Confusion over American Historical Association policy on the composition of conference sessions, as illustrated in a recent incident over a panel's membership, reflects common concern in scholarly circles over women scholars' participation and representation in discussion. At issue are quotas vs. affirmative action principles. (MSE)

This 10-year followup to an S. M. Davidson and others (1984) study surveyed all 50 states and the District of Columbia to determine the composition and role of state Medicare program Medical Care Advisory Committees (MCACs). Recommendations are given to enable MCACs to be more useful in policy development. (SLD)

The history of technical instruction committees in Cardiff and Swansea, South Wales, shows that as they worked to improve instruction, industries were declining. They were hampered by inadequate finance, students' poor educational background, and a culture inimical to promotion of science and technology. (SK)

Reviews search process, with particular attention to search process, at 24 target sites in western United States. Found hiring patterns reflected a reliance on traditional and outmoded criteria and western states hired few minorities for deans of student services. Recommends actions to improve representation of Asians, Hispanics, and Native…

If school leaders are to resolve the unique administrative problems that educational reforms, greater parental involvement, new legislation, and a continuously changing society will generate, existing professional development experiences must be improved substantially. School councils will expect administrators to assess complex situations,…

The use of focus groups to assess existing college student leadership efforts and as a step in developing better programs is examined. Procedures include assembling a planning team, identifying information needs, determining the composition of focus groups, soliciting and training volunteers, and using focus group results to design a program. (MSE)

Community educators in Verona, Wisconsin, used a community education advisory council to connect with the movement to site-based decision making at the local school level. (JOW)

Describes "Biala," a strategy developed for systematic gathering of information from someone who knows how a person with an intellectual disability communicates, to ensure effective communication in meetings. The results of using Biala in hearings of the New South Wales Guardianship Board are reported; they suggest that Biala enhanced…

Modern school executives have a bewildering number of management philosophies to choose from and a seemingly limitless supply of buzzwords and fads. In this poem, St. Peter (Heaven's chief executive) has trouble forming committees of subluminaries to help him decide which managerial types should enter the pearly gates. (MLH)

One method for maintaining quality in multimedia instructional material is peer review by an advisory group. The criteria they use assess the application of principles of good practice. (SK)

Districts are increasingly building complex computer systems to meet changing requirements for technology-rich education. Technology committees can help build consensus, identify key issues, support funding requests, educate the community, and shape the collective imagination. Planners should also consider system standardization, software/hardware…

Offers a framework for developing school publications that interest and inform the public. Suggestions include sending a consistent, simple message, knowing your audience, and involving the community. Provides recommendations for a distribution schedule, kinds of publications, and going online. (LMI)

Before undertaking a school construction or renovation project, administrators should plan carefully, collect adequate data, involve the school board, form a building committee, understand legalities, select the right architect, consult with technology director, monitor the construction site, enjoy short-lived trouble-free times; and document…

Financial planning is the key to providing a high-quality instructional plan. A 5-year financial plan is typically updated by looking at district financial history, future instructional plans, staffing requirements, and revenue projections. Planning assumptions must be clearly understood by the financial team and the community. (MLH)

Discusses the importance of organizational planning and outlines steps in successful planning: getting started, selecting the committee, deciding the group's goal, plan elements, gathering data, and the finished plan. Emphasizes the importance of people to the planning process--the group should include a mix of talents, ages, and constituencies,…