What happens when the rhetoric of school reform meets the realities of school change? In this book, a teacher offers a down-to-earth, very personal, often funny account of what life is like in a middle-class, suburban high school where teachers, students, and administrators struggle against school bureaucracy, inertia, and the difficulty of…

International strategic alliances are established by two or more companies as synergistic relationships to achieve a common goal where both parties benefit. The evolving global market has focused renewed interest on these alliances as an important tool in penetrating new markets. No country has achieved as much success as Japan in forging such…

Followup and tie in between regular classrooms and gifted programs are essential for quality programing. "Ownership" of the program by the entire school community, including counselors, librarians, and administrators, is also important. (CL)

The author suggests that the transdisciplinary approach, in which rigid boundaries of professionals' disciplines are broken down to facilitate teamwork, is the most effective way to implement mandates of P.L. 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act.

Successful team building depends on the presence of four fundamental concepts of group behavior: (1) shared knowledge, vocabulary, and level of sophistication; (2) shared territory; (3) similar status; and (4) shared access to communications networks. (SK)

Some causes of and solutions to violence in American sports (including professional, amateur, and youth programs) are outlined. (JMF)

Four places to look in order to identify those who have the best potential as fund raisers for a college are the best givers, corporate heads, salespersons, and the deeply dedicated. Team solicitation is advocated and is seen as more powerful than an appeal made by an individual. (MLW)

Discusses the importance of increasing the level of participation and partnership of the illustrator with the author and publisher in textbook publishing. (CMV)

New management teams should not try to borrow purposes and organizational structures; they should develop their own, based on the unique needs of their district and their team members. Organizational structures are less important than interpersonal trust in the smooth functioning of a management team. (SJL)

Increasingly, school boards are using consultants to help them hire the right superintendents for their school systems. Proposes extending the consultants' contracts to coaching both board and superintendents on developing an effective working relationship. (MLF)

Sportscasters, in conjunction with educators and others, could form a unique partnership aimed at encouraging young people to stay in school and prepare for the future. (MLH)

Suggests that the principal's role in promoting student learning is to stimulate teachers and parents to help identify serious educational problems the school is encountering while attempting to educate all students. In today's world, all children, not just a small fraction, need to learn what schools are expected to teach. (MLH)

Schools are realizing that the future success of their students will be reflected in their ability to effectively function in a "team" environment. (MLF)

The current educational reform movement differs from past efforts primarily because of the greatly expanded role of teachers and their organizations in school management and improvement. This broader context of teaching is reflected in such innovations as participatory decision-making and school improvement teams with teachers as equal partners.…

Instruction in computer-based business communication is vital to prepare students for the current environment. Course design should include hands-on training using electronic messaging, a simulated environment in which to practice networking, and encouragement of teams and collaboration among students. (SK)