A study compared the support provided by the University of Washington's Freshman Interest Group (FIG) program, which emphasizes interaction with faculty and peers, as compared with support provided in a traditional academic structure. Results confirm that FIGs provide more support, especially through classmates, but produce no overall difference…

The Nova University Master's Program for Child Care Administrators, a guided study program serving 150 administrators in North America, is described. The potential for its use of electronic mail to form a widespread communications network for students and faculty is discussed. (MSE)

A Northern Illinois University elementary teacher education program in which certain courses are taught with the use of self-paced courseware packets is described, and the technique's usefulness in promoting and integrating computer literacy in the curriculum is discussed. (MSE)

This article describes a University of Hartford (Connecticut) program in which largely minority-group Hartford city high school graduates are enrolled at reduced tuition. Unique situations for learning are highlighted, including those encountered in residence halls, on campus, in class, in faculty and administrative offices, and in program…

To prepare new international graduate students for assignments as teaching assistants, the University of Washington chemistry department worked with specialists in language, pedagogy, and chemistry to design a discipline-specific training program. The program's structure, participants, benefits and limitations, and effectiveness in its first year…

The professional development plan for the Wichita State University (Kansas) College of Education and the process used to develop it are described. The committee that developed the plan first had to reach consensus on the purpose and nature of professional development. Reflections are offered on why the program has succeeded so well and on the next…

This article describes strategies for redesigning the University of Missouri's Statewide Cooperative Ed.D. Cohort Program in educational leadership. Results had suggested a need to redesign aspects of the program in order to achieve higher levels of cognitive learning outcomes inclusive of transformational learning. To help meet this objective,…

In the University of California (Davis) Program in College Teaching, graduate teaching assistants develop and fulfill contractual agreements for faculty-guided investigations into their disciplines, with supporting individualized activities about practices and issues of college teaching. Aspects of the program's development and effectiveness are…

To help international teaching assistants balance their roles as teacher and graduate student, the University of Cincinnati developed a program in classroom communication skills for this population. It begins with naming and social identity but focuses primarily on communication for participative learning. Interacting with academic advisors is…

A study investigated academic policy development at 80 research universities concerning the academic labor market, academic reward structure, faculty seniority and retirement, and institutional research and planning. Results confirmed the need for more flexible academic personnel policies in support of senior faculty development and renewal and…