Discrepancies between staff perceptions of program efficacy and empirical evaluations of program effectiveness were studied for two drug education and prevention programs. Possible explanations involve: (1) the relatively low drug involvement of the study population; (2) differing expectations about program impacts; and (3) the sensitivity of…

Profiles a midwestern college that uses innovative techniques to educate students. Highlights the importance of performance, feedback, self-assessment, competing against oneself, organizational makeup, and assessment strategies. Outlines eight abilities, such as communication, analysis, problem solving, and social interaction, that all students…

Investigated the leadership behaviors of 78 Orientation Advisors (OAs) to determine whether certain practices made any difference in the effectiveness of OAs or in the value of the orientation programs to new students. Results indicate significant and consistent relationships between leadership behaviors and perceived effectiveness and…

Whenever performance assessment has been introduced into statewide testing programs, various potentially paralyzing difficulties have been encountered surrounding test accuracy, reliability, validity, or suitability. Programs in some states have been discontinued or placed in jeopardy. It is uncertain whether educators can overcome these problems…

This article discusses concerns and guidelines regarding the placement of gifted and talented students in inclusive settings, such as the effectiveness of inclusive programs in meeting gifted students' needs, the effects of inclusion on gifted students and other students, the lack of evidence to support inclusion for gifted education, and funding…

Defines program implementation and discusses its implications. Describes eight components of effective program implementation which fall under four broad categories: (1) communication; (2) involvement; (3) evaluation; (4) commitment. Shows how these components can be linked directly to the six steps of traditional analytic problem-solving. (AEF)

The efficiency of public day care centers in Sweden was studied by collecting data on inputs and services for about 200 centers and analyzing the information by data envelopment analysis. Results show large differences in efficiencies among centers, but these differences have few systematic relations to quality. (SLD)

This paper discusses the effectiveness of the Rehabilitation Success Rate (RSR) in measuring outcomes of workplace-based occupational rehabilitation services. The RSR is a ratio of the number of employees eligible for a rehabilitation program and the number of eligible employees successfully rehabilitated in one year. Two pilot studies involving…

The efficacy of different schedules of reinforcement (progressive and fixed) for promoting and sustaining cigarette abstinence was compared using 60 cigarette smokers. Results found that the progressive and fixed groups achieved greater levels of abstinence than controls and that the progressive group was less likely to resume smoking. (Author/CR)

Self-paced interactive training can be the most effective way to train. The point of multimedia training is to create a dynamic educational construct where people learn because they are totally engaged. (JOW)

Outlines a model program for rewarding excellence, primarily in a Catholic elementary school that has discretionary funds for rewards and recognition, though it may be adapted for any school. Presents a monthly award system that utilizes Catholic culture and permeates the entire school year. Cites Disney program as a model. (NB)

Reviews research on the Transcendental Meditation (TM) program relevant to the treatment and prevention of criminal behavior and substance abuse. Incarcerated offenders show rapid positive changes in risk factors associated with criminal behavior, including anxiety, aggression, hostility, moral judgment, in-prison rule infractions, and substance…

Presents the thesis that Consciousness-Based education, including the practice of the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique, can be a highly effective tool for reducing or eliminating violent behavior in schools. Reviews research demonstrating that practice of the technique reduces 23 identified risk factors for crime in four broad…

Discusses the challenges of teacher retention and proposes that systems thinking can be used to address those challenges. Considers five strategies for retaining teachers. Suggests that the five strategies discussed can provide comprehensive programs to reduce teacher attrition and create stable teacher teams. (SG)

Discusses the term Theatre for Development (TFD) by addressing the theatre practice developed by a group of women in Mundemba Sub-Division, Cameroon, which was presented in Anne Tanyi-Tang's article "Theatre for Change: An Analysis of Two Performances by Women in Mundemba Sub-Division" in an earlier issue of this journal. Considers…