This document presents an overview of the objectives, organization, and modes of university participation in the Fort Worth, Texas, Teacher Center. The Center was initiated with four objectives in mind: (1) to improve both participating schools and the education of teachers through field-oriented experiences; (2) to develop a viable educational…

Based upon testimony before the National Governor's Association Task Force on Technology, this article identifies important considerations that state education agencies should take into account in developing educational technology plans and strategies. Policy recommendations are given, including the creation of interstate consortia for software…

The authors of a new book on strengthening transfer opportunities and experiences for postsecondary students describe the basis for the book, a consortium of 24 community colleges that worked to refine transfer efforts on their own campuses. (MSE)

The English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) curriculum of the Arlington (Virginia) Adult Learning System (AALS) is presented. AALS is a consortium in which an adult education provider (the public school system) coordinates efforts of its own organization with a community-based organization, a vocational institute, and a university to transition…

This paper recounts the process of integrating industry into the assessment process in engineering education developed by the Synthesis Coalition, a group of colleges and schools working together to improve engineering education through development and implementation of curriculum reforms. Originating in the Coalition's efforts to introduce…

In enacting the 1998 Amendments to the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, the Congress changed Section 435(a)(5) of the act to lift the exemption for cohort default rates that were established for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Navajo Colleges in 1990. The new provisions became…

Using data on the cost of interlibrary loan, journal prices, and journal use, this article presents an economic analysis of the SUNY (State University of New York) Express consortium and the potential savings from consortium delivery of scholarly articles and joint collections development. Concludes that while considerable savings are possible…

Describes the design process for creating a Web site that provides access to services of OhioLINK (The Ohio Library and Information Network), a consortium of libraries from higher education institutions that developed an online union catalog. Goals for future development are also discussed, including electronic journals and user authentication.…

A variety of consortial arrangements in higher education are discussed noting advantages such as savings realized through the cooperative efforts, enrichment of academic programs, improved student services and community outreach, as well as obstacles (organizational, procedural, and cultural). Success factors identified include presence of…

Internet 2, a project intended to provide member universities with new computer network services and faster connections, is criticized for growing too large and too difficult to administer cooperatively. Its organizers are working closely with the Clinton Administration's Next Generation Internet Initiative, but some lawmakers feel the program is…

A principal of three Ontario "twinned" schools (sharing principal and services) discusses the arrangement's advantages: greater sharing of both human and technical resources and increased opportunities for broader budget negotiations between schools. The disadvantages of twinning relate to the additional stress placed on the principal…

Discussed is a conference aimed at organizing the efforts to reform science education in the United States. Participants from business, industry, labor, scientific and engineering societies, and education associations were included. (CW)

Presents an economic model to analyze the cost efficiency of access to journal articles via three alternatives: journal subscriptions, consortium membership, and commercial document delivery. Results show cost efficiency is based on the value of future journal use, costs of delivery and subscriptions, and the value of time to patrons. (Author/LRW)

Argues that historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are still needed to seek solutions to problems of the African-American community. The severity of social problems means that subgroups or consortia of HBCUs should be formed to study and solve particular problems, such as the African-American teacher shortage. (SLD)

Describes a study documenting the planning and implementation processes of 17 Tech Prep consortia in a Midwest state. Discusses the processes used by local consortia in initiating Tech Prep, the roles and responsibilities of Tech Prep leaders, and their perceptions about specific strategies that contributed to the establishment of successful…