Several large-scale programs are known for having a substantial positive effect on student achievement. Although each program used different approaches, they have many common elements that worked in very different school districts that serve quite different populations. Provides thumbnail descriptions of five such programs. (MLF)

Suggests that insights from the discipline of literary theory can generate new agendas for the study of foreign literature. A detailed description is provided of a foreign language and literature program at Michigan Technological University, including its implications for intercultural studies and film. (JL)

Describes the methods, materials, and process of a curriculum and group work model that provides an alternative approach for addressing academic and social skills developments. Provides a theoretical framework, including baseline data, an overview of learning theory, and a brief cultural history. The group itself focused on members' strengths.…

Currently, only one-third of U.S. students read at acceptably high levels. Designed for inclusive programs, Reading Styles recognizes that everyone, not just "handicapped" students, has varying strengths and weaknesses. The program identifies youngsters' individual strengths; matches reading methods, materials, and strategies to these…

Describes the two very different support and training models employed by the University of Virginia and the College of William and Mary in successfully confronting information technology challenges. (EV)

In the corporate world, more and more companies have begun to use a more effective method of evaluating prospective employees. It is estimated that by 1996, approximately 20 to 30 percent of the nation's large companies had begun to use this more effective method known as behavioral-based interviewing (BI). This article explains what BI is and…

Community-engaged scholarship (CES) is gaining legitimacy in higher education. However, challenges of institutionalizing and sustaining it as a core value remain. Significant barriers exist for faculty choosing to incorporate CES into their teaching and research. Faculty development programs are a key mechanism for advancing faculty skills as well…

The University of North Carolina Mobile Student Health Action Coalition (UNC MSHAC) at Chapel Hill, North Carolina is a voluntary service-learning program in which interdisciplinary teams of graduate level health professional students provide monthly home visits to isolated, community-dwelling elders with complex medical and social issues.…

Research continues to support the many teaching and learning benefits of one-to-one laptop learning. Benefits range from improved student engagement and teacher-student interactions to the attainment of 21st century skills and the transformation of teacher practice. Additional benefits include improved student writing skills, increased teacher…

In this paper we describe a model for a science fair, within the context of an elementary science methods course. We first describe the theoretical perspectives from which the idea of science fairs derives and we provide definitions as we sketch the characteristics of commonly used science fairs. We then describe the context and processes of a…

The original mission of the state and land-grant university was to engage with communities to solve problems and improve the quality of life for the citizenry. Today most state and land-grant universities have moved far away from their original mission and are struggling to become engaged with the communities they serve. In this case study, we…

The University of Wisconsin-Stout, recipient of the Baldrige National Quality Award in 2001, developed a planning system that has evolved into a comprehensive and collaborative process for visioning, developing and implementing goals, and tracking university performance. This chapter describes the tactics that have contributed greatly to the…

Building Educated Leaders for Life (BELL) is a national not-for-profit organization whose mission is to increase the educational achievements, self-esteem, and life opportunities of elementary school children living in low-income urban communities. BELL has been engaged in formal evaluation, internally and externally, for more than five years and…

The relevance of administrative preparation programs has been questioned. The questions center around how well programs are preparing school leaders to deal with the myriad of requirements placed in front of them (i.e. demands relate to issues of accountability, changing demographics, aging professionals, demanding publics, and school…

The script for a slide show which describes the goal-setting process undertaken by the Elkhart (Indiana) Community Schools to determine educational priorities is presented along with reproductions of the slides used in the show. Topics covered in the script and the slide reproductions include: (1) background information on the Elkhart schools; (2)…