning and…

The University of Miami (Florida) information resources department developed and instituted a program of "jump level leadership" in 1989 to open communication between all hierarchical levels. Results include free flow of ideas within the department, organizational changes, and happier, more effective employees. Successes, problems, and…

A case study of a small, private, selective college that made institutional changes to respond to needs of disabled students found that changes needed to effectively serve this group are complex and multidimensional. Six key factors facilitating organizational change are identified, changes are cited, and suggestions for further improvement are…

Broader adult literacy in scientific matters is needed urgently in the United States, to improve education at all levels, to restore American leadership in science and technology, and ultimately, for a better informed population. This responsibility rests with colleges and universities. (MSE)

A Foxfire teacher confronts her skepticism of education before interviewing Maxine Greene, author of the book, "The Dialectic of Freedom." Greene, who is optimistic about education and its role in promoting personal freedom, discusses schools in a changing society, educational reform, critical thinking, the importance of the arts in…

Reasons for differences in academic standards in new and established South African universities are attributed to a fragmented educational system, disparities in student enrollment and staffing, and lack of a culture of learning. Areas requiring attention before quality assurance can be implemented are identified, and recommendations are made.…

College governing boards can help improve productivity by (1) refining the institution's mission to appropriately balance research and teaching in the faculty workload, and (2) establishing a collaborative strategic planning agenda with faculty and campus leaders. Results will benefit taxpayers, parents, and students alike. (MSE)

In a six-month period, the University of Alberta (Canada) campus computing services department formulated a strategic plan, and downsized and reorganized to meet financial constraints and respond to changing technology, especially distributed computing. The new department is organized to react more effectively to trends in technology and user…