Large increases in productivity are typically realized as organization gain experience in production. Examined is evidence from several disciplines on organizational learning curves. Reasons why organizational learning rates vary are identified. (YP)

Described are various cooperative ventures between both domestic and foreign academia and industry. The advantages of cooperative ventures are highlighted. Suggestions for practical approaches to get industry involved in these alliances are provided. (CW)

Comments on some fundamentals of trade, suggesting that the world economy has become essentially one transnational unit. Discusses the extent to which Japan and the United States are economically linked. States that protective measures against goods produced abroad are not a solution to any nation's economic problems. (KO)

Reports of three groups studying California's higher education system are discussed, focusing on emerging ideas about the role of education in a pluralistic society. The groups include a state commission of business and community leaders and governing board members, California legislators, and an Organization for Economic Cooperation and…

Evaluates the syntactical features (readability) and demands placed on students' memory (number of steps) by basal reader worksheet directions in the three most common basal reading series. Concludes that, with the exception of one series' demand on memory, worksheet directions are not designed according to students' competency level. (RS)

A qualitative case study and monitoring data complemented a study of the evaluation of a health promotion program (Project LIFE) conducted in 23 rubber-producing plants in the United States. The study illustrates assessment of threats to internal validity, including the degree to which the planned intervention was actually implemented. (SLD)

Examines U.S. executive agency publishing and printing from 1919 through the 1950s. Focuses on the Congressional Joint Committee on Printing (67th Congress), advancements in graphic arts, and resulting institutional tensions; and discusses the emergence of the Printing Industries of America. Six tables of expenditure data are appended. (Author/AEF)

This article presents observations from contacts and consultations with representatives of 25 major companies in the Richmond, Virginia, area concerning their strategies for complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The article concludes that a dynamic tension exists between employers and people with disabilities, and the law's…

The Weber Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act of 1988 requires companies with 100 or more workers to provide 60 days' notice of plant closings and mass layoffs. What enforcing and even strengthening this law might mean is discussed. WARN might actually result in lower wages and more temporary workers. (SLD)

Addresses the importance and features of Native American oral literature, discusses the heightened interest of publishers in producing books with Native American stories for children, and describes problems in many of these works. Issues of authenticity are discussed, and examples of nonfiction and fiction works that provide accurate information…

A simple experiment concerning the elasticity of wood is described that can easily be performed at home. The forces needed to produce a stress in wood are measured and compared. Provides a mathematical discussion of the elasticity and stress of wood. (MVL)

The author of "The Fifth Discipline" says most schools are not learning organizations. Educators are too isolated and rule-bound to experience collective learning and engage students. Deep learning is learner-driven. Learning communities enhance people's collective capacity to create and pursue overall visions. Schools must exchange…

Thanks to a student teacher's efforts, a fourth-grade class in Montgomery County, Maryland, spent half a day touring Bell Atlantic's facilities. Each student's most treasured memory was lunching with a Bell Atlantic employee "buddy" and visiting his or her work station. Children's thank you letters expressed their gratitude for…

Discusses the results of a survey of commercial CD-ROM databases and compares them with previous annual surveys. Topics discussed include the rapid growth in number of available titles; types of databases; subject areas; hardware requirements; frequency of updates; prices; and CD-ROM's potential as a publishing medium. (seven references) (LRW)

Discussion of problems library wholesalers/distributors face trying to fulfill public libraries' needs while adjusting to a changing industry is based on responses by librarians to a survey on library jobbers. Increased services to libraries, electronic ordering, timeliness, stock management, and quality control are addressed; and a chart of…