Maintains that communication consultants can help increase organizational effectiveness by therapeutically applying communication research, especially interpretive research, to organizational development. Describes a six-step model of therapeutic organizational communication consultation. Presents an organizational development study to illustrate…

The Regular Education Teacher Consultant program was initiated to provide a support system to general education teachers who are teaching mainstreamed special needs students. Regular education teachers were selected as peer consultants and received training on behavioral principles, positive teaching techniques, observation codes, academic…

To improve its reading program, a Pennsylvania district involved its teachers in retaining consultants who would work collaboratively with them. This model has been used in each of four elementary schools for the past seven years. The district allocates $1,800 per school for consultants, instructional materials, and substitutes who release…

After conducting 10 interviews with outstanding educators for the "Educational Leadership" portrait series, the author realized his subjects had more in common than extraordinary achievement. They shared patterns constituting a leitmotif in their careers--characteristics such as vision, tenacity, recursiveness, time commitment, and…

Four actions are necessary when contracting to do staff development: recognize that a presenter is a consultant first, arrange for a group contracting conversation in order to completely understand the school's needs, work from a standard set of design questions, and work from a standard set of logistics questions. (SM)

Illustrates some potential ethical conflicts inherent in being both a member of a college faculty and a consultant. Presents two case studies, one involving using university facilities and the other involving a political matter. (SR)

This is the first in a projected series of articles by a library design consultant on the design of new facilities for the Calcasieu Parish (Louisiana) Library System. The overall plan for new buildings, additions, and remodeling is described; budgeting, scheduling, and background planning are discussed; and project goals are explained. (LRW)

Determines, for reading specialists in general and for reading specialists in the federally funded Chapter 1 program specifically, (1) their professional training; (2) their actual responses as compared to their perceived "ideal" responsibilities; and (3) their topic preferences for in-service education offerings. (RS)

Presents and discusses common ethical issues elementary school counselors encounter in their consulting role and cites implications for practice. Concludes first and foremost school counselors need to ensure that they have the knowledge and skills necessary to practice consultation effectively. (ABL)

Although real hostage situations have happened in schools, there is little information on the subject. Roger A. Bell, a psychiatrist and FBI consultant who has served as a negotiator in hostage-taking situations, designed a response that puts principals in charge before the SWAT team arrives. A mock exercise conducted at a Louisville (Kentucky)…

Issuing municipal bonds requires many decisions and involves a number of individuals. Traces basic and essential steps to ensure a successful endeavor. (MLF)

Notes that preliminary results from ongoing research into school restructuring suggest that certain elements are necessary to facilitate empowerment. Discusses how counselors can use these findings to become effective participants, helping schools become more empowering. Sees set of essential attitudes, decision-making process, and set of…

Once a college or university has chosen a consultant, details of the relationship may need negotiation, and a contract protecting both parties must be drawn up and signed. A range of contract options is available, depending on the nature, cost, and sensitivity of the work to be done. (Author/MSE)

When the Darlington County (South Carolina) Public Schools invited consultants to audit the district, findings concerning ineffective policies, funding inequities, and curriculum quality were devastating. However, auditors' recommendations regarding board policy development, elimination of instructional fees, central office reorganization, and…

Assessed extent and nature of involvement of school counselors in parenting skills training and parent consultation. Findings from 213 elementary and secondary school counselors revealed that school counselors on all levels recognized importance of working with parents for benefit of students, yet many had little contact with parents. Many…