This document provides state education agencies (SEAs) and districts with guidance about how to assess a district's readiness to support school turnaround initiatives. First published in 2013, the guide has been updated in this edition to highlight how its approach to assessing district readiness embeds and reflects key components of "Four…

The Outside World Experience (OWE) Index--a weighted index of industrial, government, business, consulting, or other experience outside academia--is discussed as an important assessment measure for department faculty. Formulas for calculating the OWE Index as applied to schools, departments, and individual faculty members are included. (SF)

In November 1985, a study was conducted within 10 State University of New York community colleges to determine whether faculty and department heads in a profession-based department (i.e., Business) and a discipline-based department (i.e., English) had the same perceptions of organizational effectiveness characteristics and organizational culture…

Presents a plan that extends current teaching practices through a strategy that increases teacher salaries without the use of merit pay. (MD)

Inventory by cash register is recommended as an efficient means of keeping orderly, departmentalized college store records. A series of procedures and suggestions are provided for accuracy and completeness of records. (MSE)

Nearly 80,000 scholars currently serve as department chairs, and almost one-quarter will need to be replaced each year. Such a high turnover rate is partly due to surprises and unexpected sacrifices embedded in the department chair position. In an effort to help professors prepare for and overcome unforseen tradeoffs, the University Council for…

Describes the process which was used at Emporia State University in the development of a five-year plan. Included are a discussion of the factors and conditions which instigated the planning, the process used, faculty involvement, and the components which were included in each department's plan. (Author/SJL)

A division of chemical education has been created within the chemistry department at Purdue University. The nature of chemical education, impediments to research and development in chemical education, and future directions of the division are discussed. (JN)

Presents strategic planning designed to help academic institutions. Describes five key elements: situation analysis; mission statement; objectives; creating strategies; and tactics. Discusses the implementation, benefits, and side-effects of strategic planning. (YP)

While the California State Department of Education (SDE) holds the primary responsibility for the success of the California educational system, the Federal Government also supports state and local educational activities. The intent of this document is to assist local educators in understanding federal education programs and communicating with the…

Highlights an American Chemical Society (ACS) survey of 103 chemistry departments on their instrumentation needs. The 2-year study affirms that instruments used for chemical research and education are becoming outdated because of their age and changes in technology. The survey also reveals how departments plan to use newly acquired instruments.…

A method for scheduling teaching assignments is described that can asssist in projecting future course offering needs, assess the impact of consolidating or rescheduling sections, determine the necessary interests and qualifications of faculty additions, and predict the impact of a faculty member's absence. (MSE)

Describes the University of Kansas chemistry department's safety program. Comprehensive regulation, undergraduate regulations, safety equipment, handling accidents, inspections, and training are addressed. (JN)

Asserts that most efforts to maintain professional ethics in psychology have focused on research and clinical practice. Maintains that a need also exists for ethical codes in psychology instruction. Describes the development and implementation of a code of ethics for a college-level department of psychology. (CFR)

Describes the three-year process of obtaining renewable four-year contracts and other benefits, including sabbatical leave eligibility, for University of Vermont non-tenure-track faculty and part-time lecturers. Highlights the arguments presented to faculty and administration and the support of various groups (faculty women's caucus, faculty…