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Change to a middle school brought some complaints from teachers, parents, and students. A principal describes the forces to maintain the status quo and shares her strategies and solutions. Lists nine factors that illustrate the difference in perspective from the traditional approach of education to one of educating students for the twenty-first century. (eight references) (MLF)

The transition of Herbert Hoover school from a strict department junior high school to a middle school within three years is described. The reduced number of students necessitated reducing resource allocation, and less experienced staff were employed as student strength declined. The staff were tuned to the needs of minority students and special needs teachers were familiarized with co-operative learning. Leadership staff were trained for better performance and staff members were familiarized with the pre-requisites for a good middle school.

Pharmacologic studies examined the potential of a solution containing olopatadine to maintain and extend antiallergic efficacy after single topical ocular drop administration over 24 hours. Results of these preclinical experiments conducted in guinea pigs indicated that olopatadine 0.2% (wt/vol) solution was significantly effective 24 hours after dosing. This concentration of olopatadine provided significantly more efficacy than Patanol (olopatadine 0.1%) 24 hours after administration while being as effective as Patanol (olopatadine 0.1%) 5 minutes after administration. Results from a human conjunctival allergen challenge trial in sensitive subjects confirmed clinical efficacy of olopatadine 0.2% solution over 24 hours. When individuals were challenged with antigen at onset, 16 and 24 hours after drug administration onto the eye, significant reductions were observed in the scores for active drug as compared with placebo for pruritus (77, 77, and 61%), conjunctival redness (35, 28, and 20%), and chemosis (53,41, and 31%), respectively. These data suggest that topically applied olopatadine 0.2% solution will be an effective once-a-day therapy for allergic conjunctivitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Briefly describes how to help children improve their interviewing skills. (JMB)