Outlines some considerations a principal should keep in mind when planning a middle school. (IRT)

Suggestions to strengthen the program planning process and to match communication strategies with program objectives include selecting the right people, limiting group size, naming a facilitator, agreeing on a technique, respecting opinions, identifying audiences, reviewing market research, listening to clients, and selecting the right media. (JOW)

If planners want to be ethically responsible for the consequences of their work, all who are affected by the program should be at the planning table. The reality of planning is that those with the most power will construct programs according to their interests. Planners must take responsibility to foster substantive involvement. (JOW)

Presents a chronology of events in the development of the Maryland Association for Institutional Research as it marks its 15th anniversary. (EV)

Focusing on research administrators, discusses how an effective training program improves employee performance by including comprehensive needs assessment, employing appropriate training methodologies, and anticipating factors beyond the actual training event that influence the transfer of skills from the training environment to the work…

The article identifies common concerns in residential programs for persons with autism (the role of families, staff training, program components, interactions with the nonhandicapped community) as well as areas of variation among different programs including goals, size, funding, physical environment, vocational programing, and grouping of…

Results of a survey of national, state, regional, and local career associations, with data from 96 associations, reflect what is happening in and through career associations. They describe association membership, structure, governance, programs, and purposes. (JOW)

Discusses the development of six swing-bed programs in rural hospitals located in Arizona. Programs described illustrate the diversity across swing-bed sites and the need for an individualized hospital and community orientation. (Author)

Examines ways of developing successful climbing programs in athletic facilities through a sound business plan augmented by climbing challenges that keep climbers interested. Ideas for attracting new climbers and retaining climber interest are highlighted. (GR)

The planning wheel considers the interaction of six components of program planning. Within a macro/micro systems approach, the model incorporates internal and external forces that influence economic development by capturing political, social, cultural, technological, and economic forces. (SK)

To empower youth, professionals should share information, create autonomy through boundaries, and examine their role by focusing on management of youth development rather than event coordination. (SK)

Provides a detailed plan for sheltering all learning in an organization under a strategic umbrella. Areas considered include governance, vision/mission, funding, organization, stakeholders, products/services, learning partners, technology, measurement, and ongoing communication. (JOW)

Offers suggestions for creating a successful college lecture program. Provides tips in the areas of vision, selecting a topic, selecting speakers, publicity, the care and feeding of speakers, and surviving as a student host. (EV)

To help older adults (N=212) initiate and adhere to a regular exercise program, a seven step approach was developed and implemented in a continuing care retirement community. Results indicate that older adults can exercise safely and that regular exercise will improve physical fitness, prevent injury and disease and improve quality of life.…

Defines ISO 9000, the quality control standard of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and looks at the benefits of ISO certification. Looks at the four levels of ISO 9000 and discusses the construction of training courses to prepare ISO documentation. (JOW)