Presents thought from school library media specialists regarding collection development. Topics include first-year experiences; the importance of cataloging; selection criteria; selection sources; and weeding. (LRW)

Defines models and describes information search models that can be helpful to instructional media specialists in meeting users' abilities and information needs. Explains pathfinders and Kuhlthau's information search process, including the pre-writing information search process. (LRW)

This article discusses the role of supported employment specialists, professionals who help identify, coordinate, and/or provide individualize employment and related services to person with the most significant disabilities. Recruitment of employment specialists, hiring considerations, and selection criteria are discussed. Sample interview…

Discusses improving student test scores based on an interview with Bob Berkowitz, co-developer of the Big6 approach to problem solving. Highlights include experiences at Wayne Central High School (Ontario Center, NY); cooperation between library media specialists and classroom teachers; viewing instruction as a series of information problems; and…

The search for valid measures of giftedness has resulted in confused and complicated procedures which leave classroom teachers feeling divorced from the process. A need exists for an operational relationship between ability identification and programing and for classroom teachers to be aware of and involved in the process of identification. (JDD)

Argues that current technologies offer unique possibilities for instructional improvement and identifies probable obstacles to exploitation of these opportunities for all students, including female, handicapped, inner-city and rural, minority, disadvantaged, and average learners. A 2-tiered model is presented for the media specialist addressing…

The sixth-year educational specialist degree is proposed as the most logical advance toward a higher level of post-master's inservice education for teachers. Objectives and advantages of sixth year programs are outlined. (IAH)

Presents a program planning process for cooperative planning by teachers and media specialists. Planning elements described include objectives; content; organization; methodology; activities; and evaluation. A planning checklist is included. (MES)

Describes two search models for school libraries. Models include searches defined by the student but conducted by a trained searcher, and student-conducted searches which teach search skills. Decisions about which model (or combination) to use should be based on the available resources and the purposes for conducting the search. (AEF)

Explores ways in which school library media specialists can use advance organizers such as concept maps, picture files, and books without words to teach library skills to students with limited English proficiency. The author also shows how these resources can help teachers teach in the various content areas. (GR)

Discusses contributions of educators in improving the quality and credibility of postgraduate distance courses taught in Brazil and examines positions of specialists on distance education and higher education supervision in relation to specialization and upgrading distance education courses. Provides Brazilian distance education experiences and…

Examines the evolution of the Whole Language curriculum, its current theory and practices, and its effect on the school library media center. The similarity between Whole Language and the Montessori approach to literacy is discussed, and the role of the media specialist in a Whole Language library media center is described. (31 references) (LRW)

This article describes community-based developmental assessment (CDA) sites as one means for early identification of infants and toddlers with disabilities. At CDA sites, developmentalists assess referred children for developmental status and serve as liaison between the referring physician and the early intervention system. CDA sites are cost…

Describes a study of secondary school library media specialists that was conducted to investigate the potential use of reference transaction measures. The use of the Reference Transaction Module is explained which used three different output measures: Transaction Analysis, Reference Completion Rate, and Transactions per Student. (LRW)

Discusses methods that software evaluation organizations use to evaluate instructional software. Topics addressed include who does the evaluating, including the role of students as well as teachers, subject matter experts, media specialists, and school administrators; reliability of evaluations; and possible improvements in the evaluation process.…