Brief therapy: Ronny G

Because of evolving professional roles, limited resources, and administrative concerns, school psychologists have been exploring alternative methods of intervention. Brief therapy is an active, focused, incisive intervention especially useful with children typically seen by the school psychologist because of emotional adjustment problems. This paper illustrates the process of brief therapy with a parent and presents some implications for the school psychologist.     

Educational assessment in Canada

This article describes the Canadian education system and provincial/territorial, national, and international large‐scale assessment (LSA) programmes that currently operate within this large multicultural country. We highlight the policy implications of LSA programmes within Canada’s 10 provinces and three northern territories, and how the country balances international pressures with the demand for independence in the educational practices of its distinct provinces and territories. The discussion outlines how the systematic use of performance information is institutionalised through two kinds of accountability, ethical‐professional and economic‐bureaucratic accountability.     

The road to nowhere begins with where we are: Rethinking the future of American education

The purpose of this essay is two-fold: to explain briefly the central features and functions of the present system and to suggest why it has become so resistant to meaningful systemic reform; and to articulate several general principles of transformation that must undergird a new vision of education in the 21st century. Our programmatic hope is that others will engage in the kind of serious, ongoing dialogue necessary to open our minds and hearts to both the possibilities and difficulties accompanying any serious effort at systemic reform in American education.     

The organic puppet theatre

For most youngsters, the insides of their bodies are squishy, bloody, mysterious, and hard to understand. Definitely not looked upon as something to love, or even sneak a peek at! Sad commentary on awareness of our own health and well-being.Illustrated by Duane G. Barnhart This article is excerpted from The Organic Puppet Theatreavailable from Night Owl Press, 1537 West Iowa Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108 © 1983.