This paper applies the quality concept of continuous improvement to academic departments, very few of which engage in a continuous improvement (CI) initiative. The goal of a CI initiative is for a department to become self-regarding, self-monitoring, and self-correcting. CI efforts begin with the development of a department-level assessment plan…

Argues that two forms of leadership exist currently in college and university foreign language departments: the top publishing and public-speaking scholars; and the people who chair the departments, dealing with the daily business of staffing courses and working with faculty and administrators. Suggests the two types of leaders operate in…

Interviews with university and college department chairs or persons responsible for existing educational administration and higher education programs evaluated the effects of a merged structure (combining the two programs) on the study of administration. Sixteen universities were visited and program heads were interviewed. Identified advantages of…

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)

As departmental program review becomes more common in college resource reallocation, department heads will be key figures in decision making. They must know what evaluation criteria will be used, such as program role in institutional mission, enrollment or credit-hour production, job-market demand, external support, program quality, and…

These four issues of the CSSEDC Quarterly (Conference for Secondary School English Department Chairpersons) represent the quarterly for 1990. Articles in number 1 deal with student teachers and include: "Student Teaching: Smoothing Out the Rough Spots" (Susan B. Argyle and Fred C. Feitler); "A Partnership for Urban Student…

Results of an evaluation of the yearly planning and budgeting process of the National Technical Institute for the Deaf at Rochester Institute of Technology are presented. To examine the effectiveness of modifications to the 1985 planning and budgeting system, 42 questionnaires were completed by assistant and associate deans, directors,…

This book examines the ways that mainstream leadership thinking does and does not apply to departments and teams in higher education institutions. It offers a way of looking at the practice of leading rather than presenting a selection of tools or tips, and it contains extensive practical advice. The chapters are: (1) "Changing"; (2) "Leadership…

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…

This booklet is designed for leaders of mathematics programs in schools. These leaders may include department chairpersons, administrators, or experienced teachers. The purpose of the document is to help provide direction for these leaders in improving their mathematics programs. The following topics are discussed: (1) getting involved in…

Based on a workshop for theatre department chairs, guidance on administrative and departmental responsibilities are provided in the following chapters: (1) "Chairs and Deans: Working Together" (J. Robert Wills); (2) "Faculty Evaluation" (Patti P. Gillespie); (3) "Evaluation for Promotion and Tenure" (James M. Symons); (4) "Production Program…

Findings from the Modern Language Association survey, based on returns from 598 2- and 4-year colleges, are reported. Factors affecting department chairs' conditions of service and perquisites were found to be the presence of a union; levels of instruction offered; number of students; number of languages offered; and faculty size. (Contains two…

The speech communication department chair's most important function involves creating a healthy departmental climate for professional growth and development. While the department chair must be able to recognize and accept the fact that some faculty members cannot or will not improve their performance, there are still four principles he or she can…

College language department heads are encouraged to become proactive in responding to change in higher education by: undertaking departmental planning; ensuring good teaching; emphasizing collegiality; thinking creatively; becoming part of any college restructuring process; identifying allies on campus; staying informed about institutional…

This annotated bibliography of recent articles and books on academic rankings updates an article in the Spring 1986 "RQ." Items are listed by subject and ranking in general; individual guides; subject areas including accounting, advertising, biogeography, business, communications, data communications, economics, music, publishing,…