Includes nine papers that were presented at the White House Conference on School Libraries in 2002. Highlights include the importance of books and access to information in today's society; the role of school librarians; the importance of school libraries; how to change perceptions of school libraries; and how school libraries can improve student…

An overview is provided of the President's Commission on Excellence in Special Education's report. Four recommendations are discussed: focus on results not on process; embrace a model of prevention not a model of failure; consider children with disabilities as general education children first; and target funds for direct services. (Contains 5…

Describes the characteristics of effective leadership and leaders, observing that good leadership entails the judicious balancing of stability and change, the incorporation of diverse opinions including those of subordinate as well as dominant individuals and groups, and the ability to learn from school discord and failure. Asserts that good…

Discusses organizational change strategies that school districts can adopt to help all students achieve at high levels. Provides a chart classifying organizational strategies. Draws implications for superintendents using these strategies. (PKP)

Defines biorhetoric as a discourse of bodysigns. Explores the ways in which a biorhetoric offers the possibility of effecting radical change by positioning educators within the ambiguous interplay of materiality and semiosis. Examines biorhetoric as a tool for and a medium of change by exploring facets of its double vision. Offers an enactment of…

Examined a conceptualization of teacher leadership (derived from a 1997 study) in a range of school reform case studies. Focused on the interactivity of teacher leaders and administrator leaders and generated a concept called "parallel leadership," a strategy that appears to illuminate ways in which school-based leadership may contribute to…

Discusses the adverse effects of computer anxiety on student performance and reports an application of a change management process to a class on computers in business that attempted to reduce computer anxiety and improve learning and performance through a pedagogical intervention. Considers implications of results that showed lower anxiety but not…

Describes communication process in counseling as an intervention for client change, in and of itself, and not just the medium by which a counselor applies his or her specific counseling approaches. Provides a culturally embedded model of communication to illustrate how effective communication alters the framework and depths of understanding of…

Advocates of reform in college athletics have been too ambiguous and too timid. Higher education must admit the value and contributions of intercollegiate athletics, be willing to demand and accept the dramatic changes needed, devise fair and realistic new rules, communicate them widely, and not tolerate those who ignore them. (MSE)

More states and school districts are using nontraditional means to recruit and certify teachers. This article distinguishes between alternative and emergency certification, outlines components of successful alternative certification programs, lists advantages, and describes some presidential initiatives and a federally funded Mid-Career Teacher…

Second evaluation of abstinence-only adolescent pregnancy prevention program included 528 subjects. None of desired changes in attitudes or behavior (premarital sexual attitudes, sexual behaviors, self-esteem, family communication) occurred for total sample or for virgins in sample. Findings question federal policy of relying exclusively on…

The paper describes the steps necessary to integrate a preschool program to increase least restrictive environment options for preschoolers with developmental handicaps, and reviews the case study of one preschool undergoing integration. Described are the rationale for change, the change process, daily activity schedule, and sample continuums for…

W. Edwards Deming's concepts offer an integrated approach to quality schooling. Three barriers must be overcome: fear of industrial models, poor knowledge of workers and work processes, and unquestioned beliefs. Instead, educators must develop community understanding and commitment, establish business-education partnerships, and manage schools as…

At an appropriate distance, the President's stated intention to create drug-free schools by 2000 appears impeccable. Although youthful drug abuse has declined, the lower usage levels are still destructively high. A systemic approach to preventing drug abuse must occur in schools, in the work place, on the highways, in public places, and in…

Although high school students' primary focus should be academics, athletics often become their justification for being. Playing against extremely high odds of making it into professional sports, many high school basketball and football players (30 percent) are illiterate. We must work collaboratively to empower minority students by offering…