Examines a descriptive model of communication relationships between members of collectives to determine whether perceptions are the result of formal structure, collective interests, or individual interests. Finds structures of perceived communication relationships are similar across organizations, whereas structures in observable communication are…

Collective bargaining cannot work when the parties are not free to assess the costs of agreeing against the costs of disagreeing and act on their decisions. Management must remove substantive bargaining restrictions, even if this means working to eliminate employee strike benefits and restrictions on the board's taxation ability. Affirmative…

Reports the results of four studies examining how Afro-Americans perceive interethnic communication with Whites. Uses an interpretive, cultural perspective in questionnaires and interviews as well as quantitative and qualitative analyses to identify seven issues of communication satisfaction and five conversational improvement strategies,…

Examines strategies that students use to signal comprehension problems in classrooms, specifically, requests for clarification. Finds strategies differ with regard to the type and amount of communicative effort required of participants. (MS)

This study assessed communication initiation and repair behaviors of 28 adults with severe/profound mental retardation in a variety of settings. All subjects communicated through nonsymbolic gestures. All subjects initiated at least one communication act; all but three subjects repaired at least one communication act following a breakdown. Recasts…

Discusses the situation faced by deaf and hard of hearing adolescents dealing with a substance abuse problem. A model chemical dependency treatment program, the Minnesota Chemical Dependency Program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals, is described. (JPS)

The occurrence of communication breakdowns during cooperative learning activities and interventions was studied with 7 mainstreamed students, ages 9 to 12, with hearing losses and 21 normally hearing peers. Intervention resulted in a decrease in the occurrence of breakdowns. Breakdowns tended to be resolved more often when peers revised their…

Workplace gossip has consequences: stealing time, damaging morale, and hurting people. Gossip feeds on truth and falsehood, can become part of "corporate culture," and is inevitable. Administrators should plug information gaps, set a good example, promote a calm atmosphere, anticipate rumors, use informative staff newsletters, and teach…

A successful program for innercity parents should incorporate all the components of parent involvement: empowerment, school visits, volunteer services, two-way communication, and at-home socialization and learning activities. Principals are urged to consider the needs and interests of different parent groups, rather than push the school's agenda.…

Suggests some specific things to consider when preparing print, interactive electronic, or visual materials for clients outside of North America. (SR)

It is difficult to assemble the necessary conditions for school-based management when staff are struggling with basic civility. A New Jersey superintendent proceeded slowly while recognizing that things could go wrong and providing staff with needed conflict-resolution tools. School and district councils helped diffuse acrimony and motivate staff…

Expands the definition of supportive communication ties and examines the relationship of communication network roles to job stress and burnout in public elementary schools. Finds that isolates report significantly less stress than linkers, group members, and dyads and significantly less burnout than linkers and dyads. (SR)

Through several interconnected memos among various educators, this article shows how defensive attitudes and misinterpretation of motives can utterly defeat a suggestion for restructuring teacher education. (MLH)

A 1992 Council of Urban Boards of Education report affirms that board members and superintendents are aware of their mutual problems. Both parties agreed that open communication, trust, and understanding of role differences are the factors most important to effective board/superintendent relationships. The major destabilizing factors were board…

Focus groups with 23 public-administration faculty and practitioners identified the different interactions and experiences of men and women that perpetuate resistance to equal opportunities in the workplace. A communication model was developed that is useful for diagnostics and intervention in organizations trying to improve workplace relations.…