Reports selected findings from a national evaluation of a British pilot scheme for mentoring new headteachers, using questionnaire data collected from 238 new principals and 303 mentors and information from 16 detailed case studies. Mentoring was judged successful by most participants because it offered numerous benefits, including help with…

A computer-based curriculum program called Computers Helping Instruction and Learning Development (Project CHILD) has been tested in 82 classrooms in 10 elementary schools in Okaloosa County, Florida. As part of a sixth-grade follow-up study, students in Project CHILD had a B average in math and language arts versus a C average for students in a…

In July 1992, New American Schools Development Corporation (private, tax-exempt organization) announced selection of 11 designs to serve as models for schools of future. Nationwide competition sought to improve existing public schools with new ideas and money from corporate donations. Winning proposals incorporate concepts such as longer school…

Academic Development Institute study found schools having greatest difficulty engaging parents were those with high concentrations of poor, single-parent families with many children. Project Better Day was designed to identify uninvolved parents whose grade 1-4 children were behind grade level; draw these parents into positive school relationship;…

At a Florida elementary school, the principal and teachers are piloting a curriculum of core knowledge developed over a four-year period by E.D. Hirsch, an advisory board, and a teacher/parent network. An appropriate core curriculum can provide all students with a foundation of knowledge for studying and appreciating the unique qualities of any…

The Communicating about Loss & Mourning curriculum was designed for and field tested on a sample of 25 verbally expressive adults with mental retardation. Findings from a pilot study implementing the curriculum suggest that these individuals have a need for and can benefit from a formal program of death education and grief counseling. (Author/JDD)

Describes the Diagnostic Executive Competency Analysis System (DECAS) developed by researchers at the University of Texas (Austin). Applies assessment center methods conventionally used for selection and screening purposes to formative needs-based professional development activities. Presents DECAS within the framework of the U.S. Multi-Site…

Reviews the International School Improvement Project, highlighting its structure, outcomes, and substance, and identifies some of the major characteristics of ISIP knowledge. Compares this knowledge with knowledge emanating from the effective schools literature and suggests areas for future collaboration. Includes 40 references. (MLH)

Most of the 31 (of 39) teachers of pilot agriscience courses surveyed considered themselves competent and thought the units were important. Most pressing inservice needs were in the areas of biotechnology, computers, and mechanical/physical technology. Teachers perceived a lack of instructional materials for these and other less traditional areas,…

Watts (1993) attributes problems encountered in developing computer-aided career guidance systems to political and economic issues rather than technical or professional ones, a conclusion based largely on experience with the UK PROSPECT system. Offers an alternative view which draws attention to the role of project management in creating some of…

Findings from a national evaluation of a (British) Department of Education pilot headteacher mentoring scheme suggest that the new headteachers involved significantly benefited. Mentoring offered a way to raise matters of concern and get appropriate advice, helped participants reflect on the headteacher role and gain a broader leadership…

Describes a technology-based research pilot project undertaken by The Commonwealth of Learning with Jamaica and Ghana to investigate the use of video in demonstrating farming techniques. Maintains that video production done at the regional level will allow farmers to relate to information relevant to their own agricultural situations. (Contains 3…

A pilot study is presented of a multimode teacher education programme as a variation of the research-based approach to teacher education. The research-based approach has been characterised as one of the paradigms of teacher education. In this article, we discuss the opportunities and challenges that a multimode programme, which makes it possible…

In Canada, there are long waiting lists of adopted persons and birthparents seeking information or actual reunions. In the province of Quebec, the government authorized a pilot project, involving a fee-for-service program and use of contract social workers to supplement agency staff as intermediaries in the reunion process. This article reports on…

This article describes a pilot program that used local rehabilitation facilities to address the career education needs of visually impaired students aged 14-21 in three Florida communities. The extensive planning, data collection, and evaluation process will allow this project to be improved and expanded throughout the state.