Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to present the author's commentary on the special issue of "Journal of Educational Administration" entitled "Systemwide Reform: Examining Districts under Pressure". Design/methodology/approach: The author gives her personal opinions, draws upon her recent experiences in the national…

In 2011, PayPal co-founder Peter Theil introduced the first Thiel Foundation Fellows--students who agreed to drop out of college to do scientific research, start a tech company, or work in a social movement. Although this may have been seen as a radical and daring idea at the time, 400 people applied for 24 scholarship awards of $100,000 apiece.…

Around the world there is a preoccupation with improving the performance of schools and school systems. Comparisons made between countries through PISA and PERLs have led to a preoccupation, and in some cases, an obsession, with securing a high position in the international league tables. The minds of policy-makers and politicians alike are…

There is a paradox at the heart of the education debate on building the best generation of teachers. Ministers criticise teachers for not raising standards. Yet their answer is to change the governance structures of school. Why not address the real challenge--how to raise the status and quality of teaching in this country? It matters far more what…

In an interview with Educational Leadership, Frederick M. Hess talks about greenfield schooling--a policy approach that attempts to knock down the formal and informal barriers that stand in the way of innovation in education. Greenfield schooling, he explains, "doesn't imagine that we should go around razing districts or schools or taking…

The editors of this issue of the "Journal for Teacher Education" invited experienced scholars working in different teacher education fields and research traditions to share their bold ideas drawn from personal understandings of their fields and research. The new editorial team for the "Journal of Teacher Education" has published these scholars'…

In fall 2007, nine Catholic colleges and universities began a collaborative process to explore ways Catholic institutions of higher education (CIHE) could increase effective support of pre-K-12 Catholic schools. This new organization, Catholic Higher Education Collaborative (CHEC), committed to hosting a series of six conferences focused on…

The educational scenario in India country is now passing through an era of renovation and refinement. The school education as well as higher education is included in this rejuvenation, with least consideration to teacher education. Pedagogic changes gained momentum by the inception of nation wide schemes such as MLL, DPEP, SSA and the emerging…

Janet Napolitano is the governor of Arizona and chair of the National Governor's Association. Napolitano, a Democrat, has brought a new energy to her state and to the nation with initiatives that demonstrate the fact that she really means business. Topping the list is Innovation America, which aims to drive American competitiveness via government…

Offers six lessons learned from intentionally innovative colleges as guideposts for change for institutions striving to attain increased effectiveness and efficiency: create a self-fulfilling prophecy; cultivate the whole, not just the parts; build a culture of engagement; honor experiential learning; sell hard; and find a subsidy or innovate…

In this article, the author discusses how an instructional leader can overcome organizational inertia and create a genuine systemic change by starting small. To make a successful change, an organization must do the following: (1) Find the right staff and a powerful idea; (2) Provide a sponsor; (3) Start small; (4) Get results; (5) Find a…

Proposes replacing the current approach to medical residents' education, which specifies a fixed time of training, with competency-based training. Reviews the basis of traditional residency training and its problems (both the fixed time and uncertainty of evaluation methods). Discusses the competency-based approach, probability that some residents…

Examines how the First World War prompted British museums to change their educational functions. Discusses museums in pre-war Britain, wartime exhibitions and educational activities, the outcome of the war experience, and First World War's implications for education in museums. (GEA)

This paper recounts the story of education pioneer Sarah Winnemucca (1844-1891), a self-educated Northern Paiute Indian who spent her life trying to improve the living conditions and education of the Paiutes. Most of what is known about Sarah comes from her autobiography, "Life among the Piutes: Their Wrongs and Claims," first printed…

First pointing out educational innovations in the public schools of Florida and accomplishments of public schools in general, this address briefly indicates six ways to provide support for effective teachers, discusses "new realities" affecting educational practices, and describes the roles of state and national government in education. (RH)