This keynote address offers suggestions for structural change in dental education to meet changing societal needs including programs tailored to specific local community needs, interdisciplinary efforts, public-private cooperative projects building on local health care community strengths, and international collaboration supporting both health…

A survey of 172 Australian teacher educators investigated perceptions concerning the future research and teaching roles of teacher educators, status of teacher education in the universities, and relationships between teacher educators, schools, and government. Forecasts were generally pessimistic, especially concerning autonomy of teacher…

A discussion of education in South Africa looks at the history of public policy concerning schools for blacks and whites, enrollment trends since 1969, early efforts at desegregation, and obstacles that must be overcome to make education equitable in that country. (MSE)

Restructuring middle-level education calls for broad, fundamental, and multifaceted changes in schooling. Such changes must be based on a clear articulation of how early adolescents learn and supported by congruent practices and expectations. Forward-thinking middle schools stress interdisciplinary teaming, active learning, responsible…

Four national educational reform initiatives (national goals for schools, core curriculum, national student examination system, and teacher certification processes) are examined and policy implications discussed. It is argued that, although these initiatives are progressing, they will not succeed without sustained commitment on the parts of the…

Compares public library use surveys conducted in 1948 by the American Library Association and in 1991 by the National Center for Education Statistics. Results indicate that public library use by both adults and children has risen dramatically, but library use by minorities and low income adults has changed very little. (KRN)

Describes the curriculum revision undertaken at Indiana University's Instructional Systems Technology Department. The impetus for change is discussed; stages in the revision process and major new curriculum features are covered; a brief synopsis of two relevant field studies is given; and the effect of revision on the faculty is briefly described.…

Examines the changes and challenges accompanying increased attention to early childhood education during the past several years. Interest has been piqued by the first national educational goal (readiness), big business concerns, and professionals' reexamination of the field. The authors in this special "Kappan" section examine issues…

School improvement that considers families moves toward greater understanding of learning barriers. Strategies designed to make adolescent students "feel good" must be rejected for those that encourage family involvement by creating family partnerships, using the community as a learning laboratory, promoting performance-oriented tasks that tap…

This article is a condensed version of a presentation from the 1991 Public Library Association (PLA) conference that addressed the need for appropriate responses by libraries to changing ethnic and racial populations. Topics discussed include racism, cultural competence in the library profession, adjusting library services, effective leadership,…

Faculty in 40 research university departments of physics, sociology, electrical engineering, and education were surveyed about their attitudes toward universities' competitive strategies (clever adaptation, sudden changes, elimination of less attractive units, entrepreneurial ventures). More productive, satisfied, and committed faculty were found…

Describes the Snowbird Leadership Institute (Utah), a program of leadership training for librarians who are at an early point in their professional careers. Participant selection is described; the mentoring component is discussed; and major topics covered by the institute are described, including self-knowledge, creativity and risk taking, and…

Considerations regarding stabilizing the greenhouse effect (global warming) emphasize the difficulties in launching a comprehensive plan to deal with aspects of global change. Experience gained in dealing with atmospheric issues will help in developing a process that links management and research in solving global problems. (SLD)

Explores Total Quality Management (TQM) philosophy, its industrial achievements, and its promise for education. Key elements of TQM include establishing a strong sense of school vision, promoting personal mastery learning for all organization members, focusing strategy on customer-driven values, developing outrageous goals, working effectively…

Examination of school-improvement efforts at small-town New England high school shows limits of effective leadership, site-based management, and curricular innovations as improvement agents. Efforts are doomed without community consensus about reform goals and best ways to measure progress. Communities must synthesize information about academic,…