A reading specialist provides tips for developing a student publishing center aimed at improving writing skills and involving students in all publishing operations. Steps include assembling a planning team, considering various models, gaining financial assistance, furnishing the center, gathering needed supplies, and launching the program. (MLH)

Reports on the Community College of Baltimore County's (CCBC) (Maryland) implementation of LearningFIRST, a plan intended to promote the evolution of CCBC into a learning institution. Six specific directions of the framework are mentioned, including: (1) learning is the core value and direction of CCBC; and (2) the student is central to the…

Describes Iowa Valley Community College District's Contribution Margin Budgeting (CMB) program, successfully implemented to stave off bankruptcy. In this program, each responsibility center receives credit for all income generated and is charged for all expenditures, and each must build its own reserve against revenue shortfalls and unanticipated…

To improve students' critical-thinking skills, an interdisciplinary team of educators collaborated with a specialist. The result: a new model for infusing thinking-skills instruction. This paper describes the change process, the CRTA model's evolution, derivation of its acronym, and early qualitative results. (Contains 31 references.) (MLH)

The Experience Corps for Independent Living is a volunteer service program designed to expand the independent living services available to frail elders and their families. Five first-year projects were able to serve a critical mass and promote community linkages. Three had active leadership development programs. (JOW)

Discusses problems in qualitative-research-practice instruction and describes a computer-based instructional system based on linking domain problems to particular pedagogic mechanisms, and then linking these mechanisms to various implementation decisions. Topics include skill transfer and relational-database management systems. (Author/LRW)

Examined implementation of the "Looking After Children" (LAC) materials in 12 local authorities in England. Found that only 10 of 757 case files contained no LAC documentation. Standards of completion varied among local authorities, different forms, area offices, and groups of children. Completion was better for children admitted to the…

Along with the restructuring of educational programs must come the restructuring of resources. Schools should review all resources, including the ones for teacher development, to focus on serving students optimally. Under the new Title I schoolwide programs of the Improving America's Schools Act, this is easier and more logical than before. (SLD)

Evaluated 30 Community Action Program for Children (CAPC) projects in Ontario, Canada. CAPC is a Canadian federal government initiative that funds community groups in activities supporting child development and strengthening families. Identified categories of program activities and project outcomes, and found that most projects have adopted…

Suggests the field of education has paid little attention to complexities involved in large-scale replication of curricular changes and other new directions for school-based interventions, which has contributed to the failure of many reforms. Highlights a framework of general phases and specific steps for diffusion of major new approaches across a…

Reports on a longitudinal study examining implementation of a Quality Management reform based on Deming's seven principles. Interview and survey data from a national sample of purposefully chosen high schools show limited results as to teachers' effective use and institutionalization of TQM principles. The principal's role is critical. (Contains…

The push to implement classroom technology, regardless of cost or real benefit, often intrudes on making wise choices. Strong technology candidates will provide a compelling extension to ongoing classroom work, be good curriculum enhancers, offer cost-effective software and equipment options, and offer a gentle professional-development learning…

Policymakers are placing tremendous faith in assessment, a technology with many limitations. Assessment-driven improvement policy uses mandatory testing to leverage desired change, but it narrows the curriculum, punishes teachers for things beyond their control, expands bureaucracy, and does not work. Alternative strategies for school leaders are…

Attributes of a successful school district include a sterling reputation; a high-quality management team; sound preparation for students' future; ability to attract, develop, and retain quality staff; a sound financial position; leadership that earns loyalty; hard and soft values; innovation and commitment; community stewardship; and character.…

Examines the transference of transformational leadership models to an English educational context in the light of globalization pressures and the current government's response to these models. Defining headteacher success as achievement of centrally imposed outcome measures furthers professional cultures that hamper achievement of transformational…