Certain guiding principles ensure that information technology becomes a value-added investment: using well-designed management and operating processes and fact-based decision making; examining document core processes and business practices; rethinking and redesigning processes, policies, and practices before integrating them into a system; and…

Effective grading practices grow from a teaching/learning philosophy that respects student differences and reflects individual growth. To help individual students succeed, teachers must grasp the curricular landscape, figure out what students know and care about, and design powerful learning experiences to guide them through the next learning…

Boston's Diploma Plus program helps 16- to 22-year-old dropouts gain the skills and confidence necessary for graduation, continued education, and work. The program establishes high expectations, enlivens teaching and learning, measures progress by actual performance, and builds in continuous assessment and challenging postsecondary experiences.…

Examines current standards and guidelines relative to libraries in Catholic elementary schools, using a sampling of library literature and school district documents. Discusses the importance of data; quantitative data; qualitative data; the mission of the Catholic Church; and the role of the Catholic Library Association in formulating proposed…

This article examines literature on deaf interpreting in school settings and reviews guidelines for educational interpreters from 15 school districts, noting discrepancies between guideline recommendations, what actually occurs in classrooms, and what research has found concerning: (1) production of the message by the interpreter; (2) reception of…

Explores security challenges and practical approaches to safeguarding school networks against invasion. Highlights include security problems; computer viruses; privacy assaults; Internet invasions; building a security policy; authentication; passwords; encryption; firewalls; and acceptable use policies. (Author/LRW)

Describes a year-long project involving four British inner-city elementary schools that linked children's and teachers' learning and significantly changed classroom practices through staff development. Reformers should start with modest goals, convince teachers of benefits, hold regular review sessions, create opportunities for teacher…

Describes online and CD-ROM databases that contain trademark information and presents guidelines for using these sources to help research and create trademarks. Sidebars present Internet trademark resources, searching tips, additional print and online sources for trademark information, U.S. Federal trademark databases, and online access to…

Provides an introduction to CD-ROM networking. Highlights include LAN (local area network) architectures for CD-ROM networks, peer-to-peer networks, shared file and dedicated file servers, commercial software/vendor solutions, problems, multiple hardware platforms, and multimedia. Six figures illustrate network architectures and a sidebar contains…

For the Educational Left to gain emancipatory ground, the outcome-based education reform movement must be considered as a hopeful democratic sign. This article analyzes and critiques OBE, arguing that teachers must assume personal responsibility for grounding democratic hope within policy. A transitory democratic framework may prove a useful…

Growing number of children are placed with relatives and supported with foster care payments. This paper describes study of states' policies on use of kinship care as a child welfare service. Analysis of policies revealed a lack of clarity, a lack of consistency across states, and value conflicts regarding policies used to guide placement of…

An educational technology program needs a conceptual foundation with several critical pillars, including shared leadership, collective vision, a holistic approach, relevant curricula, new pedagogies, staff training, noncomputer technologies, software and technical supports, flexible facilities, multilevel support, long-term commitment, and ongoing…

Summarizes and reviews features of digital telephone directories that provide business and/or residential listings via CD-ROMs and online services. A table outlines cost information and the number of listings in each of the directories reviewed, and three articles that provide information about electronic phone directories are listed in a sidebar.…

Examines the costs of finding information on the Internet via basic online access providers and consumer information utilities. Offers tips and strategies to help in choosing and using a search service. Presents a table that outlines suggested costs for example Internet searches. (JMV)

Principals can successfully implement whole language reading programs if they educate staff and parents; engage in effective, inclusive long-range planning; encourage sharing among teachers; incorporate flexibility and experimentation in program development; and create an appropriate program evaluation system. Staff involvement is the key to…