This fifth edition of the Maryland Community Colleges Instructional Program Manual was designed to be used in the development, submission, review, and approval of all new instructional programs in the Maryland community colleges. The first section provides a timetable for program proposals and program evaluations. The next sections contain…

Using the experiences of individual school districts, such as the Yonkers (New York) Public Schools, the author provides advice on how a board should carry out a reduction in force (RIF). She stresses the need to develop a written RIF policy and recommends involving staff and the community in the policy development process. Issues the policy…

The legal situation of a college being sued by a group of students following elimination of a graduate program is outlined and analyzed in terms of other related court litigation, the possible directions of the case, and the college's possible legal defenses. (MSE)

Most public schools, out of financial necessity, have had to reduce costs while maintaining facilities and essential programs and remaining accountable for student outcomes. School downsizing can mean making painful decisions about program elimination and staff layoffs. This digest in Spanish offers suggestions for using downsizing to some…

This report provides information on the guiding principles and requirements for academic program development in the Connecticut Community-Technical Colleges. Any program development needs to be tied to the system mission. The origins of program development should continue to build on the strength of local college initiatives where perceived…

The rights of students to complete programs into which they have matriculated and the obligations of colleges and universities to maintain these programs for sufficient periods of time to fulfill any existing contracts with students are discussed. Contract principles are applied in protecting a student's right to complete degree programs. (MLW)

Well-defined and clearly documented guidelines and areas of responsibility and strict adherence to procedures will eliminate considerable debate and disruptions during retrenchment. These concepts apply equally to faculty, staff, program, student, and other issues. University of Pittsburgh retrenchment guidelines on faculty treatment provide…

The study investigates factors influencing the establishment, operation, and elimination of an elementary enriched/accelerated program existing from 1958-69. The program's life cycle and perceived effects on students were investigated to determine factors that may continue to affect programing for the gifted/talented. (Author/JDD)

The dean of the faculty of arts and sciences at Washington University (Missouri) contends that they are committed to a strong liberal education and that the closing of the sociology department will enhance that commitment by releasing moneys for other programs and educational resources. Outlines what will be done with the money, and addresses…

Identifies two sets of values operating in higher education: the quest for knowledge versus utilitarian interests. Analyzes possible reasons for closing Washington University's (Missouri) sociology department including the history of the decision. Discusses the verbal justifications of the decision makers. Contends it may represent a conservative…

Traces the history of the sociology department at Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, from its position as a top department in the 1950s and 1960s to its decline in the 1970s, and termination in the 1990s. Criticizes the administration for allowing the department's prominence to decline. Maintains that the closure will hurt all social…

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will not ask the Supreme Court to review a lower court's decision to exempt the Michigan Education Trust from federal income taxes. The state college tuition prepayment plan was discontinued in 1991 due to legal challenges but promised to honor its commitments to 55,000 participants. The program may now be…

Results of a survey of 145 special education administrators in 27 states are presented under 4 headings: student identification practices; service delivery; student exit procedures; and program evaluation practices. Findings indicate student identification procedures are fairly well developed, whereas student exit and evaluation practices are less…

During 1992-93, the school of social work at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign was confronted with proposals for elimination, merger, and consolidation. This case study examines the proposals and rationales behind the school's strategies to counter them. Implications for social work programs in similar circumstances are discussed.…

Common causes of program failure are failure to meet expectations; presentation method; lack of interaction time; failure to adhere to schedule; lack of applicable information; poor service; lack of assistance in implementing new ideas; failure to account for cultural diversity; content already known; and failure to give presenters information…