An evaluation of case management services to families on public assistance suggests that a "logic model" and an "open systems" evaluation approach might be useful in program evaluation. A second study describes how the logic model and open systems evaluation were used to develop an evaluation plan for services to homeless…

The case study of a community relations program in Northern Ireland demonstrates the importance of contextual variables and illustrates that the demands of short-term, context-stripped, value-for-money evaluations are often in conflict with qualitative inquiries that can reveal the social, political, and cultural influences on program delivery.…

Discusses a British primary headteacher's attempts to introduce collaborative decision making by establishing regular formal meetings, both as a whole staff and within age-related teams. Describes and interprets the varied, complex patterns of staff response. Teachers are more responsive to collegial leadership styles when they perceive that the…

Describes ways that the Denver Public Library's interlibrary loan department has adapted electronic-messaging technology to improve interlibrary loan services. Patron-initiated requesting, via e-mail or OCLC's order option, is discussed; the role of the OPAC is explained; and implementation and staff training is described. (LRW)

Describes organizational change procedures used to promote acceptability of a prereferral intervention program. Presents evaluation data concerning the program's acceptability to team members and participating teachers, integrity of consultative process, and effect on number of children referred to special education. Discusses implications for…

A preliminary evaluation of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program at four San Francisco middle schools found no significant statistical evidence on academic achievement. The program successfully implemented its first-year objectives: positive perceptions among parents and students and solid student participation. Influential factors…

Community schools come in all shapes and sizes, offering wide-ranging support and opportunities for children, families, and the greater community. Elementary principals from several rural and urban community schools explain how close-knit community partnerships created campuses that involved parents, energized teachers, and enhanced children's…

In Georgia, support for middle schools has waned. Pressured by high-income parents and the standards/accountability movements, the state superintendent of schools denigrates Georgia's middle schools and has sought to remove special funding and reinstate tracking. However, the "Turning Points" ideals exemplified at Crabapple School remain…

In May 2000, 35 principals from across the nation met to define their role in implementing rigorous academic curricula to promote student achievement. Their observations concerning effects of school climate, resources, staffing, equal access, professional development, sustained leadership, and program assessment are discussed. (MLH)

Designs for Learning is a California-based professional-development program organized around 10 design elements central to teachers' teaching and learning process: student data, planning, release time, leadership development, content and pedagogy, inquiry, collaboration, adult learning, administrative and community support, and accountability.…

Describes how the Vernon Parish (Louisiana) School District implemented Governmental Accounting Board Statement No. 34 for fiscal year 1999. Implementing GASB 34 was mentally challenging and demanded a team effort. The system uses columnar displays for major funds and contains burdensome capital-assets accounting standards. (MLH)

Describes the merging of a school for students with special needs with a nearby Catholic high school. States that the Best Buddies program pairs a high school student with a special needs student in a mentoring type of relationship. Reports that this school-within-a-school program has been so successful that the archdiocese is expanding the…

This article discusses how musical activities were added to a childcare playground and the benefits for a young child with blindness. The six-station "Sound Path" is described, and suggestions are provided for using sound pipes to develop sensorimotor skills, social and communication skills, cognitive skills, and emotional skills. (Contains…

This reprint of an article on using grade advancement as a method for meeting the needs of some intellectually or academically gifted students is preceded by a commentary that concludes that popular sentiment and negative folklore supporting grade advancement are unfounded. Grade advancement guidelines are provided. (Contains references.) (CR)

Examined ways in which families became involved in 21 classrooms in 9 state-funded rural Illinois prekindergarten programs for children identified as at-risk for later school failure. Found that wide variations existed in parent involvement and family-school partnership initiatives implemented across the nine programs. Findings pose implications…