Explores the nature and evolution of professional learning conversations that emerge when teachers in master's classes are involved in rubric-focused coaching with peers. Finds that teachers' self-developed strategy rubrics on strategy lessons initiated focus learning conversations about instruction, increased their trust of professional…

In this interview, Dr. Marilyn Friend discusses why collaboration is important in schools, what it takes to make collaboration work effectively in schools, what teachers need to learn about working with others, the biggest challenges that collaborators face, how school leaders can facilitate collaboration, and resources on teacher collaboration.…

Explores how a tenure support group can provide a mechanism for discussing concerns and channeling efforts for academic librarians seeking faculty status. Discusses establishing tenure support groups and their role. Describes programs presented to tenure-track librarians at Texas A&M University, and outlines benefits of participation. (PEN)

Changes in the training and certification of teachers in Quebec alter the dynamics of the induction process. New certificate-in-hand teachers are more readily perceived by their experienced peers as full-fledged teachers, and through preparation of support measures, veteran teachers participate in a collective process of professional…

A literature review and data from 346 British business studies students identified the importance of relationship marketing approaches in business and highlighted the need for students to gain experience in work placements. Careful management of work placements by universities is required. (SK)

Describes the growth of Early Head Start (EHS) programs, focusing on one EHS partnership with child care providers in Delaware to serve infants, toddlers, and their families. Includes discussion of partnership strategies that promote quality programming, ways the early care and education coordinator supports child development, strategies for…

Asserts that the field of early childhood education (ECE) should reclaim some powerful words to reconnect them with ECE traditions and professional values. Includes discussion of academics, assessment, reading, standards, and structure. Concludes that using these words can be beneficial in discussions with other professionals and policymakers…

Change, ambiguity and shifting relationships are recurrent themes in contemporary career development. In turn, personal success in the unfolding knowledge economy calls for self-awareness, adaptability and the ability to work with others. A challenge in career coaching is to help people better develop these kinds of skills, and in turn to help…

All academic librarians can be easily convinced from studies and personal experience that the best way to help students learn lifelong research skills is by collaborating with teaching faculty. The author explores the need for this collaboration to be relational rather than circumstantial, with a long-term focus. She explores practical ways to…

A learning community is a relatively old phenomenon that has resurfaced; it is making educators at institutions of higher education stand up and take notice. Grounded in collaborative and cooperative learning theories, learning communities have created environments in which student learning is the center of attention. The social construction of…

The central feature of doctoral training in the humanities, according to this author, must remain the organization of curricula to support the mastery of disciplines, the development of rich conceptual frameworks, and a demonstrable attainment of research skills. The work of transmitting these capacities is only partially done by the curriculum. A…

This chapter provides an overview of the challenges to and strategies for successful staffing in a small college student affairs division.

In this article, the authors illustrate the three fundamental elements of school leadership: academic focus, shared beliefs and values, and productive professional relationships. These three elements purportedly produce strong organizational cultures, more teaching expertise, and better student achievement and more thoughtful and caring citizens.…

Many schools across the United States are attempting to implement some form of decentralization and shared decision making. This paper identifies some of the challenges associated with implementing school-based decision making and describes ways in which some schools and their principals have dealt effectively with them. Three particular…

This paper examines the experience of one school in southern Ohio in implmenting an interdisciplinary pilot program during the 1993-94 school year. The Connections program at Cedar City High School was designed to encompass the content areas of English, science, and social studies. The program derived its name from its interdisciplinary goals of…