Introduces this themed issue on teacher assessment and its role in school reform. Discusses factors that should be taken into account in teacher assessment, such as the tension between alternative and traditional teaching methods and awareness of the impact of home on school achievement. (SD)

Describes how a principal at a diverse elementary magnet school conducts staff development. She believes her role as staff developer is to focus development efforts. She encourages creating mandatory study groups, keeping teachers with the same students for two years, finding workday hours for training, and trying new, research-based innovations.…

Examines the issue of speech rate and listening comprehension by giving control of speech rate to students and focusing on individuals instead of groups. The study concluded that when given control, students' listening comprehension improved and improved listening comprehension was achieved by slowing down the speech rate. (21 references)…

The Eastman School of Music (New York), part of the University of Rochester, is departing from tradition by introducing contemporary music and audience awareness training into the curriculum in an effort to help students build performance careers. Eastman is one of the few music schools responding to market issues so vigorously. Some success…

Discusses ways for school districts to implement successful inclusion using various staff development methods that can be tailored to individual needs. The paper explores issues unique to inclusion that demand individualized approaches, offers a model for developing staff development activities, and presents an example of one district's successful…

At City College of San Francisco (California), a high-transfer institution, the Institutional Research and Planning office champions change by actively disseminating information to the campus community, asking faculty and staff to reflect on and respond to it, and providing leadership and support throughout the planning process. This promotes…

The Newark School System has implemented a systemwide reform, "Learn through the Lens of Science," which has several components that build and sustain the district's capacity for science education (e.g., establishing long-range planning processes, partnering with universities, and creating a science materials distribution center). The…

The No Child Left Behind Act requires all teachers to be highly qualified by 2005-06. Accomplishing this will require statewide collaboration among higher education, school districts, certification boards, and departments of education. Data from recent studies of teacher recruitment, retention, and professional development in Wyoming illustrate…

This case study details the circumstances that led to a revised policy on gifted education in a large suburban school district. It discusses factors that affected advocacy efforts and emphasizes the importance of key individuals, commitment, tenacity, and the necessity of a system being in place for change to occur. (Contains references.)…

Explores the approach taken by one Catholic District School Board in Hamilton, Ontario to build an inclusive community. Describes the history of special education in Canada, the development of an inclusive philosophy in the district, the support of administrators and educators, the use of various collaborative strategies such as school resource…

Issues in reform of international business and economics education at Tartu University (Estonia) are discussed, including need for faculty development, faculty reallocation, and redistribution of resources within the country's new social and economic context. It is argued that reform depends on effective integration of foreign experts with more…

Recent experiences of manufacturing and commercial service industries provide insights to college facilities managers for combining downsizing with quality improvement. The Service Excellence Model emphasizes creation of shared responsibility, focus on core service processes, empowerment of cross-functional process-improvement teams, performance…

Outlines the history of higher education in Vietnam since 1975, identifies key historical and current issues that prevent Vietnamese higher education from serving the country's need for social and economic development, and provides suggestions to help other countries' institutions develop links with Vietnam. (MSE)

Argues that workforce and economic development in urban areas are linked and that community colleges must develop new strategies to meet these challenges. Reviews urban trends and advocates focusing on the demand side of the labor market, or getting employers to become driving forces in shaping job preparation. (AJL)

Presents recent data on 2,700 manufacturing plants that employ fewer than 500 employees. Suggests that low-road shops (i.e., those that are not very systematic, modern, or distinctive) outperform high-road shops. Argues that community colleges currently provide training geared toward low-road plants, but that they should shift their focus toward…