Intended for researchers and students in mass media theory, this paper examines the development of the concept of meaning in media studies. It considers the epistemological and sociological roots of the concept, arguing that such an analysis is pivotal in understanding the differences in current research perspectives. The notion of meaning in…

Developed by a suburban school district, this manual provides guidelines for the early identification of gifted preschool children and describes Project Unicorn, a project to conceptualize, plan, and implement a classroom curriculum model for gifted young children. Project activities were based on Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development and…

A model of literacy instruction for limited-English-proficient (LEP) adults is described that is designed to increase effective parent involvement in children's education. Through the implementation of this model, LEP parents acquire language and parenting skills that allow them to participate more fully in their child's educational process. The…

In 1987, a task force was established to recommend appropriate actions to the North Carolina community college system for the regular review of curriculum instructional programs. The task force was to give particular attention to the proper roles of the colleges and the State Board of Community Colleges, the impact of regional accreditation…

In spring 1989, the California Legislature provided $5 million for faculty and staff development at California Community Colleges during the 1988-89 fiscal year. Another $5 million was allocated in July 1989 for 1989-90. These funds, allocated under Assembly Bill (AB) 1725, were provided for each campus to establish an advisory committee composed…

The articles in this journal address aspects of the general theme, "Development of the Teaching Profession," and report on research in brain dominance and certification practices. The following articles are in the theme features section: (1) "Collecting Garbage, Driving Trucks, and Waiting Tables: The Economic Reality of…

The Southern Rural Development Center in cooperation with the University of Kentucky sponsored a workshop which brought together extension and research personnel interested in rural economic development concerns (i.e., inadequate water supplies, sewer systems, and schools). The proceedings include "Community Growth Management: The Land-Grant…

The summer institute phase of the Hartford Effective Schools Initiative is evaluated in this report. Part 1 includes (1) an overview of training content; (2) a section on trainers' methods, assessing strengths and weaknesses; (3) participants' responses to training based on observations by the evaluation staff and informal interviews with…

This paper describes two conceptual models for addressing long-range development needs of principals. The first, a job competency model for managing productive schools, presents a comprehensive view of the central job tasks of the principal for stretching the school's capacity to influence achievement norms. Changing the school's work norms…

This report presents a description and evaluation of the Nature-Computer Camp (NCC), an environmental and computer science program designed for sixth grade students in the District of Columbia public schools. Inputs, processes and outcomes based on a Planning, Monitoring and Implementing (PMI) Evaluation Model are reviewed for each of the four…

Recent experience with the Computerized Adaptive Test (CAT) has raised a number of concerns about its practical applications. The concerns are principally involved with the concept of having the computer construct the test from a precalibrated item pool, and substituting statistical characteristics for the test developer's skills. Problems with…

Using an example of the model partnership program between the Sacramento City Unified School District (SCUSD) and Sacramento City College (SCC), this report offers guidance for community colleges interested in developing or expanding articulation programs with local high schools. Part 1 provides an overview of the policy issues involved in…

A guide for community leaders, extension staff, and community or rural development practitioners outlines the evolution of a regional training model for community-based problem solving in rural areas experiencing economic decline. The paper discusses the model's underlying concepts and implementation process and includes descriptions of four…

Secondary and postsecondary students can be taught writing skills using a step-by-step examination of a television news or documentary program that can be undertaken in a single class period. The procedure consists of a series of strategies to facilitate the instructional process, as follows: (1) as a warm-up mechanism, the teacher introduces the…

An admissions/enrollment model was developed using 5 years of data on undergraduate and graduate enrollment, admissions, budget and tuition revenues, and anticipated tuition costs. The model produced estimates of admissions and enrollment numbers required to meet projected increases in the institutional budget. Using a variation of the Markov…