All planning approaches require a result to be assessed. Images of the planning-implementation cycle's success or failure influence the planning process itself. This article attempts to identify the components that determine success and failure thresholds, develop a success-failure framework, apply the framework to analyze some basic planning…

Applies systems design to educational reform through three strategies: transcending the existing system, envisioning the kind of education that will create a desired society, and transforming rather than reforming education to bring the vision to life. (SK)

Case studies of six extension agents and four extension program developers show that three types of factors constrain or enable planning: organizational structure and culture, available resources, and power relationships. Planning is affected in terms of needs addressed and processes used; personal and organizational interests of adult educators…

The most important feature of successful curriculum differentiation for special needs students is good planning, which involves the stages of curriculum support, development of units of work, adapting materials, grouping students, providing individual supports, and assessment. This model is applied to the classroom, the key stage or department,…

Analyzes 106 randomly selected school restructuring proposals from 1,600 submitted to the RJR Nabisco Foundation's Next Century Schools Program. The majority of these proposals emphasized student/parent support and curriculum improvement. Most avoided breadth versus depth and substantive discussion/inquiry issues and left governance structures…

This article presents a framework for conducting effective evaluations of programs for gifted students, reflecting current best practice. The evaluation framework proceeds through four stages: preparing for the evaluation, designing data collection and analysis, conducting the evaluation, and reporting findings and follow-up. A planning matrix is…

During the past 50 years, educational planning has evolved into a recognized, somewhat esoteric field of study. The four major planning models are rationalism (comprehensive and bounded), incrementalism (or muddling through), mixed or environmental scanning, and goal-free (developmental) planning. Sound educational planning is people-oriented and…

The alternative futures approach helps administrators identify signals of changes and emerging discontinuities in sectors of the external environment that require their attention or response. ED QUEST is a strategic planning model integrating futures research techniques and divergent thinking methods into a participatory group process that…

Provides an overview of this special issue, which focuses on computer-based integrated learning systems (ILSs). Highlights include a definition of ILSs; historical background; research evidence on the effectiveness of ILSs; planning requirements; vendors' perspectives; educators' viewpoints; and the future possibilities of ILSs. (LRW)

Explores the role of prespecification and planning in education, noting arguments against the use of behavioral objectives. Much of what is unnatural in schooling is the overemphasis on prespecification of learner outcomes. Because adults reconstruct knowledge for children, children must be encouraged to make and negotiate meaning through…

Disagrees with Psacharapoulos that theory and qualitative research have little value in studying educational problems. Emphasizes the importance of local context to educational planning, and the need for more thorough discussion of the concepts used in comparative education, consistent use of terminology, and honest elaboration of researchers'…

For comparative education to provide a valid contribution to educational policymaking, attention must be given to the context of decision and the possible enlargement of the decision-making population. Recommendations and writings must be geared to their audience and should draw on other related disciplines. (SV)

Bjorkquist and Lewis's model for training research includes workers' concerns (autonomy, compensation, health, and worker-environment fit) as well as influences on training outcomes (performance deficiencies, learning conditions, and worker commitment). Rosen's reaction considers whether meaningful worker participation in planning can take place…

Examines the limits of what constitutes "school improvement." Critically assesses whether large-scale reorganization initiatives in two (British) local education agencies embody elements of a school-improvement initiative. Policy makers could maximize such initiatives' potential by incorporating a school-improvement focus into their…

Examines the planning process behind successfully providing full access to distance-learning programs for all students. Distance learning under the regulatory mandate of the Americans with Disabilities Act is addressed along with facility design considerations and the impact of regulatory requirements on design options. (GR)