Since 1970, 12 states (California, Oregon, Minnesota, Nevada, Iowa, Kentucky, Georgia, Indiana, Wyoming, West Virginia, North Dakota, and Hawaii) have created autonomous boards directly accountable to legislatures to control standards and practices for education professionals. These boards are establishing rigorous academic and professional…

To improve student's reading scores on the Test of Achievement and Proficiency, a rural Georgia high school initiated an improvement program based on Deming's continuous-improvement model in fall 1995. This model allows those closest to the problem to resolve it. By working continuously to improve students' testing environment, test-taking…

Describes the development of a model for improving the calculus achievement of minority group college students currently used by 25 institutions of higher learning. Utilizes group study and an "honors class," rather than a remedial approach. (FMW)

This paper examines several models of freshman seminar programs, reviews the assessment and research literature showing the efficacy of these programs, and discusses research emphases of the new National Center for the Study of the Freshman Year Experience at the University of South Carolina. (Author/MLW)

Deals with an experiment in teaching elements of spherical geometry, contrasted with concepts of plane geometry, for students aged 10-15. Four sections list advantages of applying alternative models in education, describe the experiment, outline the theoretical background of alternative models, and offer conclusions about areas of application.…

Shows applications of the Talent Identification and Development in Education (TIDE) model in two suburban Midwestern school districts. In both large and small districts, TIDE changes the way school communities view gifted and talented education. A broader understanding emerges that recognizes nurturing of strengths, interests, and talents in every…

Describes several innovative types of shared family-care arrangements that demonstrate promise in the protection of children and the promotion of family well-being. Emphasizes the shared-family foster-care model, whereby children and parents are placed with host families rather than separating them. Notes key elements of the model: funding and…

In UK schools, improvement is demanded and expected. The 10-year-old Quality of Education for All project, emphasizing both structural and cultural change at the school level, has achieved demonstrable success in diverse school contexts. Insights on the theory, process, and practice of school improvement are discussed. (MLH)

Notes that mental health services have been a weak link in Head Start. Addresses the need to enhance mental health services by describing a successful, innovative university-Head Start partnership. Describes the model and provides advice for Head Start programs to expand and enhance their mental health services. (SD)

For decades, business schools have advocated product development processes that utilize trans-organizational, cross-function teams. Is it time for business schools to apply this model to our own product: MBA graduates? In this paper, we describe the trans-organizational, team-based approach that has transformed product development in many…

In response to the need to offer undergraduates research experience, the National Science Foundation created the Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program. The number of psychology sites has fluctuated in the Division of Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences between 8 and 12 over the last several years. To increase the number of sites in…

This article describes the Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL) model of instruction and the critical components for its successful implementation and dissemination. It speculates about the future of PLTL and reflects on the lessons learned by the PLTL coalition as it evolved from a small consortium to a national network of about 160 faculty, fourteen…

A number of elements of scaffolding are identified that contribute to the operationalization of real world video production projects as authentic learning environments in which students can learn the intellectual television production skills necessary for working in the television industry. Three key elements are identified. Firstly projects must…

We describe the future technology workshop (FTW), a method whereby people with everyday knowledge or experience in a specific area of technology use (such as using digital cameras) envision and design the interactions between current and future technology and activity. Through a series of structured workshop sessions, participants collaborate to…

This article describes the literature-based, testable, formative Patient-Centered Culturally Sensitive Health Care Model that explains the associations between patient-centered culturally sensitive health care, health-promoting treatment behaviors, and health outcomes and statuses. An intervention program based on the model and its foundational…