The concepts of excellence now widely adopted in business also apply to higher education and include five fundamental areas of competence: taking innovative action, getting back in touch with past and present customers, existing for the customer, fostering individual commitment, and instilling unique values. (MSE)

This paper traces the development of learning resources cooperation in northern Illinois community colleges. Discussion covers the community college philosophy and learning resources concept, background of the Northern Illinois Learning Resources Cooperative, success factors, activities (cooperative purchasing, information and resources sharing,…

Having worked for several years with three Wisconsin school districts, the author describes the metaplan that emerged for developing districtwide improvement plans. He presents a completed plan to clarify the process. The participating school districts welcome inquiries. (Author/TE)

Discusses the pairings of Boston public schools with local colleges, collaborations which were court-mandated to facilitate school desegregation. Outlines historical and judicial background and analyzes assumptions about change and reaction within a forced collaborative setting. Offers recommendations to staff development interventionists working…

Argues that lack of appropriate attitudes and skills has hampered the ability of child care practitioners to enhance the public image of child care and to use marketing strategies to serve the consumers of child care services most effectively. Recommends articulated career paths and specific interventions with practitioners to reverse this…

Approved by the teachers' union, this salary plan features probationary, continuing contract, and career levels. The career level rewards excellence, and eligible teachers must demonstrate involvement in professional activities and receive outstanding evaluation. Instrumental to the program's success is the possibility of appealing evaluations.…

A collaborative computer literacy program in Kentucky involves the University of Louisville and surrounding school districts in a staff development cooperative. University faculty are trained to teach district trainers, who then work with their own staffs. (PP)

This report highlights initiatives and accomplishments of the National Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Resource Center on Cultural Competency and a related consortium of 12 states and the District of Columbia from October 1992 through September 1995. Following an introductory section, the first chapter focuses on the role of the National MCH…

This book offers resources for resiliency education and an action plan for building inner strength and flexibility in students and staff. Eight chapters include: (1) "Resiliency Defined" (e.g., risk research versus resiliency and using the six-step resiliency wheel); (2) "How Schools Foster Resiliency in Students" (e.g.,…

This brief paper on promoting the self-determination of students with severe disabilities begins by identifying barriers to training in self-determination skills, such as a perceived lack of student benefit and insufficient staff training. The question of whether students with severe disability benefit from instruction to promote…

This publication summarizes the proceedings of a Montessori colloquium on adolescence, designed for trainers and practitioners to find common ground between the theory of Erdkinder (observing children and, accordingly, creating a suitable environment) and practice as seen in current Montessori secondary programs. Opening remarks on the need for a…

Educational paraprofessionals can provide strong, multidimensional support for students' academic success. The first part of this book presents information on roles for education paraprofessionals in effective schools, focusing on the history of paraprofessionals as multifaceted members of the schools staff, the work of paraprofessionals, how to…

This brief two-page policy statement presents the Charleston County (South Carolina) School District Board of Trustees reading policy. It begins by noting that the district will emphasize early literacy development, reading across the content areas, and interventions for struggling readers, and that schools shall be responsible for designing and…

Scotland Against Drugs, a privately funded partnership, launched a national staff development program known as the Primary School Initiative (PSI). The initiative provides an opportunity for schools and local authorities to evaluate their drug education efforts. The training encourages teachers to develop their own drug education policies and…

With employees in many organizations now expected to act as if they are self-employed in order to preserve their employability, managers need to assume new responsibilities to provide career coaching. Some outputs of career coaching are education of staff in career self-management, guidance of staff in the use of career analysis and planning…