Studies in five Missouri districts identified eight characteristics deterring change and constituting an "informal covenant" between teachers and principals. Eight corresponding conditions essential to change include relating changes to a school's culture, knowing local procedures and sensitive issues, recognizing moments when changes are…

Part of a special issue on organizational research utilization, this article analyzes two National Institute of Education programs--the Research and Development Utilization Program and the Experimental Schools Program--and finds that a key reason for nonutilization of research is the "policy vacuum" in which research is conducted.…

Change strategies must include informal school networks and norms. Implementation plans must involve teachers and principals prior to training. (Author/JM)

In describing the just community approach to moral education developed at Cluster alternative high school, the author focuses on the setting of collective norms and relationships between these norms and Kohlberg's moral development stages. He finds this approach to moral education to be more comprehensive than the moral discussion approach. (SJL)

This article first examines what experts and research say about parent involvement and then discusses the attitudes, knowledge, and skills critical for professionals to work effectively with parents of the handicapped. The last section offers practical suggestions for launching a parent program. (Part of a theme issue on mainstreaming.)…

Outlines the experiences of one small district in introducing microcomputers. Lessons learned concern a computer checkout procedure and teacher inservice training. (JM)

An intergovernment program implementation framework is shown to be strongly affected by the way federal expectations and administrative actions interact with the state and local education agency programs. They can influence the components of categories of implementation factors, process variables, and the agency role orientations. (CM)

Attributes the lack of success among youth employment/education programs over the past 50 years in part to inadequate evaluation of concept development, program implementation, and individual outcomes. Discusses objectives, implementation, and results of various private and government-supported youth employment and school to work plans. (JCD)

Chief student-personnel officers (N=203) from two- and four-year private and public institutions responded to a management technique survey replicating a 1976 national study. Responses indicated that although management techniques have remained unchanged, application of the techniques varied between two- and four-year colleges and universities.…

Three prior learning program directors relate their experiences with program implementation. Three different types of institutions are represented: Sinclair Community College, State University of New York at Cortland, and American University, Washington, DC. Vital statistics and program descriptions are presented. (MLW)

Focuses on how basic research on psychological principles eventually leads to practical classroom programs. A case study is presented of a classroom program based on psychological research. Inferences are made regarding the problems of transforming basic research into practical classroom programs. (Author/DB)

Outlines a program for incorporating oral interpretation activities into an elementary school curriculum. (RL)

The success of competency based vocational education (CBVE) implementation depends upon commitment of staff and administration, visits to institutions with existing programs, and staff development and materials adaptation. (JOW)

The author explains the particular relevance of participatory decision making for the Catholic school administrator, with reference to such organizational theories as McGregor's Theory Y and Maslow's hierarchy of human needs. (Author/SJL)

Describes an experimental program in which remedial instruction in reading, writing, and basic study skills is coupled with content courses in general studies, biology, history, and psychology. Explains how remedial and content courses are paired, examines methods of evaluating student progress, and presents guidelines for program implementation.…