National surveys of graduate and social science deans showed that teaching is alleged to be the primary factor in all personnel and resource allocation decisions. However, there is much less support for teaching in practice. Reasons include inadequate funding, the imperfect institutionalization of teaching support structures, and the lack of a…

The institutional benefits or payoffs of teacher centers were investigated for accreditation agencies, parents/community, teacher organizations, school systems, state educational agencies, and colleges. Responses of 56 professional educators viewed benefits for all institutions in terms of immediate teacher needs rather than long-range benefits.…

Presents responses to three "College English" articles, C.H. Knoblauch and Lil Brannon's "Writing as Learning through the Curriculum" (September 1983), Helen Schwartz's "Monsters and Mentors" (February 1982), and James C. Raymond's "Rhetoric: The Methodology of the Humanities" (December 1982). Includes the…

The College of the Canyons in California has responded to recent growth in the institution and the community it serves by developing new programs and services, adding additional facilities, hiring new personnel, expanding in new directions and developing new initiatives. Enrollment at the college has increased from 6,882 in fall 1996 to 12,726 in…

This text contains 47 readings about gifted education grouped into sections on: (1) conceptions and identification; (2) instructional models and practices; (3) creativity, thinking skills, and eminence; (4) psychological and counseling issues; (5) populations of gifted; and (6) special populations. Some of the chapters are: "Issues and Challenges…

This report presents a blueprint for attracting, developing, and retaining skilled and diverse teachers who effectively increase the achievement of all of Virginia's students. The five recommendations are to: (1) develop a comprehensive database to support Virginia's commitment to teacher quality; (2) expand recruitment initiatives to attract…

This paper reports on the first phase of a three-part study meant to provide information, in an expanded context, for decisions related to marketing communications at Western Iowa Tech Community College (WITCC). The Marketing Department proposed focus groups to examine dropouts, students who are admitted but do not enroll, and business persons in…

This guide is designed to provide a framework and sequence for working jointly with adult learners to confirm their disability, assess their functional needs, select appropriate accommodations, provide instruction for using accommodations, and monitor accommodation effectiveness. In addition to procedural information, the guide contains instructor…

This report on Institutional Effectiveness (IE) at South Texas Community College (STCC) analyzes the evolution of IE over a 5-year period. The report identifies four phases: (1) assessment (1996-98); (2) assessment and follow-up (1998-99); (3) unit planning (1999-2000); and (4) institutional effectiveness. The phased-in planning was instituted…

In Honduras, 88 percent of the rural population has 6 years or less of formal education. Several distance education schemes have been undertaken to address both low rural educational levels and the destruction of schools by Hurricane Mitch. This paper reports on recent studies of two distance education efforts with substantial international…

This Spanish- and Portuguese-language bulletin presents articles focusing on early childhood and elementary-age initiatives in which the children play a more active role than the usual model of teachers/adult project leaders taking the lead and the children following their directions. Each article covers a distinct project, thus examining the…

These hearings before the House of Representatives Committee on Government Reform address the issue of whether the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is working as Congress intended. First, an introduction by the Chairman, Dan Burton, notes the difficulties that parents are having in accessing appropriate public education. Next are…

At the request of the Superintendent of the Montgomery County, Maryland, Public School System (MCPS), Achieve conducted an evaluation of the MCPS K-12 Curriculum Frameworks and high school semester exams in English and mathematics. The review was designed to determine how well the MCPS Frameworks and exams align with Maryland state academic…

This document reviews the results of the first comprehensive survey of the first year in Canadian postsecondary education, and examines the range and consequences of courses of study. It explores students' perceptions of their first year, and evaluates the programs and services that were offered. Chapter 1 compares and contrasts the American and…

This digest presents an overview of the auditory-verbal approach to teaching communication skills to children who are deaf or hard of hearing. The goal of auditory-verbal practices is for children who are deaf or hard of hearing to grow up in "typical" learning and living environments that enable them to become independent,…