Observation of 30 ward staff members responsible for 39 institutionalized mentally retarded residents over a 40-week period found that staff differentially distributed their activities depending on the type of contract they were employed under and the number of consecutive days they worked. Number of staff present was a major factor in determining…

Changing principals' orientation from manager to participatory leader takes planning, determination, and time. Management by Walking Around (MBWA), the crucial prerequisite, requires a demonstrated commitment to making people the highest priority, using time efficiently, scheduling MBWA and following through, leading by example, demonstrating the…

In a survey of 150 teachers (48 responses) and 60 nurses (43) recently involved in adult education, chief stressors were conflicts between study and work/family commitments and assignment deadlines. Often the roles of worker and parent took precedence over that of learner, although study was rewarding and enhanced self-esteem. (SK)

Discusses time management strategies that are particularly useful for school librarians. Highlights include setting realistic goals; active participation in learning and practicing time management skills; the use of day planners to help focus on goals and priorities; decision making for handling papers; controlling interruptions; and delegating…

Presents ideas to help teachers make one-computer classrooms work. Suggestions include making sure the teacher masters the computer, managing computer time, using keyboarding strategies (such as photocopied keyboards for practice), and using time-saving techniques (e.g., previewing programs, pooling resources, and treating computers with care).…

Discusses how a secondary school English teacher focuses not on the carefully plotted beginnings and endings of lessons but the middle moments, which surrender first and last things to concentrate on expressions of creative power. (RS)

Recent survey of time usage in restructuring schools disclosed five time-management strategies, including freed-up time (temporary interventions freeing teachers from scheduling constraints), restructured or rescheduled time, common time (for teacher planning and preparation), better-used time (to replace faculty meetings and professional…

Six focus groups with 49 rural residents identified concerns about balancing work and family (time, energy, conflicting demands, child care), causes of imbalance, and types of help needed. Results were used to plan programs on time and resource management, meal planning, and relationship skills. (SK)

By controlling their time, superintendents can attend to their personal well-being and work priorities. Administrators should create a pleasure list, determine priorities, communicate politely yet firmly, learn to say no, discourage interferences, exercise regularly, ensure board compliance, budget quiet time, recognize limits to efficiency, and…

Assesses the effects of a psychoeducational group for adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Results show that the group experience has statistically significant effects in improving organization skills by helping participants examine and change their thoughts, feelings, and actions to improve time management and task…

Investigated the nature and extent of externally imposed interruptions to teaching and learning sessions in 12 schools in Western Canada, using survey questionnaires and nonparticipant observation strategies. Frequency of class intrusions may be underestimated, and more concerted efforts may be necessary to address the problem. (MLH)

Analyzed how British primary schools interpreted discretionary time, noting how that interpretation related to amounts of time given to different subjects within the National Curriculum. Surveys and interviews indicated that over half of the schools had 5% or less of the week available for discretionary time. Circle time and health education were…

Data from a time-diary survey suggest that the average elementary school teacher works almost two hours per day more than the time required by contract. However, findings show that choice of measurement substantially affects time estimates. (JOW)

How educators think about and use time is woven into school cultures. School leaders must learn to read the culture and focus staff development on cultural issues affecting how people use time. This paper discusses cultures that nurture and wound and describes how to shape more nurturing cultures (read the school's culture, assess views of time,…

Block scheduling can help high school principals become staff-development leaders. It gives teachers more time to help individual students and contributes to improved achievement, attendance, and graduation rates. This paper describes the results of research on block scheduling in urban high schools and concludes that block scheduling can support…