This paper points out the importance of special educators' communication skills in effective collaboration. The basic components of face-to-face communication are discussed, emphasizing the role of the speaker and listener. An explanation of the process of active listening is also included, noting possible verbal and nonverbal listener responses.…

Three administrative building blocks for supporting collaborative processes in schools are discussed: program advocacy based on a school climate of trust and good communication between staff and administration, visible participation by administrators to build credibility, and support for maintenance and durability of the program. (JDD)

Studies work lives of 21 female urban school superintendents focusing on perceived sources of job satisfaction, personal benefits from the job, sense of self-fulfillment, and personal strengths brought to the job. Results indicate that female superintendents use collegial approaches in highly bureaucratic and structured systems. (SLD)

A discussion of shared governance in American college culture looks at the nature and traditions of this form of governance, examines Birnbaum's model of the two cores (academic and administrative) of the college, and explores how changes in technical systems and the higher education environment affect student learning and the ability of faculty…

To demystify the grant-seeking and proposal-writing process, two administrators at Kutztown University (Pennsylvania) began a standing committee to train, encourage, and help faculty members assist each other. The committee has offered collaboration, social support, and technical expertise; the result has been an increase in grant proposals and…

Identifies eight characteristics of college culture that are supportive of teaching, and shows the importance of readily available feedback from different sources (colleagues, consultants, chairs, students, self). Such feedback helps address the need for self-determination and excellence in teaching, provides opportunities for faculty learning and…

Examines the work of the college or university chief financial officer (CFO) in government relations, focusing on the CFO's responsibilities, methods of working with state legislatures, pitfalls in legislative relations, and special problems faced by institutions in capital cities. (Author/MSE)

Describes a system partnership program model in which schools, social services agencies, and criminal justice agencies, collaborate to serve high-risk young adolescents. The model features a services integration strategy that promotes joint planning and which results in a closely coordinated response by schools, social services, and…

Examines factors influencing research-practice gaps in the assessment and treatment of adults with neurologic communication disorders. Both researchers and clinicians are urged to learn alternative research strategies, build partnerships, and take advantage of new information technologies. Strategies are suggested for directly applying, adapting,…

A survey of 51 university and agency-based interprofessional education training programs found that family member involvement in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of interprofessional collaboration and curricular attention to family-professional collaboration were present in a small number of programs. Recommendations for increasing…

Describes the dialogue between an American researcher and others as she planned and carried out a study of women's literacy programs in rural Mali. Discusses the researcher's status in relation to the organization administering the programs, cultural differences in terms of researcher versus practitioner and Westerner versus African, and reasons…

In serving students, financial aid officers must address issues outside the scope of the financial aid program, including admissions, academic policy, institutional bureaucracy, student consumer education, and pricing. These require policy decisions and resource allocations the financial aid administrator cannot make alone. Cooperation and support…

Compares results of a national survey of college administrators' work-role satisfaction and values with those of academics surveyed earlier, identifying crucial areas of difference in values attached to work and the perceptions of work practices. Issues and tensions in the everyday work interface between academics and administrators are seen as…

Documents the process of exploring the Reggio Emilia approach in Head Start classrooms in Iowa. Describes areas of exploration, including revising the classroom environments and daily schedules, using more documentation, instituting child-initiated projects, and collaborating on a deeper level with colleagues. Includes excerpts from children's…

Distance education is generally seen as a very isolating experience for students, but one often forgets that it can be an equally isolating experience for teaching staff who oftentimes work in isolation from colleagues. This study examines the experiences of nine tutors at the Reading and Writing Centres of one of the 10 biggest universities in…