Adopting a new technology is an important decision for many academic institutions. Colleges have had to upgrade technology or face diminishing enrollment as students choose to attend other, more responsive institutions. New and imaginative approaches to technology have been developed and implemented by faculty, support staff, and students to…

Since No Child Left Behind was enacted, school districts have felt forced to focus on testing. Almost every curriculum decision is based on raising test scores. Under pressure to raise test scores, teachers are encouraged to implement strategies in their classrooms to prepare their students for the PSSA. No Child Left Behind has left school…

If a school is seeking to incorporate more collaborative approaches to teaching and learning, the design of the learning environment--whether it's a classroom or a more informal space--can be a critical factor in making this transformative move. Technology, in particular, can play a pivotal role in enabling students to work effectively in teams…

This article reports that Temple University, like several other urban institutions, has revamped its core curriculum to focus on its location. The "Creative Spirit" course, which fills the university's arts requirement, is one of about 30 courses in Temple's new core curriculum that are taking students off the campus and into the heart…

School-based commercialism exists whenever a district enters into a relationship with a business that provides access to students or staff in exchange for fiscal or in-kind resources (i.e., goods or services). The practice includes business sponsorship of school activities (e.g., sporting events), exclusive agreements (e.g., pouring rights…

Throughout the 1980's, the notion of standards came to the forefront throughout the education world. Groups questioned how to define quality teaching. The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards was developed to meet this need providing a voluntary national certification to identify accomplished teachers. Since its inception,…

One hundred fifty-two undergraduate students at Mansfield University of Pennsylvania were surveyed to determine if the involvement of their liaison librarian in theater productions and orchestra had an effect on their relationship with the library. The study shows positive and statistically significant results for students who participated in…

This quantitative, descriptive study examined the specific factors that novice surgical technologists (preceptees) and practicing surgical technologists (preceptors) perceived as important to a successful learning partnership. The Learning Partnership Survey was administered to a convenience sample of 66 surgical technologists employed at an acute…

In 2007, the Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) requested that the RAND Corporation monitor implementation of year 2 (2007-2008) of the district's Excellence for All (EFA) initiative and provide feedback to district staff, the PPS board, and other stakeholders. In 2008, RAND expanded to a more comprehensive focus on effective implementation of EFA's…

A survey of 26 businesses and 12 schools in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, was conducted to ascertain the emphasis which should be given to oral communication training by business educators. In general, both groups favored improving oral communication. (CH)

The purpose of this study was to examine how experienced elementary general music teachers perceived the effectiveness of their instructional interactions with students in the music classroom. The following questions were addressed in this study: What types of interactions do experienced teachers use most frequently and perceive as effective in…

The purpose of this study was to analyse the beliefs about inclusion and teaching students with disabilities of physical education teachers from various countries and cultures. The participants were 29 physical education teachers from Ghana (Africa), Japan, the US and Puerto Rico. The research method was explanatory multiple-case study situated in…

A small but growing body of research has demonstrated the merits of linking victimization to a life course perspective. Although cross-sectional studies have shown a strong association between deviant lifestyles and victimization, few have assessed this association from the life course perspective. Drawing data from a prospective, longitudinal…

Globalization has exerted pressure on educational leaders to prepare students for an increasingly complex world. Institutions of higher education in the United States are striving to transform students into global citizens, and translating these imperatives into specialized curricula. However, no common definition for "global citizen"…

The purpose of this study was to examine teacher screening and selection tools currently being utilized by public school districts in Pennsylvania and to compare these tools to the research on qualities of effective teachers. The researcher developed four research questions that guided her study. The Pennsylvania Association of School Personnel…