A teacher describes how he modified a cooperative learning approach featuring heterogeneous grouping for his elementary school class, covering setting up teams, teaching a lesson, managing the evaluation/scoring system, and the approach's pitfalls and benefits. A list of resources and suggestions are presented. (CB)

Describes rationale for developing a program for pre-parole mental health screenings that involves the use of an interagency, multidisciplinary team and employs referral criteria based on mental health considerations. New guidelines are thought to be more effective in selectively identifying inmates in need of mental health services. (Author/NRB)

An eight-step decision-making paradigm appropriate for guiding decisions regarding selection of instructional programming alternatives for visually impaired multiply disabled children is presented. Brief case studies illustrate the application of the paradigm. (Author/DB)

The authors identify and discuss four components of teamwork in the Boston Secondary Schools Project: team viewpoints, team roles and power, team projects, and team continuity. The discussion is based on findings from a variety of qualitative and research techniques including interviews, participant observations studies, and content analysis of…

Three alternatives to instructional development are briefly described: shifting more instructional responsibility from developer to learner; implementing an instructional system utilizing paraprofessionals, content experts, and peers; and selecting and adapting existing instructional materials. (MBR)

The TASK (Team Approach for Special Kids) approach is a model for special service delivery in which services become part of the disabled student's classroom work rather than provided in "pull-out" fashion. TASK promotes clustering of student objectives, self esteem, and healthy peer relationships. (CL)

A study examining factors that contribute to effective team functioning in inpatient psychiatric facilities showed that most respondents, who were all members of such teams, agreed that teamwork helped to improve treatment plans for individual clients. Roles social workers take as team members are examined and important issues about team…

A team of guidance counselors, administrators, school social workers, psychologists, and learning disabilities specialists meets regularly to provide support to teachers and students dealing with life crises and students identified as having specific academic, social, or behavioral problems. CL)

Organization development may be a tool as requisite to the development director as the ultra-brite smile. How can a development effort use methods from this emerging discipline to be more effective? In four areas: planning, teamwork, human needs, and commitment. (Author)

This document describes the many benefits that arise when educators work together as a team to solve problems and share decisions. Although not a quick fix for problems in education, a team-oriented culture helps people feel better about themselves and their efforts, encouraging staff at various levels in the school district to work together for…

With the advent of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, virtually every school in America is expected to meet high academic standards in the face of declining resources. The requirements to meet these standards are rising as funding decreases, and little help is available to schools. "Strength-Based Teaching" is intended to fill that…

This issues paper, seventh in a series of eight, is intended to distill formative evaluation questions on topics that are central to the development of the higher and further education information environment in the United Kingdom. The aim of this issues paper is to provide a description of the approach of the Formative Evaluation of the…

Structural change is seen as a way to meet the challenges of the future that face many organisations. While some writers agree that broad-ranging structural change may not always transform an organisation or enhance its performance, others claim that innovation will be a major source of competitive advantage to organisations, particularly when…

This article describes one university's approach to developing collaborative alliances within the university and between members of the university community and stakeholders in the community. As this five-year initiative moved from Phase 1, the internal component, to Phase 11, the external component, training was offered to members of funded…

The Family to Family initiative has encouraged states to reconceptualize, redesign, and reconstruct their foster care systems. By 1996, the initiative was being implemented in five states, five Georgia counties, and Los Angeles County, California. To implement necessary changes, Family to Family sites have designed and tested an approach called…