Findings of a study that examined the effects of teacher behavior and organizational factors on student behavior in peer work groups are presented in this paper. Methodology included observation of one classroom from each of 10 Dutch elementary schools that frequently used forms of peer work groups and teacher interviews. Findings indicate that…

This paper presents findings of a study that examined the influence of organizational and instructional factors on the efficacy of cooperative learning in Dutch classrooms, as measured by student achievement. To answer the question "What is the degree to which primary schools in the Netherlands use cooperative learning," a questionnaire…

A strategic planning process for work force development has been proposed as the best way to improve the coordination of Utah's many employment and training programs. At both the state and federal level, it is widely recognized that employment and training issues have not been addressed in a very coherent way. Both the federal and state…

Recognizing the difficult time most youths face in finding a good job after high school graduation, the Austin (Texas) Independent School District developed strategies to improve the transition. A high level of collaborative activity was already underway in Austin between the school district and the community, but most programs had been started…

This guidebook provides practical information for developing educational partnerships, which is based on the experiences of 30 different partnerships in the Office of Educational Research and Improvement's (OERI) Educational Partnership Program. Conclusions about the process of developing a partnership are offered. First, partnerships should be…

This updated report provides illustrative examples of more than 100 projects and activities of California State University (CSU) which address CSU involvement with California public schools. Focus is on activities in four areas: (1) meeting the needs of diverse student populations; (2) strengthening K-12 curriculum and instruction; (3) recruiting,…

By applying the principles of total quality management (TQM), freshman composition can be taught in a way that focuses on the customer (the student), engenders a willingness for continuous improvement, builds quality into the process of writing, empowers the student to become responsible for his/her work, and allows students to make the necessary…

This policy brief synthesizes the proceedings of a symposium on children and family services, focusing on elements of successful collaboration among human services agencies. In the first section of the brief, the meaning of collaboration in the family services context is clarified, and ways in which the current focus on collaboration differs from…

This study, undertaken at a Michigan high school, examined the development of collaborative relationships among school personnel, community members, and agency staff for the effective transition of students with disabilities from school to adult life. It attempted to identify the essential components and common barriers to such relationships and…

Institutions offering distance education courses realize the value that well-trained and well-prepared faculty contribute to the success of their distance education programs. However, taking approximately a half-hour in the first session of any course to prepare the students for their distance education experience will add to the success of the…

This paper presents a model that profiles organizations as they attempt to implement strategic distance learning. This model, Stages of Organizational Technology Capability for Distance Learning, identifies behaviors exhibited by business and industry that maximize use of technology for education and training at a distance, and ultimately…

Elementary school students often exhibit a lack of social skills that interferes with positive classroom interaction. This action research project examined the impact of an intervention for improving respect for others, self control, and listening to increase cooperative behavior in students. The targeted population consisted of a class of fourth…

This document is a curriculum guide for a 4-year articulated engineering technology program created by the Heart of Ohio Tech Prep Consortium. The program covers the last 2 years of high school and a two-year college technical degree. The guide begins with a map of the program and includes the following sections: (1) secondary and postsecondary…

This study examines the association between the number of study group sessions a student attends, the student's attitude toward these sessions, and expected grade for the class. Seven hundred and two students participated in the study, 30% of whom never attended a study group session. Of the remaining 70% who did participate, 24% attended five or…

The Collaborative Technology Integration (CTI) project consisted of workshops that involved collaboration efforts between faculty members from Mary Washington College (Virginia) and graduate students in instructional technology from West Virginia University. The project paired up individuals from the two schools to work together on the integration…