Reports on a study to identify which music education research sources are most eminent. Examines 4,596 citations in the 55 chapters in the "Handbook of Research on Music Teaching and Learning" to determine whether scholarly research reports, journals, authored monographs, or dissertations were cited mostly frequently. (CFR)

Two key principles in recognizing, empowering, and tapping the potential of "behind-the-scenes" college and university employees are discussed: finding leaders among them and linking the role of backstage employees to the core mission of the institution. A third and essential ingredient is administrative consistency in applying these principles.…

Reports on a study of the contributors to the "American Economic Review" during the journal's first 80 years of publication. Finds that, of nearly 3,000 authors during this period, only 28% have appeared in the publication more than once. Provides tables of most frequent contributing authors and most frequent contributing universities.…

Describes how the World Wide Web can be used to recognize student talent and acknowledge achievement. Discusses the Hillside Elementary School (Minnesota) project where students used the Internet for research and publication. Identifies educational community groups that can be recognized using the Web, and notes school marketing benefits. (AEF)

Describes the cash award system Indiana developed to reward schools for relative improvement in language arts proficiency, mathematics proficiency, overall achievement performance, and attendance. The article looks at problems with the program, how the program was implemented, how money was used, and positive and negative rhetoric. (SM)

Previous attempts to rank doctoral programs in counseling psychology suffered from methodological flaws, such as the "Matthew effect." To offset such defects, this study examines citations in two data bases for 488 counseling psychology faculty. The authors list leading programs on the basis of 11 adjusted and unadjusted measures of scientific…

Suggestions are made for developing and nurturing a spirit of partnership in campus-activities programming staffs, including partnerships among students, with the advisor, with faculty, with other campus departments and services, and with National Association for Campus Activities associate members. Specific techniques are outlined for each group.…

During summer 1998, the British government's Department for Education and Employment recognized 74 schools as model "beacons of excellence." A recent survey reveals that effective communication, coupled with a clear sense of purpose and vision, has enabled Beacon schools to maintain educational excellence while facilitating other…

Provides a list by state of ten to twelve accomplished music teachers and two up-and-coming teachers who were recognized by their state music education associations as worthy of special recognition for their teaching skills and efforts to advance music. Includes quotes from selected up-and-coming teachers. (CMK)

Reading problems are among the most prevalent concerns for general and special educators who teach culturally and linguistically diverse students with learning disabilities. In this study, 60 students with serious reading problems were taught word recognition and comprehension skills using the Failure Free Reading Program. This intervention is…

The part played by tacit skills and knowledge in work performance is well recognised but not well understood. These implicit or hidden dimensions of knowledge and skill are key elements of "mastery," which experienced workers draw upon in everyday activities and continuously expand in tackling new or unexpected situations. This paper,…

In this article, the author reflects on 17 years of being an administrator in a community college setting. Being a good administrator requires being both a good manager and a good leader. It is the management side that turns many people away from the position, but, linking motivational theory to the situation and meeting the basic needs of those…

While policymakers have tried to improve teacher workforce effectiveness by raising certification requirements, research shows that credentials correlate little with teaching excellence, as measured by student performance. School districts do little additional screening and commonly award tenure after two or three years regardless of performance.…

Since the Blue Ribbon Schools Program was established by the Secretary of Education in 1982, it has developed into a national school-improvement strategy. This brochure outlines the three purposes of the Blue Ribbon Schools Program: (1) identify and recognize outstanding public and private schools across the nation; (2) make research-based…

This paper describes the development and implementation of a teacher reward system based on merit that was used at the University of Nebraska. Explained are the organizational set-up of the program into operational groups and their responsibilities and the steps taken to establish interest and commitment in the project. Also discussed is the…