Describes the history and production of the TV program Sesame Street and its educational contribution to society. Also discusses the affective and cognitive goals and teaching methodology of the program. (RJC)

The escalation of commitment has been variously labeled the psychology of entrapment, the sunk cost effect, and the too-much-invested-to-quit syndrome. This article reviews the state of research and describes four major determinants: project; psychological; social; and organizational variables. A model is provided. (YP)

Drawing from a literature review, interviews, and a survey of practitioners' perceptions, this article examines changing conditions within community colleges and their likely effects on student development programs and services. Advances a new model for student development educators based on principles of collaborative goal setting. (DMM)

Discusses six elements necessary to effect change in a community college: the motivation to change, a vision of the future, knowledge of the institution's present status, a planning framework and process, adequate personnel and financial resources, and an evaluation/assessment mechanism. (DMM)

Excerpt from a planning guide to be used with the new guidelines for school library media programs developed cooperatively by the American Association of School Librarians and the Association for Educational Communications and Technology offers guidance in communicating the purposes of the planning process, outlining a timeline, and determining…

Describes the status of the North Central Association's Commission on Institutions of Higher Education. Reviews the mission and culture of the Commission and characteristics of institutional membership. Assesses the impact of September 1994 revisions of criteria and general institutional requirements and summarizes accrediting activities for 1994.…

Examines the value of professional associations, and discusses their benefits, including networking, technological advancements, sharing of knowledge, cost-effectiveness, and career opportunities. Identifies the elements of a successful association: (1) mission; (2) vision; (3) objectives; and (4) strategy. Also describes procedures for setting up…

Reprints an interview with Dale Parnell conducted in 1981 when he became president of the American Association of Community and Junior Colleges, providing a 1991 update on Parnell's original plans and goals for the association and the two-year college movement which have since become components of the association's work. (DMM)

Presents Aurora (Colorado) Public Schools' generic plan for effecting school improvement, which consists of four tools: (1) outcomes-oriented strategic planning; (2) performance-based education to help students achieve learner and content outcomes; (3) performance-based graduation requirements; and (4) shared decision making among the district's…

Examines differences between library management and information resource management (IRM). Highlights include a historical perspective of library management education and IRM; the organizational perspective of library management and the emphasis of information as a resource in IRM; library management and advances in information technology; and…

Describes the process by which Yakima Valley Community College developed a mission statement reflecting community needs and the fiscal status of the state's educational institutions. Considers the characteristics of students, faculty, setting and content, and details needs identified by faculty. Presents the college's statements of philosophy,…

Discusses the role of meetings in improving job performance, identifies adult learning principles that may enhance the planning and delivery of business meetings, describes the component parts of business meetings, and presents a matrix that integrates adult learning principles with the management of business meetings. (Six references) (LRW)

A personal history of the Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders (CCBD) is given, with special attention to CCBD's beginnings. The organization's development is traced and CCBD's political activism is recalled, including position papers and cooperative efforts with other groups. Changes in the field of behavioral/emotional disorders are…

Examines popular approaches to performance and organizational improvement to see what flaws they contain and how continued practice will impede progress. Discusses benchmarking; quality management/continuous improvement; needs assessment; training; downsizing; reengineering; system(s) approach; and strategic planning. Describes the Organizational…

Discusses the role of an organization's leadership to create an environment where employees can develop a sense of control. Topics include keeping employees informed; clear organizational direction; motivation, that is driven by goals and effort; dealing with success and failure; consistency; group influence; values, incentives, and rewards; and…