Discusses the importance of partnerships among professionals in early childhood education and in other fields for the effective and efficient functioning of organizations working with young children and their families. Considers how the diversity of members of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the unique…

Presents a case study of a year-long collaboration over the Internet between a systems analyst from Sweden and a technical communicator from the United States that resulted in a conference paper. Describes the progress of the collaboration, the major difficulties encountered, and the authors' conclusion about its success. Suggests how to improve…

Seeks to challenge college and university leaders to maintain their research mandates and to increase the number of professors engaged in scholarship by considering scholar-development stages and developing scholar-mentoring programs, with the goal being the development of a community of dialogue. Asserts that this approach is key to embracing a…

Explores the relationship between academic mentoring behaviors and the organizational socialization of new faculty members within the communication discipline. Indicates that mentors' tendencies to provide support and encouragement, a sense of collegiality, and research assistance are related to an organizational newcomer's feelings of…

Isolation of the college public affairs office from the institution's decision-making process is commonplace, either unintentionally or by design. Specific recommendations offered by creative public relations professionals can help officers avoid isolation from four important groups: the college president, campus, community, and staff. (MSE)

Information is presented to help elementary principals manage and facilitate staff development, drawing upon research concerning effective schools, educational change, and leadership. Requisite knowledge and skills are proposed for principals, with recommendations provided for using staff development to effect school improvement. (SM)

A mentoring program for both gifted and nongifted low- or under-achieving students in grades three-six was developed to improve students' academic standing and self-esteem. Mentors and mentees discuss difficulties with school or social relationships, become involved in special projects, etc. The program has also improved bonds among faculty…

A grass-roots collaboration between high school and college foreign language teachers has brought together a "natural constituency" for professional development and communication. The steps followed by this group may facilitate the process for others. (Author/MSE)

Exploration of the ways in which early childhood education administrators and teachers perceived organizational practices indicated that there were significant differences between administrators' and teachers' perceptions, with the administrators consistently more favorably rating the organizational climate. (Author/CB)

In a number of states, legislatures are successfully opposing governors on budget cuts that would adversely affect colleges and universities, even in states where relations between academics and politicians have been strained recently. (MSE)

There is good reason for college fund raisers and business officers to collaborate on common financial interests. Communication is a key element of such cooperation. Other needs include agreement on accounting and reporting of institutional finances, agreement on stewardship of gifts (particularly with restrictions or endowments), and common…

It is proposed that the need for collaboration between physicians and nurses is increasing with new health care needs and delivery systems, and that practitioners and educators must help improve the relationship. The phenomenon of collaboration, reasons for promoting it, barriers to achieving collaborative relationships, and change strategies are…

Suggestions are offered to help department chairs make faculty development an overall professional approach rather than a separate program of activities. They include the following: make development your main job, emphasize planning, and examine your formal reward system. (Contains eight references.) (LB)

Misunderstandings between a university's attorney and its public relations office can arise because of differing goals, schedules, rules of evidence, and levels of respect accorded them. Cooperation can be fostered by forging a bond before a crisis arises, sharing expertise, thinking ahead, remaining flexible, and analyzing successes and failures.…

Examines the roles of subject matter experts (SMEs) and instructional designers and discusses distinctions between the two. Three reasons to distinguish SMEs from instructional designers are explained: the learning process, knowing versus communicating, and allocation of resources. (LRW)