Unlike medicine, architecture, or accounting, the teaching profession has not codified the knowledge, skill, and dispositions accounting for accomplished practice. The National Board Certification system now under development addresses three critical elements: standards setting, assessment, and professional development. The system will be field…

Critics of outcomes-based education and proponents of vouchers, school choice, creationism, and tax limitation measures often seem to be advocating publicly funded private education. School leaders attempting to implement OBE or other improvement programs should describe programs properly, involve the community, develop and implement a…

Based on the author's experience with the Atlas Community Project, this article identifies six different types of knowledge needed to mount a comprehensive reform effort: technical, resource, local, process, strategic, and organizational. Efforts to promote comprehensive changes do not necessarily make the reform processes markedly more successful…

Recognizing that traditional salary bargaining is divisive and that teacher salaries should remain competitive, Temple City (California) Unified School District has been experimenting with formula-based compensation for the past four years. Primary benefits are lack of conflict over salary increases, which are determined before negotiating other…

As educators battle restricted budgets, inflation, and enrollment changes, strategic sourcing management is replacing traditional transaction-based procurement. Procurement-card programs, allowing organizations to use credit cards for small purchases or low-value items, save time and enhance controls over merchants, credit limits, issuance limits,…

Examines the organization of contract research in the United Kingdom and the current system's benefits and problems for employers, employees, and sponsors, as well as policy initiatives. Concludes that the current system is deeply flawed and policy has failed to address the real issues. Fundamental changes are recommended. (Author/MSE)

Sexual abuse of students by teachers is a serious problem. A 1998 "Education Week" nationwide study identified 244 cases of inappropriate sexual behavior during one six-month period. Overly affectionate behavior, inappropriate noneducation-related contact, and harassing behaviors are warning signs. Administrators should craft policies, pay…

Article provides strategies that schools can use to promote prosocial behavior, student success, and a culture that values all people. Suggests schools can: (1) identify the nature of student needs; (2) encourage social bonding and academic achievement for all students; and (3) support beliefs in students and teachers that support nonviolence.…

Examines the implementation of quality programs in four organizations; the communication used to introduce the programs and to encourage employees to participate; and employees' perceptions of the programs, implementation activities, and change agents. Presents four key themes that emerged: creating and communicating vision; sensemaking and…

Reviews the literature on educational curricular change and applies findings to change in medical school settings. Found a consistent set of characteristics in the following areas associated with successful curricular change; these include: organizational mission and goals, history of organizational change, politics, organizational structure, need…

Calls for instructors and departments of foreign languages to pioneer in changing the intermediate language curriculum. Examines current foreign language teaching, especially as it affects the intermediate curriculum in higher education, and proposes five curriculum guidelines that meet the challenges posed by a changing academic environment.…

Presents a conversation among four leaders of Colby Sawyer College (New Hampshire), who offer a model for leadership and decision making based on collaboration. Discusses such aspects of governance as personal leadership styles, effective work groups, institutional mission, conversation as an institutional style, strategic planning, and change…

Discusses positive psychology, which focuses on health and well-being utilizing the elements of belief, hope, self-esteem, responsibility, elation, and wisdom as the basis of psychological theory and practice. Describes efforts to change the psychology field, including identifying promising young professionals, establishing monetary prizes, and…

Describes the early-intervention program experiences and perceptions of parents of children with disabilities. Discusses the perceived inability of service providers to discuss frankly the fiscal or staffing barriers to services and the emphasis on transdisciplinary teams over a family-centered philosophy. Provides recommendations for increased…

Describes Working to Achieve Visions of Excellence (WAVE), the change process used at the Savings Bank of Utica to achieve optimum team management. (JOW)