Using contract management services for their student transportation programs, school districts can maintain local control and accountability, limit administrative costs, improve management continuity, and reduce staff overhead. Competition for contract renewal stimulates service improvement. (MCG)

Cost-based compensation--the cost to provide quality service with a reasonable profit--is preferred by many architects. This method of equitable compensation for the professional time and talent required to produce a quality product is also to the benefit of owners. (MLF)

Scholars of higher education have long recognized that existing reward systems and structures in academic communities do not weight faculty professional service as they do teaching and research. This paper examines how four colleges and universities with exemplary programs for assessing services as scholarship implemented these policies within…

Discusses the late report criticizing the National Center for Higher Education (NCHE) in Washington, D.C. as lacking lobbying power and organization. Presents example of how the NCHE associations are working together to produce budget analyses and energy resources reports. (PG)

To meet the already pressing demands for their services, human service agencies are trying to develop new resources and redeploy existing ones. The author proposes two strategies to deal with the problem and provides numerous examples of how these strategies have been applied successfully. (Author)

The Executive Director of the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) discusses a number of issues, including her new job, pet projects, her view of NCSS, what NCSS can offer that state and local councils cannot, NCSS membership, and whether NCSS shows sensitivity to the problems and needs of women. (RM)

A 25-item questionnaire was completed by 65 sets of parents of preschool hearing impaired children. The results showed a lack of concordance between expectancy and fulfillment by and from the professionals under study. (Author)

Educators should be concerned about the rate of increase in the number of suits claiming educational malpractice. (Author/WD)

Because improved reading is the most common academic need of children labeled learning disabled or reading disabled, it appears that the fields of reading and learning disabilities should merge to create one strong field. Recommendations for creating this merger are given. (Author)

Areas discussed in selecting an outside designer include: how to find the right designer; dealing with a purchasing agent; the differences between studio and free-lance designers; how much freedom a designer should have; how to deal with the designer; and what advice designers can give. (LC)

Reviews the professionalization process in the school library media field; critically analyzes the field, drawing from the appropriate professional characteristics; and explores the field's ethos, especially the service orientation considered important for the field, which needs to be translated into ethical practice.

The author discusses factors that contribute to developing a successful private practice in career counseling. Topics include (1) defining the product; (2) understanding the marketplace; (3) identifying business support services; (4) marketing the services; (5) planning for long range growth; and (6) setting fees. (CH)

The author discusses how to attract clients to a career counseling practice. Topics covered include establishing referral networks with other human resources professionals and using direct marketing. (CH)