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My educational career path began as an elementary school teacher, then as an assistant principal, and now as a principal. With the educational experiences that I had at each level of my career, I was certain I would be able to handle an increase in the mathematical rigor presented to our students through the new Mathematics Standards of Learning for Virginia Public Schools (SOL) [1]. I found that, yes, I was able to understand the rigor. However, I found the challenge was providing the needed assistance to bring about results that would ultimately help our teachers and students be successful. I knew that something was needed, but what that something was I was not sure. Fortunately, Richneck Elementary was provided a wonderful opportunity of being assigned a mathematics coach for three years by way of a grant that the Newport News Public School division was awarded to support military-connected students. In addition, the grant supported teachers to work toward their Mathematics Specialist degree. As a result, Karen Joos, Mathematics Coach, received her master's in education with an endorsement as a Mathematics Specialist. David Hundley, Mathematics Coach Facilitator, provided support for coaches under this grant. This article will provide a road map for the journey: working with the mathematics coaches and understanding their processes, promoting my leadership philosophy in relation to the new rigor of the state standards, improving communication through lessons learned, and identifying the collaboration process to achieve the best results for the school and community.

WHEREAS THE OLD COLD WAR REALISM POSTITED AN "A PRIORI" LIMITATION OF POWER TO STATES, A NEW REALISM WILL HAVE TO BEGIN BY BREAKING THROUGH INHERITED PRECONCEPTIONS TO ENQUIRE WHERE POWER LIES IN THE PRESENT ENLARGED COMPLEX OF FORCES. THIS ARTICLE EXAMINES WHAT CIVILIZATION ACTUALLY IS AND TAKES AN INVENTORY OF CIVILIZATIONAL PERSPECTIVES. IT SUGGESTS THAT A MODEL OF GLOBAL GOVERNANCE HAS BEEN THAT OF A WEAK CENTER IN A FRAGMENTED WHOLE AND THAT THE ALTERNATIVES MAY BE EITHER A CONFLICTUAL ANARCHY OF REALPOLITIK OR A REGIME OF DOMINANCE BY ONE CONCENTRATION OF WORLD POWER.

THE RAPID EXPANSION OF THE DUTCH WELFARE STATE IN THE 1960S IS DESCRIBED AS AN EXAMPLE OF NON-INCREMENTAL POLICY GROWTH. THE REASONS FOR THIS INCLUDE: THE LARGENESS OF POLICY CHANGE; THE WILLINGNESS OF POLICYMAKERS TO CONSIDER NEW PROGRAMS THAT MARKED DRAMATIC DEPARTURES FROM OLDER PROGRAMS; THE COMMITMENT OF POLICYMAKERS TO THE GOAL OF UNIVERSALIZING PROGRAMS RATHER THAN INTRODUCING SATISFYING MEASURES; AND THE DISRUPTION OF THE TRADITIONAL MODE OF CORPORATIST REPRESENTATION IN POLICYMAKING. THE POSSIBILITIES FOR AN EQUALLY RAPID DISMANTLING OF THE WELFARE STATE ARE ALSO DISCUSSED.

Political change in Eastern Europe meant that a policy reform was soon to follow. The initial expectation was that reform would stem from efforts to emulate the Western democratic countries, and that policymakers in Eastern Europe would borrow from the West. In this study it was found that in Czechoslovakia policymakers were attempting to borrow policies primarily from Britain and Sweden, whereas in Hungary the primary models were Germany and Austria. An explanation for this difference is that historical similarities in social-policy development structured the choice of countries, suggesting that historical trends have persisted despite the long period of Communist rule.

Shows that medical professionals have come to replace the labor and capital interests formerly engaged in disability policy-making. Also, professional social work agencies have superceded religious charity organizations that found their basis for policy influence in a 'pillarized' society. Argues that a policy shift accounts for this change. (Abstract amended)

Historically, development of the Dutch public assistance programme has been more contentious than the development of similar programmes in other countries. An explanation focuses on the manifestation of corporatism in a policy area that involved private charity organisations, rather than labour and capital interests. (Abstract amended)