In this article Chancellor Susan Koch considers the value of the honors program at her institute, the University of Illinois at Springfield. She begins by reflecting on her own under graduate experience at her alma mater, Dakota State University and explains how her experience there helped her to create the honors program at the University of…

This article is a retrospective description of the decisions, strategies, and context of program changes made at the USC Rossier School of Education, related specifically to the education doctorate. The primary purpose is to highlight the change process from the perspective of the academic dean. Drawing on work in systems change and strategic…

The powerful influence of peers in human development has been widely documented, particularly within education. Throughout the history of higher education, peer interactions have been a component of scholarly explorations of student types, campus cultures, and even the cycle of student "generations." In addition, most student development theories…

In this article, we share outcomes from the implementation of a ninth-grade academy in a large, comprehensive, Northern Plains, United States, school district. The article discusses the effectiveness of this reform in terms of the academic and social preparedness for students during the ninth-grade year and transition to high school. Findings…

This book presents the results and implications of a major new national study exploring the effects of institutional racial composition on African American students' development and their educational outcomes, taking into account individuals' background characteristics, their perceptions of the institutional environment, and their experiences in…

After serving as a middle level principal for more than 20 years, the author recently became principal of a sixth grade school. The tone of the school was remarkably different from a 6-8 or 5-8 middle school. In this article, the author shares some of the things he has learned about sixth graders. While other factors do influence students'…

Several theories about student unrest in the late 1960s and early 1970s are noted, and the situation and student population of La Trobe University at the time are described. It is proposed that the unrest was both an outgrowth of the political climate and a developmental experience for the individual students. (MSE)

This research brief highlights data from surveys of college administrators on the status of assessment policies and practices. The surveys addressed approaches to assessment, external mandates prompting assessment activity, skills or outcomes that are being assessed, assessment methods and procedures, and use of assessment results. The surveys…

Presents an overview of the field of school social work, discusses some problems commonly encountered by teachers, administrators, and social workers attempting to work together on behalf of students, and presents some guidelines for educators to facilitate the use of school social work. (Author)

This paper explores the myths surrounding the higher education of commuter students and investigates their needs and concerns. Today's college students include increasing numbers of adult, female, minority, and part-time students. Commuter students, i.e., those living off-campus, make up the largest and most diverse group. Many of these students…