The "Value-Added School Review (VSR)" is an analytical model designed to assist schools in identifying and addressing opportunities for school improvement. The model works best when it is focused purposefully on students and the student learning outcomes as defined in the "Guide to Education". It complements the processes…

Co-author of the popular titles "Booktalking Bonanza" and "The Early Literacy Kit", Betsy Diamant-Cohen brings together 18 examples of successful outreach partnerships that children's librarians and administrators can adapt to their own situations. Contributors from the U.S and Canada explain how they partnered with schools,…

Presentations on NCIP (North American Collections Inventory Project) program developments and future program directions are combined with business meeting minutes in this report from the Association of Research Libraries (ARL). The text of remarks presented as part of a panel discussion on the program theme includes: (1) "Development and Use…

A key issue in redesigning college and university business processes is whether new processes should be enabled by information systems that focus on them or share highly integrated data and common methods with older processes. An approach used at the University of Saskatchewan (Canada) that entailed reorganization, reorientation, and retooling is…

Consisting of five sections, this paper presents the policy of the British Columbia (Canada) Ministry of Education regarding the organization of educational services for students through provincial curriculum and assessment programs. It also provides guidance to school and district personnel as they carry out their responsibilities to interpret…

Describes an innovative freshman chemistry program in which course sequences have been designed to accommodate students with strong or weak chemistry backgrounds or with no previous chemistry at all. Includes information on courses offered, instructional strategies, and laboratory examinations. (JN)

The process used by the University of British Columbia to establish and improve an undergraduate hospital dentistry program is chronicled. The program's initial structure and objectives, use of student input for program improvement, and the success of the approach in developing an effective program are discussed. (MSE)

The University of British Columbia (Canada) Dental School uses teaching and research mentors for new faculty, together with a structured semiannual review process, to clearly identify faculty expectations for tenure. Pretenure faculty have appreciated the clear and regular input concerning their progress, and mentors enjoy the interaction with…

Points out eight factors consistently associated with effective schools (academic focus, student participation in decision-making, etc.) and eight common problems with effective schools projects (short-term focus, unrealistic expectations, etc.). Summarizes successful projects at a K-12 village school and an urban junior high school. (JHZ)

Based on a general guide to the evaluation of programs of studies published by Quebec's Commission d'evaluation de l'enseignement collegial, this guide offers information and describes Commission requirements for planning and completing evaluations of computer science, programmer/analyst, and micro-computer technology programs. The first section…

It is argued that well-conceived college and university mission statements can be useful in setting objectives for planning and for public information dissemination and marketing. The experience of the University of Calgary (Alberta) illustrates a successful process of drafting and reaching agreement on such a document. (MSE)

This monograph describes and assesses the value of a program for the certification of those aspiring to the principalship in Ontario. An existing program, offered through the Centre for Principal Development at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, was taken as a point of departure for the period. From this experience, a prototype…

The Curriculum Outcomes Review and Evaluation system of outcomes assessment for accreditation of Canadian dental faculties is described. Features include chart reviews; evaluation of diagnosis and treatment planning and case presentation for a student sample; structured clinical observation; presite visit survey; and solicitation of feedback from…

A handbook for teachers and administrators of second language programs in Alberta's schools suggests principles and guidelines for planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating full or partial immersion programs, focusing on the framework for program planning and implementation, information for developing realistic program expectations, and…

Since 1973 the Canadian government has effected a major policy change in Indian education which is characterized by a new awareness and willingness to let native people control their education and administer their schools. The new mentality with regard to native education is producing improvements, although changes are slow. Native students…