From 1948 to 1994, the Republic of South Africa (RSA) maintained 15 different departments of education and separate educational systems, signifying the inequality in educational opportunities throughout the era of apartheid. Even before the new democratic system of government ushered in with the 1994 elections, however, the possibility of…

In response to the escalation of violent crime among youth in Knoxville, Tennessee, two partnerships have been developed by Pellissippi State Technical Community College (PSTCC), a university and the K-12 system in the Greater Knoxville area, and community leaders to provide non-violent alternatives for youth. The first effort, the annual Greater…

Research shows that family involvement in education leads to long-term achievement, positive attitudes, and more effective schools. Families can participate in the schools in a number of ways. Parent involvement begins with teaching in the home when the child is small and continues through preschool programs. Once the child is ready for public…

This case study explored the socialization of four beginning teachers as they engaged in the pre-induction and induction years of professional training. The analysis provided information about what contributes to the development of beginning teachers as they participate in school communities engaged in inquiry, and as they grapple with issues of…

Truancy is a major problem in the United States that can have negative effects on the futures of young people. Truancy may lead to dropping out of school; may be a precursor to delinquent and criminal activity; and places students at higher risk of being drawn into behaviors involving drugs, alcohol, or violence. Furthermore, truancy has high…

Faculty and students face new challenges and questions regarding their roles in the emerging learning paradigm brought on by educational technology. This paper discusses six shifts from traditional educational institutions to a learner-centered university. Changes and developments include: (1) the teacher: from instructional deliverer to learning…

The Training Team of the Information Resources unit at Gettysburg College (Pennsylvania) is not only responsible for answering faculty members' technology questions, but also charged with instructing the entire community in the basics of using a wide variety of applications. The Training Team is a combination of software specialists and…

There are many significant issues that need to be addressed for the future of computer-mediated communication (CMC) in education. These include: the primary benefits of CMC technology in the past; the activity structures which are supported by computer-based collaboration; technological, social, institutional and cognitive barriers which prevent…

This report has two aims: (1) to stimulate discussion on issues, strategies, and possible activities at the international level relevant to the links between early childhood development and education and primary education; and (2) to gather additional ideas and information on relevant experiences and structures, to be included in a more…

This paper provides a basic description of the methods used to make available non-instructional time and presents profiles of seven schools in the Network for Educational Renewal (NER). Each profile describes the school's unique background, approach to providing non-instructional time for teachers, and lessons learned. Some strategies identified…

Texas is in the middle of criminal justice reform and a large prison construction program, but it has become apparent that no amount of reform will make a long-term difference unless the flood of young people entering the system can be stopped. Children in Texas are in trouble, and the future demands that priorities be reexamined to address…

The Oregon Business Council (OBC)-David Douglas Model District Project was undertaken for two reasons: (1) to create a model for a district's accelerated implementation of all the elements of school reform as mandated in Oregon House Bill 3565; and (2) to learn lessons about school reform that would inform OBC member companies and school districts…

This guide presents the steps necessary to create and pursue a strategic perspective on improving the education system. The emphasis is on generating change in the classroom, and the guide focuses on districtwide school/business initiatives with the goal of basic reform. The guide is organized in six sections that cover the following: (1) the…

This paper describes a school-oriented teacher education program at the Institute of Education, University of Utrecht (Netherlands). The program prepares teachers for the upper level of secondary education in a one-year post-graduate course that follows a four-year subject matter masters program. Because half of the one-year course is…

The Brigham Young University-Public School Partnership is cited as a good example of collaborative efforts in the National Network for Educational Renewal because of the length and nature of its history, which encompasses partnerships with five school districts. During the Partnership's 13-year history, informal evaluations had been conducted but…