The basic premise of the personnel evaluation technique described in this paper is that continuing improvement in performance should be the prime commitment of all professionals. Namely, both the evaluator and the one evaluated should initiate, develop, and pursue a plan of action together, as described in this paper. Also included is a sample…

Parent conferencing is a way to dramatically improve home/school relationships. Parent conferences, at their very best, provide the teacher with useful information about individual students. More importantly, however, they create a parent/teacher team atmosphere, with each member contributing his or her knowledge and experience for the benefit of…

This issue of the "Quarterly Resource" reviews the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the act's implications for Head Start programs, and offers suggestions for developing plans for complying with the provisions of the act. After a brief introduction, an overview of ADA is presented, followed by several examples and cost estimates…

Numerous studies indicate that climate, the prevailing "feeling" of the environment, not only contributes to behavioral and situational outcomes, but that climate can be changed to help bring about the behaviors and outcomes desired. Researchers have identified characteristics of positive school climates and ways of determining the…

The Research and Evaluation Branch of the Los Angeles Unified School District presents a bulletin to help prepare students to do their best on achievement tests. The bulletin is divided into five sections. After an introduction, section 2, "Characteristics of Today's Standardized Achievement Tests" discusses test content, test format,…

This report, addressed to administrators and board members, discusses teacher dismissals in light of such motivating factors as declining enrollment, teacher supply and demand, and budget problems. Divided into nine chapters, this how-to-do-it book discusses some of the following topics: facts and figures on the dismissal of teachers, alternatives…

The seven articles in this journal issue focus on the evaluation of reading programs at the elementary and secondary school levels. The articles contain (1) guidelines for evaluating reading materials, (2) a checklist designed to provide a broad overview of a school reading program, (3) an interview with Wayne Otto concerning techniques for…

In educating children with disabilities, training for independence should begin early, and the "technology" may be very simple. This paper lists activities designed to increase gross, fine motor, cognitive, and eye-hand coordination skills needed for independent living. It encourages caregivers to engage young children in active learning…

This brief discusses the transition of high school students with disabilities to adult life. Federal law provisions that require a transition plan for all students who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) are reviewed and a checklist is provided that outlines positive transition planning practices that can be used for self-evaluation and…

Information supplied in this bulletin stems from a review of the process the Creswell (Oregon) School District used in adopting its own energy conservation measures and in successfully applying for a construction grant for energy-efficient buildings. A number of questions that school districts may have in attempting to establish energy…

This journal issue, which is intended for individuals engaged in planning, providing, and evaluating learning opportunities in British further education (FE) colleges, provides a framework for selecting and evaluating teaching strategies for different learning situations. Among the topics discussed in section 1 are the following: key elements of…

This report, which is written for curriculum managers, student services managers, and learning support managers in further education (FE) colleges throughout the United Kingdom, summarizes and examines the results of a study in which eight FE colleges worked with the Further Education Development Agency to evaluate different approaches to learning…

"Title IX Line" is a periodic publication of The Center for Sex Equity in Schools, a desegregation assistance center funded by the U.S. Department of Education pursuant to Title IV of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Each issue is devoted to a separate topic. This compilation of 9 sequential issues treats the follwoing themes: (1) vocational…