Chapter Helps Haitian Teachers Take Classes

Imagine teaching in a school that has little or no equipment and that has electricity for only a few hours a day. Then, after teaching for a full day, imagine driving for hours over bad roads to take night classes so that you can teach more effectively, even though you do not have enough money to buy textbooks or pay tuition. Dedicated teachers in Haiti are doing just that, with some help from the Southern New Hampshire Chapter.

The chapter is working with the Sisters of the Holy Cross and Notre Dame College in New Hampshire to support teachers in a small teacher education program in Haiti. Sr. Louise Auclair, who runs the project, explained that the order has established a school of education on the campus of Regina Assumpta College, a high school in Haiti. The tuition for the education course is US$35 for a three-credit class, which is a great deal of money in that country. Teachers in Haiti are paid from $116 to $160 a month.

Auclair reported that the school recently completed its fourth year and that the first students will graduate in June 2000. Currently, she said, there are 146 students in the school, most of whom work as teachers during the day. The school offers more than just education courses, and the students will graduate with bachelor's degrees from Notre Dame College.

"We are trying to offer them a quality course, demanding that they do college-level work with limited resources," Auclair said. However, the obstacles have been immense. Auclair explained that the school had to buy a large generator so there would be electricity for night classes, since Haiti generates electricity for a only few hours a day. Some of the money provided by the chapter has been used to buy basic equipment for the science lab, such as chemicals for the chemistry course and materials for the physics course.

Chapter president Susan Astone explained that the chapter became involved in the project after Auclair was featured at a chapter meeting. "We were so overwhelmed by the poverty, and chapter members immediately asked what they could do."

In one night the chapter raised $600 for the project, Astone reported. Since then, the chapter has engaged in other fundraising projects. For example, last year chapter members made a quilt and raffled it at a chapter meeting, raising more than $600.

In addition to buying science equipment, chapter funds are used to provide scholarships for the students. "To receive a scholarship, students must be committed to the program," Astone said. They have to be in their second year of the program, have a G.P.A. of 2.0 or better, and take at least nine credit hours a semester.

"This is an evolving project for the chapter," Astone said, adding that it has brought a variety of benefits for the chapter as well as to the students they help. "A couple of years ago, the chapter was floundering. People weren't attending meetings. This project is one of the things that has gotten us back on track."

Auclair reported that the effort is showing results in Haiti, even though the school of education is only a few years old. "It's really just the planting of a very tiny, tiny seed at this point," she said. "But we do know that there are some good things happening in the schools."

"Things are getting worse in Haiti," Auclair said. "But whatever good can be done, we will have been there."

Kappans who are interested in helping this effort should contact Sr. Louise Auclair, Notre Dame College, 2321 Elm St., Manchester, NH 03104; (603) 669-4298, ext. 151; email: Louauclair@aol.com. Auclair explained that the school depends on grants and donations, but they also are looking for volunteers who speak French and can teach college-level courses in secondary education, the humanities, and general science.

FROM YOUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Membership Makes a Difference

This is my first column in NN&Q as PDK's executive director. I want to begin with the same point as have my predecessors, that is, membership in our organization.

When your Board of Directors and the staff at the International Office stress the importance of membership, we sometimes are accused of wanting new members just for the revenue. That is not true! Members, both current members and new members, are this organization's future. They are Phi Delta Kappa International's future, and they are the future of each PDK chapter. Unless chapters initiate new members, their future will be compromised.

There are thousands of educators who are eligible to join but have not been asked. Ask them. And when you do, articulate your reasons for being a member.

The profession will need 2.2 million new educators within the next six years. That is a compelling statistic. It is significant for this organization and for every other professional education organization. We must recognize and accept our responsibility to replace ourselves with new teachers, new professors, new superintendents, and new principals. The vitality of our profession rests in our commitment to the future.

Please take an active role in promoting the profession and Phi Delta Kappa to every new educator you meet. Take a dynamic role in challenging prospective teachers, both at the high school and college levels, to join our ranks as educators and as Kappans.

Maintain your membership, be active in your chapter, and join me in reaching out to our colleagues. As PDK International President Rick Kolowski has emphasized, "Leadership Makes the Difference." As Kappans, exercise your leadership. Our future depends on it.

In Chapter Project, Families Learn to Play

One of the most important learning activities for children is play. A project conducted by the West Virginia University Chapter helped families with disabled children learn to play together, and the chapter provided a variety of toys for them to use.

John Foshay, the project director, explained that the chapter worked with two early intervention agencies, the Valley HealthCare Birth to Three Early Intervention Program and the Harrison County Pre-School Special Needs Program. The chapter bought about 100 toys for the project. The toys were chosen because they can be used to develop particular skills in children, in addition to being fun to play with.

"We developed a library system for the toys," Foshay reported. "We would take the toy to the family and the family could keep the toy for a set period of time. At the end of the year, we gave all the toys to the families."

In addition to receiving the toys, participating families also received training in how to use the toys to develop play skills in their infants and toddlers, Foshay explained. "The parents really enjoyed it, and the therapists really enjoyed having these toys available," Foshay said. "There are many families in rural West Virginia who don't have a lot of brand-new toys."

This project not only increased communication between educators and parents, it also increased the dialogue between parents and their children, Foshay reported. "The toys served as the vehicle to allow educators, parents, and children to interact and share educationally relevant information."

Foshay also reported that the chapter benefited from the project in two ways. The first was the reward of having contributed to the development of young children. The second, Foshay said, was that "the project served as a function that united members toward a common, meaningful goal."

Richard Kolowski Assumes Presidency at 2nd PDK Legislative Council

About 200 educators attended Phi Delta Kappa International's 2nd Legislative Council. The council met in Bloomington, Indiana, on October 21-24.

PDK President James Fogarty presided over the council. During the final session, he passed the gavel to Richard Kolowski, who is the principal of Millard West High School in Omaha, Nebraska.

In his final address to the council, Fogarty described how PDK is making a difference in education. The organization has given more than a half-million dollars in scholarships just this year, he said. PDK also recently completed its study of urban and suburban schools in Ohio. And it has been collaborating with other organizations to improve education.

Fogarty also reported how Kappans have successfully met the challenge he posed two years ago. "I promised to get as many Kappans as I could involved in the life of a child. Since then, I have received hundreds and hundreds of letters," he said. "We are making a difference."

In his first presidential address, Richard Kolowski presented his theme for the biennium, "Leadership Makes the Difference." He reminded those at the council that important concerns are facing the organization and that we must change to meet them. "We are still a work in progress," Kolowski said.

Kolowski also offered five challenges to the area coordinators at the council: 1) for each coordinator to bring in 10 new members during each year of the next biennium; 2) to establish one new Future Educators of America club in each chapter area; 3) for every chapter to hold an initiation; 4) for every Kappan to join the leadership team; and 5) to call on members of the Board of Directors to help chapters succeed.

These challenges will require hard work, Kolowski emphasized. "For all of us, it is time to roll up our sleeves. It is time to make that difference."

One important task of the Legislative Council is to vote for president-elect. The three candidates for that position were elected by the chapters last spring. The Legislative Council chooses one candidate as president-elect, and the other two candidates serve as vice presidents on the PDK Board of Directors.

Eve Proffitt was chosen as president-elect of Phi Delta Kappa International. Proffitt currently works with the Kentucky School Boards Association, providing consultation, training, and lobbying, and is a former vice president of PDK. PDK's two new vice presidents are Rayalene Brizendine, former District V Representative, and Brad Reitz, re-elected as vice president. Jeannine Fox, former Area 5I Coordinator, was appointed to replace Brizendine as District V Representative and began her term at the council.

The Legislative Council passed a budget authorization of $9,031,409 for the 2000-2002 biennium. The council also fixed the dues for the 2000-2002 biennium at $45 and fixed the fee for reinstatement of a withdrawn member at $10.

The Legislative Council also passed legislation and conducted other business of PDK. The following amendments to PDK's Constitution must now be ratified by the chapters:

• Amended the Constitution to change PDK's designation as a "fraternity" to an "association."
• Amended the Constitution to require that chapters not set membership requirements that exceed those in the Constitution and Bylaws.
• Amended the Constitution to provide a category of direct membership and to eliminate the categories of international-at-large and associate membership.

The following amendments to PDK's Bylaws will take effect on 1 July 2000:

• Amended the Bylaws to allow those in five-year teacher education programs and post-baccalaureate certification programs to qualify for student memberships.
• Amended the Bylaws to authorize the International Office to directly offer renewal to undergraduate student members on behalf of the chapter.
• Amended the Bylaws to require the nominating committee to recommend at least one nominee for the office of district representative.
• Amended the Bylaws to change the name of the Officer Leadership Conference to the Area Leadership Conference.
• Amended the Bylaws to establish June 30 as the deadline for both annual reports and the submission of officer reports.

In other legislation, the 2nd Legislative Council:

• Moved that PDK International develop public service announcements to be made available for use by national and local media.
• Moved that PDK International encourage chapters to add the chapter office of public relations officer.
• Moved that the district grant proposal process be changed to allow several chapters to collaborate on one project.
• Moved that PDK conduct the Chapter Newsletter Contest as an annual event.
• Suggested that the Board of Directors develop a partner-chapter program to sponsor new members in emerging democracies.
• Suggested a study of the needs of the Canadian chapters with the possibility of a Canadian materials center.
• Resolved that the 25th anniversary of women in PDK be a resolution for the Year 2000-2001 Project Committee.
• Referred to the Board of Directors that PDK provide more competitive travel opportunities with a return to the practice of including school visits.

Other highlights of the 2nd Legislative Council included the Paul M. Cook Lecture and the PDK Educational Foundation Banquet. The Paul M. Cook lecturer was Marilee Chinnici-Zuercher, president and CEO of Firstlink, a nonprofit agency providing information, referrals, community education, and volunteerism. Zuercher reminded the participants that each generation has a different reason and different expectations for joining voluntary organizations. Organizations must take those differences into account if they are to succeed. However, Zuercher cautioned, we must remember that the number-one reason anyone gets involved in a volunteer activity, regardless of their age, income, or where they live, is because a friend or family member asked them to be involved.

The Educational Foundation Banquet featured awards to chapters and individuals for their contributions to the foundation. In addition, four Kappans were honored with the Foundation Distinguished Service Award. Those Kappans are Donald Anderson, former dean of the College of Education at Ohio State and member of the Foundation Board of Governors who died this year; PDK Senior Fellow Jack Fymier; Philip Meissner, a retired educator from Florida; and Arliss Roaden, a long-time member of the Foundation Board of Governors. Those Kappans will have special engraved photographs and their names placed on a special plaque, located at the Rose International Conference Center in Bloomington. The Distinguished Service Award recognizes those who have given outstanding service to the foundation for many years.

The Educational Foundation Banquet also included the Ronald Joekel Leadership Lecture, named in honor of the former PDK International president and executive director. This year's lecture was given by Richard Boyd, a former superintendent of the Cleveland Public Schools. Boyd, who also chaired the research committee for the PDK study of urban and suburban schools in Ohio, titled his presentation, "Let's Recapture the Agenda." Boyd argued that control of the education agenda slipped from educators in the 1980s and was taken by business leaders, politicians, and free-marketeers. Boyd explained that currently there are six items on the education agenda and that three of those items -- standards, assessment, and accountability -- should be major items on the agenda of all educators. "These items are not going away, so we must embrace and shape them," Boyd explained.

Gabbard Leadership Initiative to Open New Century

The Phi Delta Kappa Bessie Gabbard Initiative on Leadership in Education for the 21st Century, known as the 2000-2001 Celebration, includes plans for numerous activities that exemplify its themes, which parallel the PDK tenets of leadership, service, and research. Bessie Gabbard, PDK's "First Lady" and chair of the PDK Educational Foundation Board of Governors, made a substantial contribution to underwrite many of the activities.

Particular attention is being paid to advocacy efforts, including identifying and convening a national panel of leaders who are willing to advocate for the public schools. Their efforts will be extended by the Center for Professional Development and Services (CPD&S), which will develop training materials on public school advocacy and a readily accessible database of information to assist the advocacy effort. CPD&S also is organizing a series of professional development institutes on leadership.

Special Publications will publish three books on leadership to mark the new century and millennium. Dan Wishnietsky has developed a global perspective on education for the 21st century. Mark Goldberg has collected his interviews of education leaders for a book tentatively titled Speaking of Leadership. And Donovan Walling, editor of Special Publications, has mined the PDK archives to compile a volume of readings on leadership. This last book has been designated to honor retired PDK Executive Director Ron Joekel.

The Phi Delta Kappan editors created a survey, which appeared in the fall issue of News, Notes, & Quotes, to solicit members' responses to a "What Do You Think?" questionnaire about education in the 20th century, both looking back and looking ahead to the 21st century. Summary responses will appear in future issues of the Kappan. Special reports and articles dealing with aspects of leadership also are planned for the pages of the journal.

The Center on Evaluation, Development, and Research (CEDR) plans to collect and disseminate information on the behaviors that constitute effective leadership. CEDR also will take a hand in developing the database of information on leadership and advocacy.

Finally, development officer Scott Hutchinson has planned a PDK Educational Foundation fundraising campaign to complement the activities associated with the leadership initiative.

Readers can anticipate the unfolding of this multifaceted leadership initiative in the coming months.

Newsletter Contest Winners Honored at Council

Twenty chapters received Awards of Excellence in PDK's 1998-99 Chapter Newsletter Contest. The awards were announced at the 2nd Legislative Council in Bloomington in October.

The 20 award-winning newsletters were selected on the basis of their appearance, readability, layout, and design. The winning chapters received a $150 grant to enhance program activity during the 1999-2000 year, and the newsletter editors received certificates. In addition, a special camera-ready logo identifying the newsletter as a winner was given to the editors to reproduce on their newsletters.

The chapters receiving the Award of Excellence are: Broward County Florida, Buffalo-South, Cape Fear North Carolina, Clearwater-St. Petersburg Florida, First Capital Pennsylvania, Fort Hays State University, Kennesaw Mountain Georgia, Kerr Regional North Carolina, LaGrange Area Georgia, Montclair State University, North Coast Ohio, Northern Illinois University, Northern Virginia, Northwest Suburban/Cook County, San Diego California, Southwest Florida, University of Akron, University of Oklahoma, University of Pittsburgh-Three Rivers, and University of Wisconsin/Madison.

In addition to the above awards, 11 chapters received Awards of Merit. These awards are given to recognize individual features in a series of newsletters, such as layout and design, research features, editorial content, photography, special content features, thematic development, and overall excellence.

Another 11 chapters received Special Citations to recognize single features in a newsletter.

A booklet with samples of the top 20 chapter newsletters is available from the PDK International Office. Newsletter editors are encouraged to use that booklet to obtain ideas that they can adapt for their own newsletters.

A special committee appointed by PDK International President James Fogarty met at the International Office in August to select the winning newsletters from the 80 entries. The members of that committee and their chapters are: Julia Hartzog, University of Pittsburgh-Three Rivers; Krin Perry, University of Texas; and Ann Quinlan, University of Nebraska/Lincoln.

BOOKNOTES

S.A.F.E. SCHOOLS INTERACTIVE HANDBOOK AVAILABLE · Michael D. Rowland, a Kentucky school administrator, has created a write-in handbook. Titled S.A.F.E. Handbook, the initials stand for School Administrator Facility Examination. The handbook encourages school administrators to examine their facilities for potential safety and security hazards. This book lists for $8; the member discount price is $6. Purchasers may obtain a greater discount by buying 10 copies for $56.

PLANNING FOR DISASTER REISSUED · Harmon Baldwin's book, originally published in 1990, has been updated. Planning for Disaster, Second Edition, was released in November. This book lists for $8; the member discount price is $6. Purchasers also may obtain a greater discount on this book by buying 10 copies for $56. The two books, S.A.F.E. Handbook and Planning for Disaster, are complementary volumes, designed to help busy school leaders deal with serious issues.

INCLUSION PERSPECTIVES OFFERED · Inclusion: Policy and Practice includes 12 essays developed by participants in several PDK Leadership Skills Institutes. The anthology's 20 writers deal with a variety of issues surrounding the inclusion of students with disabilities in regular school classes. The volume is edited by Thomas P. Lombardi. This book lists for $13; the member discount price is $9.75.

AMERICAN OVERSEAS SCHOOLS PROFILED · A new book available in January 2000 will profile the various types of American schools in foreign lands. Included are Department of Defense and Department of State schools, company-sponsored schools, religious schools, and international private schools. This wide-ranging book was developed by a consortium of writers who have experienced overseas school life. American Overseas Schools will list for $22; the member discount price will be $16.50.

SPRING FASTBACKS AVAILABLE IN APRIL · The spring 2000 fastbacks will be published in April. Tentative titles include: Creativity in the School as Workplace, Making Sense of Standardized Tests, Helping the Grieving Child in School, HIV/AIDS Education, Creating a School Within a School, Military Children, School Public Relations, and Managing Classroom Crises. Each fastback lists for $3, but members can take advantage of several types of discounts. Since the fastback program was initiated in 1972, more than 8 million copies have been disseminated.

VIDEOS PROMOTE CONFLICT RESOLUTION · Two video series from PDK help students develop the skills needed to prevent and resolve conflicts. Getting Along (grades pre-K to 2) includes seven programs, and Working Together (grades 3-6) includes six programs. Each series includes a teacher's guide. The cost of Getting Along is $665; Working Together is $570. Preview videos are available.

Foundation News by Scott Hutchinson, Development Officer

Donovan R. Walling and George Kersey Jr. each announced their plans to endow PDK scholarship funds in memory and tribute to family members.

These are the two newest endowed scholarship funds to be started in the PDK Educational Foundation. An endowed scholarship fund must reach at least $10,000 before a scholarship can be awarded. Currently there are 26 fully endowed funds and five funds that are being built.

Donovan Walling's scholarship fund is established in memory of his late wife, Diana Lynn Eveland Walling, and his parents, Sergeant Major Donovan Ernest Walling and Dorothy Jane Goyette Walling. The purpose of his fund is to provide an annual scholarship to a graduating high school senior. The recipient will be the son or daughter of a parent on, or retired from, active duty in the United States Army. The recipient must intend to major in music or art education with the ultimate objective of teaching.

George Kersey Jr.'s scholarship fund is established to honor his parents, George and Mary Kersey, and four grandparents, James and Jennie Kersey and John and Lottie Oglesby.

Scholarship funds can be endowed by either chapters or individuals. After notifying the International Office of one's intention, donors have five years to reach a total of at least $10,000. The first scholarship from the fund is awarded the year after the minimum is reached.

Creators of these endowed funds both name the fund and help set the criteria for awarding scholarships. Of course, other people can contribute to these funds, enabling the fund to reach its goal more quickly.

One of the most emotionally rewarding activities of the Phi Delta Kappa Educational Foundation is the generous effort to endow a memorial scholarship. If you would like to learn more about establishing an endowed scholarship fund, contact Scott Hutchinson at the International Office.

The New Millennium Leadership Campaign
On Saturday, 23 October 1999, Bessie Gabbard challenged the participants at the 2nd Legislative Council to match her contribution of $50,000 to the Phi Delta Kappa Educational Foundation. The participants not only succeeded, but they exceeded the challenge. After adding additional commitments received the next morning, donors had pledged or contributed $62,145 to the foundation. We congratulate and thank everyone, especially Bessie Gabbard, for their generosity and commitment to the Educational Foundation.

The pledges and contributions received that night are part of the New Millennium Leadership Campaign slated to begin 1 July 2000. With a goal of raising $457,000 by 30 June 2001, the gifts by Bessie and the Legislative Council are a very good start.

The New Millennium Leadership Campaign is dedicated to furthering the goals that George Reavis had when he started the PDK Educational Foundation more than three decades ago. Information about the New Millennium Leadership Campaign will be sent to all chapter foundation representatives

Chapters Receive "Achieve 80" Membership Awards

Membership development awards were given to 89 chapters this year. The Achieve 80 Membership Development Awards, which recognize chapters that recruit new members and retain Kappans in their chapters, were announced at the 2nd Legislative Council in Bloomington in October.

Premier Awards were presented to the five chapters, district, and coordinator area with outstanding records in membership development. The five premier chapters are:

University of North Alabama

United Kingdom

Jacksonville State University

Kerr Regional North Carolina

Baylor University

The United Kingdom Chapter has been an Achieve 80 chapter each year since the program began four years ago.

The University of Maine Chapter was the premier new chapter in PDK. Only chapters installed since 1997 are eligible for the new chapter award.

District V was the premier district for membership development, and Area 5Q was the premier coordinator area. Each Premier Award winner received a certificate and a $500 award.

Chapters also received awards for being the outstanding chapters in their districts and coordinator areas. The outstanding Achieve 80 chapter in each district received a certificate and a $250 award. Those chapters are:

District I: Montana State University

District II: Golden Gate California

District III: Texhoma Texas

District IV: Southeast Nebraska

District V: Central Indiana

District VI: Suffolk County

District VII: Natchez Mississippi

District VIII: Piedmont Area South Carolina

District IX: Iberia Spain

The Central Indiana and Suffolk County Chapters also have been Achieve 80 chapters each year since the program began.

Fifty-three of PDK's 102 coordinator areas included chapters that received Achieve 80 Awards. The outstanding chapter in each coordinator area received a certificate of recognition.

An additional 21 chapters initiated enough new members and retained enough of their current members to receive recognition as Achieve 80 chapters. Those chapters also will receive a certificate of recognition.

PDK's leadership depends on its members. Kappans concerned about the future of education should initiate young educators who will be tomorrow's leaders. They also must keep their current members involved if they are to benefit from their experience.

The Achieve 80 Awards are designed to keep those goals before our chapters. For more information about these awards, contact Billie Spellman at the PDK International Office.

Harris and Duckett Retire in October

Phillip Harris, the director of the Center for Professional Development and Services (CPD&S), and Willard Duckett, acting director of the Center for Evaluation, Development, and Research (CEDR), both retired in October.

Harris, who became director of CPD&S when the Center for Professional Development merged with the Center for the Dissemination of Innovative Programs, has been a major force in PDK's success in providing professional development programs throughout North America. Harris began the Professional Development Institutes, which brought PDK programs to schools, hospitals, and other institutions, as well as the Gabbard Institutes and a variety of other programs that have benefited Kappans over the years.

Though Harris retired from PDK, he is not a retiree. He is now the executive director of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology, which recently moved to Bloomington, Indiana. Harris said he hopes to establish several cooperative projects between that organization and PDK.

Willard Duckett first came to PDK's International Office in 1975 to work on special projects. He became the assistant director of the Center for the Dissemination of Innovative Programs; and, when CEDR Director William Gephart left, Duckett agreed to serve as acting director of that center. He then served as assistant director of CEDR under Larry Barber, again becoming acting director after Barber's retirement.

PDK Executive Director George Kersey called Duckett the association's "man for all seasons." In addition to his work for CEDR, Duckett has organized PDK's various chapter research projects and has performed a wide variety of other tasks for the association. For example, he is one of the reasons that PDK's Legislative Councils have run so smoothly, working behind the scenes to ensure that everything is where it was supposed to be.

Harris and Duckett have been responsible for many of the successes of Phi Delta Kappa over the years. These two outstanding Kappans will be missed.

Stan Elam Honored as Hall of Fame Inductee

Stanley M. Elam, editor emeritus of the Phi Delta Kappan, was inducted into the EdPress Hall of Fame in November. EdPress is the Association of Educational Publishers. Elam was nominated by Hall of Fame inductee Ben Brodinsky, who praised Elam's leadership and imagination, saying, "He led a generation of educators and would-be writers to express important ideas in clear, graphic writing. As president of EdPress, he stimulated the organization with ideas and imaginative action."

Stanley M. Elam, born in 1916, grew up on a farm in south central Illinois, where he attended a rural elementary school and was valedictorian of Stewardson District High School in 1934. A Lindley Scholarship enabled him to attend Eastern Illinois State Teachers College (now Eastern Illinois University), where he edited both the student newspaper and the student yearbook. He received a B.S. in education (with honors) in 1938. In that same year he became principal/teacher at Jewett (Illinois) High School and was named superintendent of the Jewett public schools the following year. He earned an M.A. in educational administration and economics from the University of Illinois in 1941 and from 1941 to 1943 served as principal of Willow Hill (Illinois) High School. He was superintendent of the Allerton (Illinois) public schools during 1943-44.

After serving with the U.S. armed forces in the South Pacific for two years, he became director of public relations and alumni services at Eastern Illinois University, where he remained until he joined the staff of Phi Delta Kappa in July of 1956. While employed at Eastern Illinois, he pursued a doctorate at the University of Illinois, under the direction of N.L. Gage, and received his Ed.D. in 1955.

During his 25 years (1956-81) with Phi Delta Kappa, Elam served as editor-in-chief of the Phi Delta Kappan and as editor of numerous books and publications. In 1976 he also assumed the title of Director of Publications for Phi Delta Kappa. During his tenure as editor of the Kappan, Elam was a visiting professor at eight universities, including the University of California at Berkeley, and served a two-year term as president of EdPress.

Since leaving the editorship of the Kappan in 1981, Elam has continued his work in education journalism as a Kappan contributing editor and, until recently, as polling coordinator for Phi Delta Kappa. His chief responsibility in the latter role had been to supervise the design of the survey and to write the report of the annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll of the Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools. Elam also is the author of a 25-year history of the poll, titled How America Views Its Schools: The PDK/Gallup Polls, 1969-1994, published by PDK in 1995.

Kappan Article Prompts Research Award

The National Council for the Social Studies has given its Exemplary Research in Social Studies Award to Sam Wineburg "on the basis of his article 'Historical Thinking and Other Unnatural Acts,' which appeared in the March 1999 issue of Phi Delta Kappan." That article examined some of the reasons for studying history in schools, as well as the mental skills and attitudes required for thinking historically.

Wineburg is a professor in the Department of Educational Psychology and an adjunct professor in the Department of History at the University of Washington. He has published a number of articles in the Kappan over the past few years.

"Historical Thinking and Other Unnatural Acts" also is available online in the Kappan pages of PDK's website.

New Service from PDK Helps Schools Use Technology Better

Thousands of schools have spent millions of dollars on technology, but many educators are unsure that the effort has made much of a difference in education. TechAudits, a new service from PDK's Center for Professional Development and Services (CPD&S), not only will answer that question but also will help schools use technology to increase student learning.

The TechAudits use a team of expert, external auditors who examine all aspects of technology use in a school district. The auditors have extensive experience with technology and education, both in K-12 schools and universities. They include former teachers, technology coordinators, superintendents and other administrators, and experts in software and network design, evaluation, teacher education, and technology funding.

Each TechAudit is customized to meet the needs of a particular district. Audits usually take about two months to complete, including a five-day onsite visit by the audit team.

The TechAudits are a cooperative project of Phi Delta Kappa and Indiana University's Center for Research on Technology and Learning. For more information about TechAudits, contact the Center for Professional Development and Services at the PDK International Office.

News, Notes, and Quotes is published three times a year by Phi Delta Kappa International, P.O. Box 789, Bloomington, IN 47402-0789.

NN&Q Staff
Donovan R. Walling, Editor
David M. Ruetschlin, Managing Editor
Debbie Webb, Graphic Designer
Terri Hampton, Secretary