Developed as part of the Gavilan Joint Community College District's (GJCCD's) 5-year accreditation review, this report focuses on a special project designed to improve articulation between and among Gavilan College, the three high school districts it serves, and San Jose State University. First, the history and characteristics of the GJCCD are…

This presentation examines the history of merit pay and analyzes studies and research on merit pay to discover directions for developing effective procedures. Reasons for failure of merit pay plans include administrative problems, personnel problems, collective bargaining, financial problems, unsatisfactory evaluation, staff dissension,…

In this guide, the results and findings of a major survey of magnet schools are organized into a practical manual for school districts to use in planning, developing, and implementing new magnet programs or improving those already in existence. The guide is divided into three sections: (1) key steps in magnet program development (an outline of…

Developed by the Task Force on Academic Quality for the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges, this report analyzes, discusses, and offers recommendations concerning ways to strengthen the quality of the associate degree in the state's community college system. Part I provides background on the charge of the Task Force and external…

A questionnaire solicited information from Kentucky-trained teachers serving in Kentucky on how relevant their teacher training was to their present situation. A 13-item questionnaire received responses from 77 teachers. Questions focused on: (1) the most beneficial and most inadequate aspects of Kentucky's teacher education programs; (2) the most…

This study describes the nine regional educational laboratories supported by the Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI). The labs are operating under 5-year contracts for 1986-1990. The study analyzed lab-produced documents, describing lab operation for the first 2 years of this period, highlighting the status of the program at the…

This paper explores the idea of excellence in education and provides some suggestions of how excellence can be achieved in a vocational education program. The first part of the booklet describes the components of excellence in vocational education, such as excellent teachers; meeting the needs of students, the community, and employers; and being…

Professional development for teachers will continue to be central to the continuing need to help schools deal more effectively with the problems of change. Three themes are emphasized--the individual teacher, the school, and the system. This publication, consisting of 24 papers, is intended to inform public debate on the issue which is critical to…

The philosophy of accreditation is discussed in a paper commissioned by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools for a project on "Rethinking Accreditation." After defining accreditation and distinguishing it from assessment, evaluation and "meta-evaluation" are discussed, including the nature of accreditation in…

A needs assessment was conducted to determine how county cooperative extension advisors in Illinois perceive their duties and what they consider their needs for inservice education. Questionnaires identifying 14 competencies needed by cooperative extension agents were sent to county extension advisors; the 298 that were returned constituted the…

Ever since Aristotle, educators have stressed the need for education for the worthy use of leisure time. Problems with individual and societal perceptions, teacher preparation and attributes, and curriculum organization, however, have prevented meaningful leisure education programs from becoming a reality. The major barrier to effective leisure…

Reports of declining test scores and high school graduates who can't read or compute have triggered a public demand for higher standards in education. In light of this demand, National Assessment re-examined its role with respect to raising educational quality in this country. The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) asked seven…

An excellent teacher education program demands the careful integration of both campus-based and field-based instruction over a substantial amount of time. Teachers must be thoroughly prepared in general academic work and in pedagogy, and they should be exposed to the actualities of the classroom. An excellent teacher education program needs high…

Historically, teaching has been considered an art, not a science, and therefore not subject to scientific analysis. However, there now exists a body of knowledge and a fresh set of conceptions about teaching upon which to base teacher education. Recent and numerous advances in pedagogical knowledge can now be used to provide teacher education with…

This study is an evaluation of the functions and activities of two educational resource centers in Ghana. Issues examined and evaluated are: (1) accessibility and availability of the centers' facilities and services; (2) adequacy of the centers' materials and facilities to meet teachers' various needs; (3) relevance of the centers' activities to…