Discusses the need to shift from the old models for organizational development to the new methods of quality management and continuous improvement, visions and visioning, and strategic planning, despite inappropriate criticisms they receive. (AEF)

This paper identifies critical components of recent organizational quality improvement programs and specifies how applied behavior analysis can contribute to quality technology. Statistical Process Control and Total Quality Management approaches are compared, and behavior analysts are urged to build their research base and market behavior change…

Examines the use of CD-ROMs by undergraduates within the larger context of the debate over what constitutes reference service. The author argues that technology has sidetracked reference librarians and that electronic resources have increased the need for a thorough reference interview and bibliographic instruction. (20 references) (KRN)

Authors examine the construct of resilience and its application in schools. Analysis suggests several cautions concerning adoption of programs and practices related to resilience. These include: problems with locating resilience in children instead of systems; over-reliance upon programs to promote resilience instead of natural processes; and the…

Examines rural educational reforms in a small, isolated, economically disadvantaged Ohio school; an advantaged Michigan school; and an Iowa elementary school with a growing Hispanic population. Common elements contributing to reform success: supportive school culture, attention to change principles, research-based strategies, local adaptations,…

A multimethod approach identified barriers and facilitators of action research training as a method to help teachers create school improvement. Content analysis of action research plans developed during training of 14 school leadership teams indicates the importance of technical research skills and the provision of time as a resource to those…

In 1997, Edmonton Public Schools (Alberta, Canada) began developing a process to engage teachers in curriculum alignment with a view to improving student achievement. Ten principles guiding the curriculum alignment framework are listed, followed by first-year results and factors that led to the framework's success. (CDS)

Presents an approach for linking organizational goals with media selected to deliver training. Outlines three levels of organizational assessment: systemic, performance, and training. Describes the media analysis process that considers instructional and cost- and project-constraint factors for arriving at the most appropriate delivery media. (AEF)

Presents an overview of the need for a multicultural program in the Indian Prairie Public Library District (Illinois). Describes the grant-based collection development; cataloging; promotional materials; judging success of the program; and how improvements could have been made. (AEF)

External and internal forces are driving institutions not only to create departments and positions that specialize in planning, quality improvement, and institutional research but also to link them within a systems context.

Universal Precautions (UPs), procedures to reduce the likelihood of accidental exposure to blood-borne pathogens, were observed among seven Certified Nurse Anesthetists and one anesthesia technician during intravenous line procedures. After six weeks of baseline measures, nurses participated in training, goal setting, and feedback targeting hand…

The typical finding from research on metacomprehension is that accuracy is quite low. However, recent studies have shown robust accuracy improvements when judgments follow certain generation tasks (summarizing or keyword listing) but only when these tasks are performed at a delay rather than immediately after reading (K. W. Thiede & M. C. M.…

In 1999, trustees, led by Herman Badillo, were struggling mightily to shore up the City University of New York, a system beleaguered academically and financially after decades of open admissions. Badillo and his allies enjoyed key successes. "AQ" now has the opportunity to recap that struggle by interviewing NAS member and committed battler for…

Quality is high on the education agendas of developing countries. Much time, effort, and finance have been poured into various initiatives and reforms in an effort to improve quality in these countries. However, so far success has been limited and the quality of education in many developing countries remains poor. Efforts to explore the reasons…

Ontario has an opportunity to implement meaningful and transformational changes that exploit the potential for growth in the new economy and drive it's prosperity to unprecedented levels. But the threats to Ontario's future are just as great. Failing to move forward now with significant measures could leave Ontario unprepared for the challenges…