Discusses the advantages and disadvantages of outsourcing remote access to campus computer networks and the Internet, focusing on improved service, cost-sharing, partnerships with vendors, supported protocols, bandwidth, scope of access, implementation, support, network security, and pricing. Includes a checklist for a request for proposals on…

Inclusion is both a philosophy based on social justice and a practice requiring significant adaptations by the school community. This article presents qualitative data on over 200 Queensland (Australia) principals toward inclusion. Responses suggest the majority are "qualified" inclusionists. Although mindful of social-justice…

Information specialists at the National Center for Manufacturing Sciences (NCMS) Manufacturing Information Resource Center (MIRC) contribute expertise, information, and skills to their customer teams. This article describes three librarian customer partnerships, shares recommendations from experienced teams for fostering librarian customer…

A survey of 200 organizations in the United Kingdom workflow market found that across a number of markets there was a consistent need for workflow software and that the technology has moved into the mainstream. Discussion includes system implementation; users and future users; interoperability; and workflow applications. (AEF)

In 1987, Yale University's Edward Zigler introduced the School of the 21st Century (21C), a model designed to enable schools to provide family support and child care services for children from infancy to age 12. Criticized as unfeasible, the decade-old program is now operating in 500 schools in 17 states and has helped redefine the family/school…

Study of reform activity in 57 urban school districts found the typical urban district had launched almost 12 significant initiatives from 1992 to 1995. The problem is not too little reform, but too many high-profile initiatives and transitory superintendents. Quick fixes are inimical to sustained improvement and distract attention from such…

Responses of 246 internal and external evaluators about reporting and communicating results show that most use traditional reporting formats, are only moderately satisfied with reporting efforts, recognize many constraints to reporting, and consider high stakeholder involvement essential to effective evaluation. (SLD)

Though education for librarianship is contentious, the literature reveals a renewed emphasis on the value of practicum components. This article examines fieldwork in library education at Queensland University of Technology in Australia, highlighting the rationale for fieldwork, its aims and objectives, problems of implementation, benefits, and…

Presents a case study of Second Chance, a successful academic support program for minority undergraduate students. Describes the program's five components and the major impediments to its success, and discusses the program's outcomes relative to their duplication and reasonable expectations. (GR)

St. Louis, Missouri's New City School begins each academic year by teaching multiple-intelligences theory to its students and by educating parents via portfolio nights. There is heavy emphasis on the personal intelligences, since the abilities to work with others and to capitalize on individual strengths are the keys to successful adulthood. (MLH)

To gauge their feelings about the first five years under the Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA), school library media specialists were asked how professional roles and programs had changed, how library media programs supported specific KERA strands, and how continuing education or professional development activities had been helpful. Includes…

Describes a program to develop students' oral language skills, a critical component of language arts in the preschool through sixth-grade curriculum. States that, for each level, a master list was comprised to help teachers discuss the creation of a continuum of oral language objectives. Finds the program made teachers, parents, and students…

Although inclusion is recommended as "best practice," there is little implementation research from the parent's viewpoint. This article presents the experiences of one mother actively involved in making inclusion work for her child. Tracey's story focuses on the importance of developing parent-professional partnerships to secure a…

Proposes an alternative structure for the accreditation visiting teams of the North Central Association, advocating the organization of teams into five smaller, interdisciplinary units. Describes suggested team activities, benefits for faculty serving on interdisciplinary teams, and suggestions for schools interested in implementing the team…

The City of Phoenix offers a five-day river-based camping experience to at-risk and disabled teens. Describes how professional river outfitters are contracted to run the trips, staffing considerations, liability and safety considerations, and camper orientation. Evaluation showed that participants received lasting measurable benefits, including…