Simultaneous trends in student demography, consumer patterns, competition, limited resources, and information technology combine to make possible truly revolutionary change in higher education. The same mix of intelligent planning, risk taking, and technology that has enabled institutions to create change during retrenchment can help address these…

Reviews trends in catalog and technical service departments in response to information needs of library patrons, administrations of catalog and technical services departments, and professional standards that no longer meet patron needs. Discusses patron search patterns; the role of catalogers; and results of sharing cataloging records, downsizing,…

Describes the development of a long-term plan for the transformation of literacy practices in a small K-8 school district. Discusses the superintendent's role in facilitating the change process. Appends a sample project action plan presented to the board of education and three sample school board presentations. (SR)

This article suggests that "The Bell Curve: Intelligence and Class Structure in American Life" (Richard Herrnstein, Charles Murray), a controversial book about the relationship of intelligence to social class, has exposed a wide chasm between two major paradigms concerning the forces that shape human behavior, and that the debate has…

By focusing on current social and technological change, critics of higher education often fail to see that the greatest challenge is the need to restructure the lower division studies, which are currently simply less-intensive versions of specialized curricula. To address this need, trustees need to bring about change in three areas: curricular,…

Drawing on research that considers out-of-school conditions, in-school conditions, and transformational leadership, the article constructs a strategy for building teachers' commitment to change, demonstrating that alterability of variables by facilitators of teacher commitment can positively influence curriculum reform. Findings explaining…

The way in which the University of Botswana went about building the consensus necessary to develop a new administrative and management structure is described. The process began with a commission review to address increasing demand, and progressed to recommendations, governing council response, a task force for reorganization, and implementation.…

Suggests that children can learn to successfully resolve problems by age four. Describes two interpersonal problem-solving thinking skills (alternative solution thinking and consequential thinking) which, if used by children, facilitate better adjustment and greater social competence. Teaching children problem-solving techniques, or how to think,…

Summarizes ongoing research on the children of mothers assigned to participate in the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills training program (JOBS). Identifies the problems inherent in generalizing from the available data and underscores the need for future research steps to understand the implications for children of programs to enhance the…

Traces the redefinition of "diversity" at one university as it evolved from the initial vision of a small number of faculty, students, and administrators, many of whom had connections to a women's studies program, to its adoption and implementation as an undergraduate general education requirement. The author's observations as one…

Describes one school's staff development efforts as the school made the transition from junior high to middle school. Presents a four-step framework for adapting to student learning at the middle level. (HTH)

Examines Michigan's educational reform efforts. The author describes the vision that guided the reform movement and outlines the state's education system when reform efforts were begun in 1989. Financial, structural, and political impediments to reform are discussed. Finally, the changes that have occurred and those that are being sought in order…

Misconceptions about educational testing and school assessment are ingrained in U.S. society and in the knowledge structure of educational professionals. Tests and assessments are highly ethnocentric, ignoring knowledge valued by many cultures. The article examines misconceptions and makes recommendations for an informed discourse on using testing…

This paper reviews the status of children with disabilities throughout the world. It summarizes United Nations information on the prevalence of disability and on prevention efforts. Progress is noted in the areas of immunization, increased early intervention services, community-based rehabilitation, and increased recognition of governmental…

Medical education's current goal of producing 50% generalists, composed of practitioners in internal medicine, family practice, and pediatrics, is examined. Issues include the definition of generalist, the number of generalists needed, changes needed in graduate and undergraduate medical education, changes needed in the practice environment, and…