It is argued, based on the experiences of 16 small, diverse independent colleges, that small institutions can reverse decline. The analysis looks at signs of problems, patterns of institutional blindness to the problems that lead to additional decline, and behavior characteristics of the institutions that survive. (MSE)

Discussion of format changes in libraries focuses on managing change and phasing out older formats. Standardization is addressed, and five considerations regarding format shifts are examined: aesthetics, audience, compatibility, costs, and copyright. (MES)

Definitions, theory, and educational practice relevant to school readiness are discussed. Strategies to promote school readiness in the future should (1) redefine readiness and set performance standards; (2) redefine the assessment of readiness; and (3) reallocate the responsibility helping children get ready for school. (LB)

The shifting racial mix in U.S. society is having a profound effect on higher education in general and foreign languages in particular. Presupposing a campuswide administrative framework for diversity, this article presents considerations and steps for German departments, faculty, and teaching assistant trainers to adopt in the restructuring…

Explored attitudes of public child welfare caseworkers and child care staff toward policy and practice relating to youth who commit crimes, such as truancy, that would not be considered crimes if they were committed by adults. Respondents felt that courts need to mandate parental involvement in the cases of such youth. (BG)

A plan for revising nursing education proposes (1) direct transfer linkage to improve associate/bachelor's degree articulation; (2) partnerships for student transfer between junior and senior colleges; and (3) a terminal nurse associate program to prepare for long-term nursing home care. (SK)

Outlines methods to encourage faculty to teach courses in an interdisciplinary general education sequence. Strategies include offering incentives to faculty, obtaining administrative support, creating faculty development seminars, and increasing faculty collaboration across disciplines. (DMM)

Though sport, fitness, and active leisure are increasingly valued, secondary school physical education (PE) is often devalued. The America 2000 educational reform agenda offers a chance to restructure secondary PE based on guidelines which direct emerging trends in middle and high school restructuring. National and state leadership are crucial.…

After joining a statewide project to encourage continuous improvement in education, the City of Burlington (New Jersey) Public Schools tackled high school attendance problems, using a seven-step process based on defining reasons for improvement, assessing the current situation, performing a cause-and-effect analysis, formulating countermeasures…

Increasingly, gay and lesbian college students are pressuring institutions to bring their practices more in line with their rhetoric in such areas as Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) eligibility, curricular reform for inclusion of gay and lesbian studies, and improvement in the campus environment for these students. (MSE)

Introduces a series of articles about Canadian educational policy issues, comparing British and Canadian policymaking milieus during the 1980s. All the papers address wide-ranging attempts to reconstruct notions of commonness alongside concessions to, and celebrations of, linguistic and cultural plurality in an uncertain, postliberal world. This…

Trends in vocational education and training (VET) reform in Italy, Spain, and Portugal are examined in the context of European Community developments. The paper describes common problems (such as a low average qualification level), each country's current VET system, and specific strategies for structural change and program development. (DB)

Describes how one education reform strategist wants to establish a broad national examination system for American students which would be a powerful motivator to achieve. It would be based on the best aspects of foreign schools but address American diversity, assessing students' skills through a wide range of activities. (SM)

Discusses the need for strategic goal setting for libraries and information services and the relationship of this process to evolving technologies. The role of the library in a changing society is examined, the value of library services is considered, and a model for change is proposed. (nine references) (LRW)

Effective collaborative in-service teacher education (1) occurs in the school setting; (2) promotes reflection in action; (3) allows teacher ownership; (4) involves pupils and peers in evaluating the quality of the learning environment; and (5) reflects the educational values of the teacher. (SK)