This issue brief looks at evaluations of 34 academically focused summer programs in order to distill challenges and compile promising strategies for creating quality summer programs. While many summer programs face similar implementation challenges, each program has different components and needs, and not every strategy is feasible or even…

The superintendent search consultant plays a major role in ensuring a close fit between leading candidates for a superintendency and the underlying views of governing board members on various matters, including religion and church/state issues. Search consultants try to keep school boards upfront about their desired values when seeking a new…

In this article, the authors highlight an issue in science education facing many university and college science departments: hiring faculty who can bring to the department specialized expertise in science education. To begin to address this issue, a collaborative team of tenure-track faculty--all of whom are primarily trained in science and have…

A group interview process for filling job vacancies that is used by the Office for Student Life at Pacific Lutheran University is explained. The process has been effective for filling positions that require substantial interpersonal interaction. Objectives of the group interview process include: to ensure that all applicants receive the same…

The activities undertaken by the advising system at Oklahoma State University's College of Arts and Sciences are described. In addition, characteristics of colleges that value the academic advising function and the importance of meeting student needs are sketched. One component of Oklahoma State University's advising system has involved…

Describes the efforts of Mountain Bell to determine the qualifications for course developers and the four part selection process currently used in hiring personnel. The most important qualities of potential course developers are identified and discussed, including writing, oral, analytical, and management/interpersonal skills. (MBR)

This brief describes efforts to get an accurate picture of the current labor market for principals. Three projects were commissioned: an analysis of existing data on the national supply and career paths of school administrators; surveys of 83 school districts, supplemented by Common Core of Data information, to examine dimensions and implications…

Considers issues and relationships involved in the development of a system under which each of Florida's community colleges could define criteria for the selection, evaluation, and retention of personnel. Underscores the value of missions statements for particular positions and the identification of functions and needed skills. Outlines steps in…

School attorney suggests strategies related to personnel selection and dismissal that superintendents can employ to reduce the risk of special-education litigation. (PKP)

Provides an overview of campus search committee roles, responsibilities, and selection processes. Discusses the benefits of utilizing a professional search firm and outlines the qualities of an efficient and successful search process, such as establishing realistic expectations, a clear timeline, a disciplined recruiting strategy, and an organized…

Examines the challenges of using the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) Indexes to perform citation searches for personnel decisions and offers specific guidelines for searchers to follow during the presearch interview. Potential obstacles, search techniques, and systems commands are also described. (five references) (KRN)

Describes how the Portland (Ohio) school district selected an architect for its construction projects, and the evaluation form that was developed that helped qualify each candidate. Portland's evaluation form breaks down architectural-firm criteria into three categories: references, the firm's qualifications, and capacity to perform the work. (GR)

Discusses the hiring and firing process in community colleges, including job posting, advertising positions, screening applicants, interviewing, testing, checking references, and making an offer. Explains the most effective ways to discipline and terminate employees, in keeping with employment laws. (Contains 23 references.) (CJW)

Describes several cases involving the sexual abuse of students by teachers and other staff members; suggests ways school districts can protect their students from abusive staff members, especially pedophiles. (PKP)

Offers several recommendations to board of education on involving the incumbent superintendent in the search for a new superintendent. (PKP)