To raise the learning bar for all students, schools must overcome some major obstacles, such as children's problems, schools' traditional grade structure, the "upholstery" curriculum, and ideology-driven educational strategies. Schools should reject top-down standards, craft diverse strategies for diverse students, create flexible learning time…

Describes a person-centered planning approach for involving students with disabilities and their families in the transition planning process. Components of person-centered planning are discussed, including development of a personal profile, identification of future lifestyle preferences, action steps and responsible parties, and necessary changes…

Before educators can help children unlearn racial prejudice, they should realize that children develop societal stereotypes and biases by age 3 or 4. A Seattle multiculturalism expert suggests that schools create an overall cooperative atmosphere, sponsor cross-school events that bring kids from different backgrounds together, and ensure equal…

Many Americans view today's youth as menacing. Actually, a small percentage are arrested or incarcerated for violent offenses, only 5% are arrested for anything, adults commit 86% of all crimes, and teenage male violence is a long-standing phenomenon. However, youth homicide is a gun-fueled epidemic. Educators must resist legislators'…

Examines a range of publications classified into coursebooks, business communication skills, and supplementary materials used in Business English courses. Findings reveal that progress has been achieved in incorporating flexibility, interest, and relevance in coursebooks and that most materials have a variety of native and non-native speakers on…

An August 1996 conference on innovation in college student services is described, including discussion of the University of Delaware's student services model, common factors in program development identified by participants, common barriers, and the innovations undertaken at a number of diverse higher education institutions around the country.…

The University of California at Los Angeles, in attempting to respond to state legislators' demands to redirect teaching and research to match society's needs, has faced substantial administrative challenges. A Responsibility Center Management model for strategic institutional planning has failed to produce desired changes and has tended to…

Miami-Dade Community College (Florida), faced with rapidly changing community and student needs, became known for strategic, swift, student-oriented planning and adaptation to ethnic diversity. Ironically, the president who undertook this challenge, handing over more policy setting and control to faculty and staff, was criticized for moving too…

Describes the March 1997 meeting of the Forum on the Future of Academic Medicine, devoted to two issues: how academic medical centers (AMCs) fund their complex activities and manage their resources; and the multiple missions, values, and cultures of AMCs. (MSE)

Argues that, in many countries, national governments are less able to fund higher education, and higher education may be becoming a lower priority, which increases competition among institutions. Universities will need to become more responsive to local and regional communities' needs, increase their utility to society to maintain public support,…

Recent proposals for including service-learning in teacher education focus on challenging teachers' assumptions about traditional modes of schooling. Also seen is the need to involve preservice teachers in projects centered on needs of children and youth; sensitize them to changes in demographic and social contexts of schooling consistent with…

Solutions to some enduring problems in elementary and secondary education may be found in the intersection of educational reform, teacher education, and service-learning. Service-learning in both K-12 and teacher education can help educators understand intelligence as multiple and dynamic, understand the learning context as both school- and…

Examines ways to increase the effectiveness of partnerships between schools, families, and communities. Recommends using smarter communication, making the school more welcoming to families and communities, reaching out to reluctant families, enlisting parents and community agencies to help educate children, and helping families obtain support for…

The "Essentials of Best Practice in Professional Development for Sustained Change Model" is based on recent research in professional development, adult learning theory, shared leadership, effective schools, and the change process. The model views increased student learning as the goal; schools as the unit of change; professional…

This article presents two case examples of secondary level schools that have successfully included students with mild disabilities throughout the general education program. Both examples indicate that the building of an environment conducive to inclusion takes considerable time and a broad base of faculty and administrative support and commitment.…