This study analyzes various measures of economic well-being to establish how these may have changed over time. It concludes that while most Americans have experienced progressively higher living standards in recent decades, an underclass group has emerged without the wherewithal to support itself or improve its economic situation. Government…

Comprehensive staff development approaches described in this paper are based on on-site work with school districts and a 1980 National Rural Project investigation of problems experienced by over 80 rural districts and cooperatives across the country as they attempted to implement staff development programs. Three models are described which…

This report examines the problem of curriculum revision in the formal education structure of developing countries to eliminate sex bias against women. It identifies three needs: to (1) increase the number of girls in school, (2) alter school schedules to allow women with household and agricultural responsibilities to attend classes, and (3) revise…

This paper describes a group counseling weight loss program, Weight Group, for elementary school students who are already overweight for their age and body structure. The selection procedures for group members and the general format of the sessions are outlined, and the need for confidentiality is stressed. The rules for Weight Group members are…

The Michigan Model provides a 3-year plan for school districts to increase the number of women in administration. Nineteen objectives address six key role groups--three external to the school district (professional educational organizations, local community groups, and parent/community members) and three internal to the district…

From a general overview presented of the current state of teacher education, proposals for improvement and development are suggested: (1) Teacher education should be the basis for the pulling together of the various mini-disciplines that now exist; (2) Teacher education associations should be merged into one influential organization; (3) Support…

Summaries are presented of nine papers on establishing links between colleges and school districts. The papers were presented at the 1981 summer workshop conducted by the Association of Teacher Educators. The papers focused upon: (1) How can staff development interface effectively with preservice teacher education? (2) What can university and…

Two strategies employed by school administrators to obtain compliance in public schools are examined in terms of their concrete expression in school rules regarding student behavior. Two kinds of rules are specified: comparative rules, which juxtapose some student behavior with an organizational response in an exchange relationship; and definitive…

The primary objective of the Stallings Classroom Management Staff Development Model is to help teachers change so that they can manage their classrooms more effectively. In this model, classroom observations and specific recommendations for teaching behaviors are made for each teacher, and a series of teacher training sessions helps them to change…

The implementation and evaluation of a quality daily physical education program into a 14-room elementary school in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, is reported. The implementation process involved the services of a university professor who served as an external change agent and consultant within the project. The consultant made 20 day-long visits…

Research on improving teacher practice is examined, focusing on the collaboration of researchers and practitioners in developing effective change strategies. Three studies are introduced that provide long-range data and form a knowledge base: (1) the Rand Corporation study of federal programs supporting educational change (1978); (2) the I/D/E/A…

Participants in a working conference on changing teacher practice made recommendations for future research. Two broad classes of recommendations were sought: findings from research on teaching most amenable to translation into staff development activities, and how that translation might occur so as to be most useful in bringing about desired…

Federal costs of the National Direct Student Loan (NDSL) program and the Guaranteed Student Loan (GSL) program are compared, and alternatives to the current system of student financial assistance are discussed. It is estimated that over the life of the loan, the long-term federal costs of GSL and NDSL per dollar loaned are approximately the same…

Eight recommendations for superintendents' behavior toward school board members are developed in light of women's changing roles in society and in educational governance. The history of women's involvement in education, including their attempts and eventual success at gaining seats on school boards, is traced from the late 19th Century up to the…

Rural education may be the beneficiary of the current national focus on educational reform since concerns have centered on improving education for all students regardless of where they live, a direction not emphasized in most previous reform movements. The reforms bring challenges relating to teacher certification, curriculum, facilities, student…