This is a study of the practices utilized by four school districts, two with high and two with low retention rates of teachers, to examine how similarities and differences in selected human resources practices relate to the successful retention of teachers in these districts. The factors studied that may impact teacher retention included…

Since the introduction of the Coleman Report (1966), the focus on closing the achievement gap has been a critical component of educational policy for political leaders and field research by educators. The economic crisis which California and the nation at large currently face creates a challenging situation in attempting to narrow the gap.…

This article reports on an exploratory study of the relationship between grounding and problem solving in multimodal computer-mediated collaboration. This article examines two different media, a shared whiteboard and a MOO environment that includes a text chat facility. A study was done on how the acknowledgment rate (how often partners give…

Knowledge and awareness of how joint-management initiatives can improve the operation and results of public education are the focus of this document. The synthesis is based on a 2-day conference that brought interest groups from private and public sectors together to discuss participatory leadership in public schools. Several issues are raised,…

Factors discussed include the amount of time that library faculty members devote to supervision, the interaction of the library faculty and the library administration, and the role of the library faculty in participative management. (Author/PF)

Based on a survey of 83 instructional developers, this chapter considers whether the instructional developer/client relationship is a consulting relationship and, if so, whether consultants employ a specific consulting model. Four models of consultation are considered--the Product Model, the Prescription Model, the Collaborative/Process Model, and…

This study focused on participative decision making which is considered an important way of developing subordinates in mentoring relationships. Subjects were managers (N=73) from diverse organizations. Scores were obtained for overall participation and decision quality. Further, it was determined how different aspects of the situation interacted…

Argues that faculty status of librarians is not sufficient but must be coupled with a more democratic collegial form of library governance. (JG)

The primary role of the principal in a multiunit high school is as a curriculum leader. By allowing others to share in the decision-making process, encouraging the utilization of the program improvement council, striving for community involvement, and allowing others who are highly motivated the autonomy they need, the principal helps assure that…

The author describes the process and development-related benefits of "participatory research." Her example is of the efforts of Canada's native people to resolve the issue of family and child welfare. (Author/CH)

Ingredients necessary to forge successful, effective youth-adult partnerships: the conviction that adolescents can make a valuable contribution, long-term commitment to the project, and giving youths a definite organizational role are outlined with reference to the experience of the Youth Participation Project in Nassau County, New York. (JMM)

Adults planning with young people make better plans and build better programs for all youth. Developing successful partnerships demands flexibility and compromise, but the benefits of such partnerships are enormous, both to the people involved and the community itself. Wisconsin's Positive Youth Development Initiative has made a good start. (JMM)

The idea of participation in planning can be applied to formal report topics in business communication, report writing, and technical writing. A study found that students experience great satisfaction with brainstorming and nominal grouping. (JOW)

Considering the public's high regard for discipline and the clear relationship between a safe and orderly environment and school effectiveness, no school can afford to operate without a properly developed discipline code handbook. Faculty, staff, and students need to be involved to make the handbook an effective blueprint governing behavior…

Emphasizes the need for intimate faculty involvement in planning a new school gymnasium. Once an architect has been chosen, planners should consider flexibility for newer sports and other functions and be aware of choices regarding size, flooring, use of dividers, and maintenance. Because gym requirements vary by region and school system, careful…