Drawing on documents and interviews with school staff, this report describes Oaklea Middle School, serving grades five through eight in the Junction City (Oregon) School District. An overview of the school's startup and philosophy stresses the priority assigned to students' educational, physical, social, and emotional needs. The author next…

In 1971, a management consulting firm undertook a case study of the Columbia University libraries to improve library performance by reviewing and strengthening the organization and recasting staff composition and deployment patterns. To implement the study's recommendations, an administrative structure was proposed which would emphasize functional…

This report presents a theoretical model and a practical guide for a survey feedback-problem solving-collective decision intervention in educational systems. The intervention focuses on work roles and relationships; job function, authority, and communication patterns; and on reviewing group progress and problems. One objective of the strategy is…

For the brightest students the most significant reasons why they won't teach relate to frustrating working conditions, bureaucratic requirements, the lack of professional control, and few opportunities for intellectual growth, as well as these students' intolerance for diversity in the workplace and their perception of teaching as a "boring…

The founder of the Roeper School (Michigan) discusses the role of the administrator in the context of gifed education. Emphasis on the Roeper School program, its nonhierarchical philosophy, and the administrative changes (board composition, teacher evaluation, relationship with parents) which positioned the administrator as facilitator of group…

Advocates school and district administrator solicitation of teacher participation in decision making to combat teacher burnout and teacher shortages. (JC)

Effective family problem solving was studied in 97 families of elementary-school-aged children with definite- and indefinite-solution tasks. Incentive and task independence were manipulated. It was found that definitions of effective problem solving based on directly observed measures of group interaction were more valid than definitions based on…

To stimulate development in Nicaragua it was necessary for the Sandinistas to raise the education level of its populace. This was accomplished through a national literacy crusade which decreased the illiteracy rate by 37.1 per cent. The crusade showed the importance of incorporating popular organizations into the process of change. (VM)

Shoreham-Wading (New York) River School Distict's long-term goal is to build awareness of human rights into teachers' and students' daily activities. Staff workshops and planned human rights activities help school community members explore preconceived beliefs and attitudes and develop personal power, group support, and critical awareness. An…

Describes the background, goals, methods, and results of a needs assessment study at the New York Public Library. This structured, phased self-examination was designed to form a consensus about the institution's long term needs and priorities. (CLB)

Suggests that a collaborative relationship between a clinical supervisor and a reading teacher can improve the teacher's effectiveness through a preobservation conference and identification of problems, classroom observation, and a post-observation conference. (JC)

Explores the contexts of the letters citizens send their legislators, focusing exclusively on their value. Suggests that the letters about political issues and personal concerns sent by citizens are of great value to both the writer and the reader. (SKC)

Demographic and financial problems at Fairleigh Dickinson University were perceived in traditional business terms and a plan was formulated to cut expenses quickly by unloading personnel. A struggle over the role of faculty in governance has been waged since. (MLW)

The current agenda for school reform expresses the wish of elites to support traditional American values and social stratification, negating pluralism. The agenda has misconceptualized excellence, the necessary means to attain it, and the actors who will create it. An alternative is proposed based on teacher professionalism and local initiative.…

Describes curriculum planning processes for environmental education programs employed by secondary school teachers in Australia. Explains the phases involved with a school based curriculum project and provides a case study report to illustrate the approach. Offers suggestions for initiating and sustaining curriculum planning in environmental…