Describes a successful literacy project involving the teacher, parents, and children in one kindergarten class in a small rural community in New South Wales, Australia. Discusses the classroom setting, teacher's approaches and reading style, introduction of a "writing center," parent involvement, role of the school library and librarian,…

A Swedish university program in which French language students played parts in a series of Moliere plays is described. The activity integrated linguistic, cultural, and literary objectives, and included text analyses, pronunciation instruction, and development of oral expression. (MSE)

Application of the Total Quality Management approach to one aspect of the administration of South Bank University (England), the relationship between student as customer and university as supplier, is described. The technique includes development of service quality standards and agreements for each service, support, and academic department. (MSE)

A portfolio model, using student evaluations and faculty publishing records, designed for classifying faculty at Ball State University (Indiana) is described, policy alternatives arising from the new method are examined, and a more general portfolio model using a variety of measures of teaching effectiveness and research activities is suggested.…

The University of Missouri-Kansas City medical school, which offers a combined bachelor's-medical degree, created a first-year support program to help first-year students meet significant academic and developmental challenges. The program includes academic advising, learning skills assessment, peer and individual tutoring, career counseling, and…

The University of Miami (Florida) has both institutional and department-specific task forces studying seven planning issues from different perspectives, to be coordinated with the central strategic planning process at the appropriate time. Issues include curriculum, interdisciplinary program development, administrative productivity, faculty…

The Gateway to Higher Education program, established in New York City in 1986, has demonstrated that minority students who perform at least at grade level can begin a rigorous college preparatory curriculum in ninth grade and achieve outstanding academic achievement through their high school years, if necessary support is available. (Author/MSE)

An international project is setting a research agenda for examining ways in which demands for change in higher education are shaped and interpreted by the higher education community in different countries. The research focuses on (1) the regulatory relationship between government and higher education institutions, and (2) classification and…

Describes the evolution of Stetson University's More Effective Teaching Program (MET) from a writing-across-the-curriculum (WAC) faculty development program to a voluntary collaborative learning and teaching project. Focuses on the grassroots work of a faculty committee to design and maintain the research-based program. (DMM)

Describes a microcomputer-based program of assessment and instruction in language arts incorporated into the developmental curriculum at four colleges. Discusses the instructional value of assessment. Describes three different implementation modes. Finds a climate for experimentation, a program champion, an implementation team, and organizational…

Describes how the Civic Achievement Award Program, a new initiative of the Close Up Foundation, combines reading, writing, research, and community service in teaching citizenship to fifth through eighth grade students. (PRA)

A teaching model which focuses on the development of cognitive sophistication as a means of preparing social work students for culturally sensitive practice is described. The content was presented in three stages: bias was defined; the functions of bias were discussed; and vignettes were given to the class for analysis. (Author/MLW)

Describes the growing involvement of U.S. two-year colleges in establishing programs abroad to enable foreign students to complete one or two years of college-level work in their home country before transferring to U.S. universities. Highlights the activities of several community colleges in the Pacific Rim. Identifies conditions basic to future…

Describes a project where children follow the natural progression of becoming literate in their native language (Spanish) before developing literacy in the language of the school. Demonstrates the manner in which social interaction is part of literacy acquisition at the early stages. (MG)

Describes how two Queensborough Community College reading faculty staged a debate for developmental students to illustrate the connections between reading, writing, and critical thinking; and to encourage students to critically question and evaluate what they read and hear. Details follow-up writing and group assignments, including a student…