A case study of an organization development intervention in a large New York State school district describes to staff developers the complex process of discovering and responding to organizational needs. The discussion focuses on understanding the problem; frameworks for diagnosis and intervention; and implementing the intervention strategy.…

General and specific strategies useful in facilitating an integrated educational environment for children with severe disabilities are presented. Strategies include, among others, identifying and facilitating natural supports, using a participation approach, demonstrating success locally, recruiting collaborators, communicating with all members of…

Compared effects of a training workshop on mental health professionals' (N=21) attitudes toward homosexuality and counseling behavior with effects of no intervention on comparison counselor trainee college students (N=31). Found treated subjects improved significantly more than comparison subjects on all measures of homosexual/lesbian counseling…

Explores impact of national policies affecting income maintenance, health, transportation, education, employment, and housing of chronically mentally ill people in rural areas. Suggests policies rendered deinstitutionalization and rural community placement difficult. Reveals interlocking policy environment that warrants widening of mental health…

Four articles report ideas for improving fund-raising techniques, beginning new initiatives, and maintaining donation momentum. They are: "At Centre Stage" (Shawn Lyons); "By Hook or By Crook" (Sherwood C. Haskins, Jr.); "Small Miracles" (C. Jeffery Wahlstrom); and "The Price of Participation" (Margaret A.…

Organizational culture is difficult to change, but the norms that exist are the easiest elements to identify and change. Even if changing the norms is not desirable, it is essential to understand and articulate them. A change in cultural norms is communicated through new expectations, different language, and new behaviors. (MSE)

In Rumania, currently, change is rapid at the level of social doctrine because the people never really accepted Communism. However, at the level of cultural and academic life, fundamental changes will be slower. Content, methods, goals, and teachers of the universities will have to be renewed and reoriented. (MSE)

Discusses the problems American students have learning math. Describes the new learning in mathematics that synthesizes new content and methods that restructure the curriculum in a way that resolves design and quality control problems. Presents examples of effective programs. (JS)

When Richmond County, Georgia, teachers formed study groups to become proficient in new teaching strategies, their students' achievement and behavior improved markedly. The teachers adopted an organic approach to school renewal, restructuring the workplace and using training to bring research-based teaching models into teachers' regular workday.…

A discussion of the state of American community colleges analyzes their principal functions, describes and analyzes current criticisms of the system, and evaluates trends in finance, governance, and administration. Trends in the California system are examined. (Author/MSE)

Describes English teaching in China, covering course materials, teaching activities, and students' reactions, and noting an upsurge of interest in English for science and technology (EST). A proposed reform argues for a shift from General English to EST and offers suggestions for preparing course materials, teacher training, and learner testing.…

Describes a model for identifying factors affecting teachers' use of instructional media and suggests methods to increase teachers' expertise with instructional media. The instructional performance engineering model is explained, teacher inservice training related to the Concerns-Based Adoption Model is discussed, and an Instructional Media…

The complexity of Seattle University's decision to replace three separate computerized student information systems with one integrated system was managed with a multicriteria method for evaluating alternatives. The method both managed a large amount of information and reduced people's resistance to change. (MSE)

Suicide has become the solution to an increasing number of gifted youth's mounting frustrations, including success depression and school stress. One possible solution is mandatory counseling within the gifted curriculum as a preventive intervention. (MSE)

Whereas participative management and quality circles have foundered in American schools, teacher and principal empowerment, a more focused process, has great potential for facilitating significant, long-lasting school improvement. For empowerment to succeed, educators must be trained to take risks and be exposed to challenging conditions. (MLH)