Staff development is the key to middle school effectiveness, and this article lists characteristics of an effective staff development program, examples of activities and topics, and questions for program evaluation. (DCS)

To recognize high performance administrators, a South Carolina school district has added a performance incentive to the basic salary plan for administrators. Criteria for comparing job targets that are selected by the administrators are based on scope, complexity, and anticipated impact. (MLF)

Conflict resolution skills needed to deal with anger are outlined. Staff that can effectively deal with conflict minimize negative consequences in school community relations. (MD)

How can a school become a place where all members of the staff are learning, growing, and working to increase student achievement? The answer lies in systems thinking and a focus on continuous improvement, two concepts that can transform staff development from something that people merely tolerate to something that they actively pursue to create…

This book builds a case for the importance of the learning environment as functional, inviting, and enabling for children. Chapter 1, "A pressing need: why display and environment for learning matter," introduces the book, discusses a strategy for staff development, suggests points to consider when surveying the school, and talks about involving…

This facilitator's manual goes with a training module for inexperienced elementary classroom assistant teachers, which provides information on what their job consists of, what is occurring in American elementary schools, and possibilities for paraeducators. Part 1, "Preparing for Training," includes a checklist for paraeducator training, morning…

If school improvement efforts are to succeed, it seems clear that institutions of higher education, school districts, and state education agencies must work together to create new strategies, incentives, and options that will promote educators' learning of the new practices and perspectives that will change the core of educational practice. The…

A multi-year project was initiated to examine production equipment issues related to implementation of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). The purposes of the research project were to determine foodservice directors' opinions regarding use and appropriateness of equipment in school foodservice, to identify the number and variety of menu…

Provides guidelines for organizing staff development programs, covering assessment, statement of philosophy, organization and staffing, various activities to meet the needs of constituencies represented within the institution, incentives and rewards, adequate funding, and an overall program evaluation. Stresses staff development as a means to…

The Questions to Upgrade and Encourage Student Thinking (QUEST) program is designed to improve student reading comprehension by improving teacher questioning skills. (Author/MLF)

As college administration requires a more professional approach and administrator evaluation plays a real part in administrator development, the staff evaluation seminar model is proposed to improve performance appraisal. Peer and subordinate evaluation and third-person intervention are key elements in the evaluative process. (MSE)

Much camp counselor work takes place where no administrator is present. Gives managerial tools that help "see the invisible" before campers arrive and during camp. Discusses methods of evaluating staff. Studies from other fields with similar managerial situations show that leadership through articulation of a vision and staff attitudes are more…

This article describes the origins of and the planning involved in a successful school-based staff development program called "Teacher Sharing." The program is simple, informal, and based entirely on teacher input. (IAH)

This discussion reviews the literature regarding consultation as a form of indirect service delivery in early intervention for children with disabilities, identifies barriers to effective consultation practice, and concludes that consultation can allow children with disabilities to receive intervention services in integrated settings if…

This article presents the University of New Hampshire's approach to ongoing training of computer users and argues that training is an investment with a large payoff. The article considers factors affecting training success; computer support; academic computing training; and administrative computing training, including developing a user services…