This article reviews and analyzes the findings of a national study on school improvement. It defines four relationships important to effective implementation and the implications for school change. (MD)

Surveys completed by 235 teachers of hearing impaired pupils resulted in rank ordering of 92 teaching competencies. Comparison with a 1956 study revealed significant changes in competencies considered to be important, suggesting the need for changes in teacher education coursework and certification requirements. (CL)

Analysis of 53 randomly chosen individualized education programs of secondary special education students revealed that less than half contained at least one vocationally oriented annual goal while more than half specified segregated placement. Limited participation in the staffing team by vocational educators was indicated. (CL)

Analysis of surveys administered to 151 special and regular educators, ancillary school personnel, administrators, and mental health personnel revealed behavioral clusters most likely to impede transitions from a mental health to educational setting. Survey responses further identified factors in ancillary support and classroom-related services…

Teachers can identify children with word finding problems through a classroom survey (appended) which provides profiles of expressive and receptive language patterns. Intervention includes compensatory programing and remediation (such as rehearsal of vocabulary). (CL)

The effects of classroom lighting methods on activity level, achievement, visual acuity/fatigue, and health of nonhandicapped and handicapped students are reviewed. Effects of different levels of illumination on behavior also are discussed. Methodological deficiencies and lack of replication have resulted in few tenable conclusions. (Author/CL)

The impact of classroom stimuli, such as novelty, color, noise, and proximity to teacher or peers on both normal and exceptional children is reviewed. The relation between these sources of classroom stimulation and information sources (i.e., type of task and access to material, person, and role resources) is also discussed. (Author/CL)

Discusses a teaching technique that requires students to retell stories in reading classes for hearing impaired high school students as a way to provide maximum student involvement in classes, while developing reading, organization, vocabulary, and comprehension skills. (EKN)

Describes the growth of Seeing Essential English (SEE) and suggests that the use of SEE in several school districts is responsible for students' high scores on two tests of English understanding. Advises further research to gauge the contribution of SEE. (EKN)

Roles, perspectives, and skills of superintendents and their fit to the Organizational Elements Model (OEM) are examined by defining the elements in the model and providing examples of applications, analyzing superintendents' roles in the planning process, and discussing a method of determining the roles of superintendents in different situations.…

Reviews the proposed Constitutional amendment regulating voluntary prayer in public schools, and charges that it would undermine precedents ensuring the separation of church and state. Discusses the nature of prayer and the role of the public schools. (JAC)

Describes the effectiveness of group counseling for ridiculed children based on Adlerian principles. Outlines three phases of group process: the relationship process, reorientation phase, and accomplishment phase, and provides a case illustration. (JAC)

Describes various teaching models that have proven effective in teaching argumentation. (HOD)

Describes a study that analyzed 273 responses to test words in context to determine which word identification strategies were being used by students who made gains in remedial reading classes. (FL)

Computer networks meet the needs for instructional programs, management information systems, and library media services in many schools and universities. In most cases, existing telephone lines can be used; however, dedicated lines should be considered if use is likely to be extensive. Planning for network growth is essential. (MLF)