Intended to help teachers, researchers, curriculum developers, and administrators develop improved policy in reading instruction and research, this book challenges several widespread assumptions about effective reading instruction and concludes with 20 policy guidelines which can be used to evaluate existing reading programs and redesign them to…

This digest briefly reviews major approaches to restructuring American schools and evaluates their potential for improving student learning and their feasibility--politically, financially, and administratively. The following reasons for restructuring are discussed: (1) poor educational performance; and (2) the changing skills needed for today's…

This discussion of the value given to teaching in higher education offers research-based insights on how institutions can make a stronger commitment to teaching. Recognizing that change initiatives must be planned and made on a number of fronts, examples and illustrations of how improvements may be made in a variety of areas are presented. The…

Whatever the past achievements of our schools, very few today bring about student learning even remotely up to the minimum requirements of a nation such as the United States; small improvements in the educational system will be of little consequence in light of the huge deficits and the country's increasing needs. Most of the large, complex plans…

This publication represents the views of a group of university presidents who met on the White House grounds and at the National Capital to survey the rise in violence in all American universities and to assist in appraising and solving the pressing problems that arise from racial and ethnic tensions on the country's campuses. Titles and authors…

This report summarizes the results of research conducted in the Benton Harbor Area Schools (Michigan) during 1985 and 1986, to measure the sustained impact of the School Development Program (SDP), which aimed to increase school effectiveness. The study sample included a total of 313 students in kindergarten through grade five who attended 14…

As a model for long-range planning and problem-solving, the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska is responsive to the needs of the tribal community as well as to Indian traditional values. The tribe has grown from a $6,000 budget in 1965 to todays' multimillion dollar enterprise. In 1980 the Tribe implemented a plan for socioeconomic self-sufficiency to…

This book discusses the abdication of college/university responsibility for the welfare of student-athletes, the failure of colleges to exercise appropriate controls in the administration of athletic programs, and the intentional violation of institutional policies or regulations governing the conduct of intercollegiate athletics. The first…

This document considers the curriculum development process as interrelated with the process of change and emphasizes the need to integrate an international perspective into the curriculum development process. It explores: (1) technological change and an international perspective on curriculum; (2) Armstrong's seven-stage model of the tasks that…

Empirical hypotheses about organizational change are compared with actual case studies of change and leadership at the University of California (UC) system. The hypotheses are based on the sociological literature on complex organizations and are derived from three perspectives: (1) rational choice and analytic approaches, (2) cognitive…

A strategic plan for public higher education in Oregon is presented. The state system mission and missions for eight institutions included in the system are articulated. Topics covered in an overview of the state system include the student population, degree and extension service programs, program quality, and research grants/contracts. Six main…

An important first step in addressing the issue of obtaining a better fit between unemployment insurance (UI) and retraining was taken in 1970 when the federal government enacted a provision permitting workers to enroll in training without denial of benefits due to application of the work test. Little was done, however, to pursue state compliance…

The members of this task force adopted a broad approach to readiness so that issues relating to at-risk children and youth between the preschool years and graduation might be addressed. Two papers are presented: (1) "Readiness for the New Educational Standards" (Jean G. McDonald); and (2) "State Policy for At-Risk Children:…

The members of this task force examined ways states could encourage greater parental involvement in, and choice among, public schools. Following a list of the charges to the task force and information on the hearings and presenters, five papers are presented: (1) "Expanding Educational Opportunity and Choice" (Cindy K. Currence); (2)…

Effective leaders operate with three different styles: manager-as-technician, manager-as-conductor, and manager-as-developer. The first two work well if the manager remains a hero, but this heroic style diminishes the subordinates' own capabilities and confidence and is counterproductive to change. The post-heroic manager, or manager-as-developer,…