"Opportunities are like sunrises. If you wait too long, you miss them. (William Arthur Ward)" The purpose of this article is to facilitate comprehension of key conceptual framework components of serendipitous educational planning using a practical example that was successfully implemented in 2015, replicated in 2016, and scheduled for…

Most authorities on educational planning and change recognize that each situation is somewhat unique and that in complex organizations, like universities, a blend of approaches is necessary. Following the premise of the need for universities to approach planning from multiple perspectives, the purpose of this paper is to briefly explore the unique…

This article is focused on identifying the current issues in elementary education in the United States. In each of these issues, elementary educators are at the crossroads looking for solutions and directions. Based on the review of literature, the authors pinpoint the upcoming challenges elementary school educators will be facing in the future.…

Sound educational planning is essential in an era faced with declining resources, increasing accountability demands, and reluctance to fund higher taxation requests. Planners are seriously challenged by shift from an industrial to a paperless, technological society. This article compares long-range and strategic planning approaches, describes…

Arguing that "needs assessment" is too vaguely defined, this paper considers the term's location within the planning field, compares two variants of the discrepancy model (classical versus social welfare approaches), and reflects on the assumptions and implications imbedded in needs assessment technocracy. Includes 16 notes and 26 references. (MLH)

Uses an expanded definition of assessment, drawing attention to those elements of a planning system that are closely interactive with assessment and which could either immediately precede or follow the data collection function. (Author/JF)

Describes the planning cycle being used in the Lincoln, Nebraska, schools and explains the role of staff development in the total program improvement model. (Author/IRT)

Needs assessment, a prioritizing procedure providing for equitable resource allocation, should be preceded by a three-phase preliminary investigation including preassessment activities; the formal assessment (data gathering, analysis, and priority-setting); and postassessment activities (assessment evaluation and utilization of results). This…

The South Carolina model for needs assessment examines national, state, perceptual, and system indicators and contains a section for updating. (IRT)

Continuing an earlier historical review of educational needs assessment (ENA) in the United States, this article considers certain criticisms of ENA in light of basic assumptions about the process; the relationship between ENA theories and practices; and their impact on schools and students. ENA's role in educational planning and renewal is also…