Few concepts are more noted in the leadership effects research than vision. It is a cardinal element in the school improvement equation as well. Yet, it remains one of the least well-specified components of that algorithm. Based on a comprehensive review of the research on effective leadership and school improvement from 1995 to 2012, we bring…

This article seeks to provide a school perspective on the nature and quality of the partnerships which schools form with businesses in order to deliver work placements and workplace learning in Australia. It found that the ability of schools to engage with external partners depended on the ability of school leaders to define and communicate the…

A principal/counselor partnership in a small Colorado high school uses a microcomputer to enhance their roles and effectively provide services for the school and students. They have developed a unique needs assessment process, a word processing program for senior letters of recommendation, and a database on gifted and talented programs. (MD)

The zero-based budgeting approach is designed to achieve the greatest benefit with the fewest undesirable consequences. Seven basic steps make up the zero-based decision-making process: (1) identifying program goals, (2) classifying goals, (3) identifying resources, (4) reviewing consequences, (5) developing decision packages, (6) implementing a…

This document describes how the Florida Linkage System approach to local problem solving might be implemented in other school districts. It is presented here as a general strategy that can be adapted to meet the specific needs of a given school. The FLS model is comprised of a sequence of steps and activities leading to continuous improvement by…

This document is a policy paper that addresses the recommendations for project and staff development made in California's l989 Strategic Plan for Adult Education. Following an executive summary, chapter 1 summarizes the objectives and history of the strategic plan. Chapter 2 describes the relationship between the recommendations and the…

Focusing on data-driven educational planning and implementation, this article presents three examples of data analysis used for educational improvement in the Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) Public Schools. (MD)

This guide may be used by charter school operators in developing a business plan that can be used as a management tool in individual schools and in preparing applications for charters, renewals, and grants and loans. A sound business plan must reflect the school's ideas, assets, and needs clearly and succinctly. Drafting a business plan begins…

In this discussion of managing continuing education credit programming units, three themes emerge. The first theme is that unit administrators must rely upon leverage, or influence, to coordinate programs effectively and to gain the institution's acceptance of policies and procedures that support the credit programming unit and the adult learners…

Competency based instruction (CBI) can be used either for preservice or inservice purposes. The impact of CBI on students is to (1) enable them to systematically determine their personal learning needs; (2) increase responsibility for their own learning and enhance autonomy and sense of personal direction; (3) provide feedback; and (4) assure a…

Highlights of the findings of eleven program evaluation and planning committees within the division of special education in Pennsylvania and options in the future implementation of each program area are summarized. The committee had the following purposes: (1) to revise the structure of long range and short range planning within the division of…

Intended as workshop guidelines, the model for career education implementation contains six modules which outline the procedure for integrating career education into the instructional process, and describes a multi-media approach to guide administrators through the developmental process. Module one, Preparation for District Career Education…

The module is one of a series of eight developed to provide inservice training for administrators of career education programs. The focus of the module is on the determination of needs as a prerequisite for implementation of programs in career education. The major lesson topics are: (1) the importance of needs assessment in career education, (2)…

Explains seven steps in implementing a computer system for the students, administration, and community of Illinois's Tiskilwa School District: assessing the computer needs, identifying barriers and incentives, identifying and selecting software, selecting appropriate hardware, specifying bid requirements, selecting a vendor and evaluating…