A series of eight articles discusses the perceptions of the school library held by students, teachers, and parents, and suggests several strategies to improve the services and image of the library. The areas discussed include public relations programs, services addressing current social issues, library material selection, and library teacher…

Language laboratories, VCRs, and microcomputers are not labor-saving devices for the teacher. Technology-mediated lessons demand as much, if not more, planning effort than does conventional instruction. Four points to consider in planning are (1) selection of medium; (2) selection of software; (3) amount of student control; and (4) amount of…

Syllabus designers and materials writers in developing nations must treat English for specific purposes as a language-policy solution to language-policy problems. They must familiarize themselves with sociopolitical factors affecting course design and subsequently the relevance of courses produced. Examples are illustrated through a case study of…

How the People's Republic of China trains its workers is discussed. Topics specifically examined include the history of worker education, the role of worker education in training and production, worker education institutions, and current educational practices, e.g., the selection and training of teachers, study time. (RM)

Using the Delphi technique, a nationwide panel of experts identified 33 competencies that volunteer administrators (VAs) will need during the next decade and categorized them into these five constructs: organizational leadership; systems leadership; organizational culture; personal skills; and management skills. Twelve barriers to acquiring the…

This publication introduces an assessment instrument to help programs implement management competencies. It discusses development of management competencies and describes the Management Competencies Assessment Instrument (MCAI) designed to help managers verify and validate their competencies and use the information for planning professional…

This book provides a tool to help school administrators take control of their lives, detailing creative strategies for surviving the daily grind while honing a vision of successful schools. Sixteen chapters examine: (1) "Surveying the Terrain: Getting Smarter About the Politics of Education"; (2) "The Vision Thing: Getting Smarter…

These guidelines for college and university governing boards concern the selection of and relations with interim college presidents, and are based on interviews with 52 interim presidents, including some who have served in that position more than once, and 20 other college and university personnel in 20 states. An introductory section outlines…

The consequences of the end of minority preferences in the University of California (UC) schools of law and medicine are explored. The first students admitted into these graduate schools on a colorblind basis will begin classes in the fall of 1997. None of these students received a racial preference in admission, as a result of a 1995 decision by…

Minnesota has developed a statewide assessment in response to the national movement toward state accountability and high standards for all students. The Minnesota Basic Standards Tests currently assess whether a student has achieved a minimum level of competency in reading, math, and writing. Limited English speaking (LEP) students in Minnesota…

This study investigated how school principals and media specialists in elementary and secondary schools perceive the preparation of pre-service teachers regarding media and technology and specific skills that should be required of beginning teachers. A survey instrument was administered to 83 principals and 83 media specialists employed at schools…

This digest is intended to help teachers select good resources to use in their instruction by providing a checklist to evaluate online educational materials. The following major topic areas to consider when evaluating World Wide Web-based materials for use in instructional settings, as well as sub-questions in each area, are outlined: (1) Judge…

Legal challenges to affirmative action continue in a variety of contexts within higher education, creating confusion and uncertainty for colleges and universities. This paper examines cases brought in federal court, although other complaints related to affirmative action programs have been filed in state courts and with the U.S. Department of…

"Harvard Education Letter" is published bimonthly at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. This issue of "Harvard Education Letter" contains the following articles: (1) Bringing Parents on Board: Strong Home-School Connections Enrich Learning Opportunities for Immigrant Kids--and Their Parents, Too (Sue Miller Wiltz); (2)…

For a number of years, particularly since the early 1940's, there has been a growing movement emphasizing the importance of local boards of education, how they function, and how their effectiveness may be improved. Evidences of this movement are found within a variety of sources: In the increasing amount of research dealing with school boards and…