To stem the tide of students dropping out, many schools and districts are turning to early warning systems (EWS) that signal whether a student is at risk of not graduating from high school. While some research exists about establishing these systems, there is little information about the actual implementation strategies that are being used across…

An investigation was conducted of the implementation of a new orientation procedure for adult basic education students in 17 classes spread throughout three rural counties and one city in the Dublin, Virginia, area. The new orientation procedure was contained in a guide that called for teachers to implement it in five consecutive class periods.…

Hiring new teachers and continuing their professional growth so that they remain in the profession and become effective teachers have been a challenge for decades. Research suggests that induction programs can achieve these outcomes if they are highly structured, include mentoring, focus on professional learning, and emphasize collaboration that…

The Long Beach Fire Department (California), developed a program to foster and improve the development of future fire department managers who are promoted from within the department. A 10-day orientation program was developed. The competency-based program featured a mix of management-leadership training (the nature of leadership, personnel…

Using retired teachers as mentors for beginning teachers in New York City has made real differences in the lives of the new teachers, their mentors, the students, and the supervisors in approximately 100 schools. In these schools more than 100 mentors have worked with 500 teachers over a three-year period. The New York City Mentor/New Teacher…

This guide provides ideas and suggestions that might assist in the design and implementation of orientation programs for new foreign students at U.S. universities. An introduction discusses the various constraints which hinder the effectiveness of foreign student orientation programs and ways for overcoming those constraints. The second part…

Discusses the planning and preparation necessary to make field trips economically justifiable and educationally worthwhile. Student orientations and positive motivation are essential for successful fieldtrips. A description of a well-planned field trip to Rockport, Massachusetts, for a high school portfolio art class is included. (AM)

A study determined the degree of success that institutions achieve in meeting their articulation program goals. Data were collected through literature review, questionnaires to 462 secondary and postsecondary institutions, and visits to five exemplary articulation sites. Study respondents reported that they were most successful in reaching the…

Planning can help college public relations officials make the most of their time and energy. One approach includes reviewing institutional mission and strategic plan; setting department goals; identifying and targeting audiences; establishing interdepartmental links; and setting out action, crisis, budget, and evaluation plans in writing. (MSE)

The Digest of Helping Programs presented in this volume describes exemplary support programs for beginning teachers in the United States. Twenty-four programs are included, of which four are described in considerable detail. Comprehensive descriptions are given of the following programs: (1) The Stanford University Intern Program; (2) The Resident…

The purpose of this book is to help practitioners and policy makers understand how important it is to assist beginning teachers, and what it involves in terms of policy, procedures, pitfalls, personnel, price in time and money, and prospects. The book is divided into the following chapters: (1) "Beginning Teacher Assistance Programs: An…

Argues that theater students must be encouraged to keep competition in perspective. Points out that too often program growth and support are dependent upon the number of honors that participants receive. Emphasizes that competition should be engaged in for its positive learning potential or should be abandoned as a student activity. (KO)

Results of a survey of planners at 133 colleges and universities in the United States and Canada are summarized. The study gathered information on (1) which problems tend to get solved, and which do not; (2) factors contributing to success in planning; and (3) planners' suggestions for improving the planning process. (MSE)

A telephone registration system for first year students implemented at Alma College (Michigan), involves having freshmen confer with advisors during orientation week, then having the registrar's office contact the advisors. Despite limitations, the low-tech solution works well at extremely low cost. (MSE)

This study presents an analysis of a previous evaluation conducted by the Malawi (East Africa) government of the usefulness of long-term, off-shore (mostly in the United States) graduate education and results of a recent survey comparing career attitudes of participants and non-participants in a pre-departure orientation program. Following a…