Urban schools tend to be bureaucratic, politicized, and isolated from state-of-the-art practices and the knowledge-utilization loop. The articles in this special issue examine current and potential strategies for effective knowledge dissemination and utilization as a key intervention process. The idea is to stimulate rethinking and promote…

Proposes a radical reorientation of American universities toward helping solve real-world problems--particularly those in a university's local community. Argues that such an orientation can be achieved through communal participatory action-research projects designed to advance general knowledge and human welfare. Describes a University of…

Dissents with Virginia Sauve's argument that "culture is not about content, but about the making and remaking of relationships." The article argues that there is a strong knowledge basis for any culture and that stereotypes of other cultures evolve from knowledge of how people act and talk. The article concludes that Canadians must share…

Focuses on the proper place of interlanguage pragmatics in the realm of second-language acquisition (SLA). This introductory essay describes the thematic issue of the ensuing articles as an endeavor to move interlanguage pragmatics more closely toward the center of SLA. The research suggests that many aspects of pragmatic competence can be…

To be useful for management decision making, the college or university's cost accounting system must capture and measure improvements. Activity-based costing (ABC), which determines more accurately the full costs of services and products, tracks improvements and should proceed alongside reengineering of institutional accounting. Guidelines are…

Addresses problems, concerns, and ramifications of the creation of new area codes so existing seven-digit numbers can be reused and solutions to help the depletion of toll-free 800 numbers. Examines effects of these changes on businesses and their phone customers, telephone companies, and patron questions to libraries. (JMV)

A discussion of the debate over multicultural education in colleges and universities looks at the evolution of the movement and examines some myths about it that threaten its effectiveness. An effective approach to multiculturalism is seen to have implications for institutional philosophy, structure, operations, and academic programs. Concrete…

The merger of the University of Detroit and Mercy College (Michigan) is chronicled from early conversations through preparation and decision making. Salient issues that had to be addressed, especially persistent conflicts, and lessons learned from the experience are noted. (MSE)

Frontloading is a learning strategy used in adventure education in which participants are briefed on the learning objectives prior to the activity, thereby encouraging learning to take place before or during the event. Describes indirect frontloading techniques (paradox and double binds) that facilitate learning with clients who have…

Two articles look at higher education public relations issues. The first reviews three studies of public opinion of higher education, undertaken through broad survey, focus groups, and a survey of civic leaders. In the second article, five college and university public relations professionals reveal their battle plans to respond to public…

Describes how an institution seeking to improve its course quality can conduct a collective self-evaluation based on an internally designed checklist. The article maintains that this self-evaluation may be used to prepare for an external inspection or built into the institution's on-going program of staff development. (nine references) (Author/CK)

School boards must take the responsibility for school change, beginning with an attack on illiteracy. Reasonable standards for success in teaching reading, writing, and math must be established. (MLF)

In the process of restructuring its debt and taking on additional debt, Franklin Pierce College (New Hampshire) accepted the consequences of a downgrade in its investment-grade rating. This resulted in a successful bond sale, with bonds carrying an insured single-A rating. Events leading up to the restructuring and credit issues considered by the…

Discusses improvements to preschool education in rural France as a result of a 1992 ruling by the Minister of Education. Considers strategies adopted, including peripatetic/itinerant teachers, occasional groupings of very small classes for joint project work, and bringing children together in one setting from three smaller ones. (JPB)

The Manitoba School Improvement Program Inc. (MSIP) acts as a "critical friend" to support risk-taking secondary school teachers. Suggested school improvement strategies include mobilizing staff commitment, broadening leadership and participation bases, and developing systematic inquiry for school self-evaluation. Successful schools are…