School leaders are critical in the lives of students and to the development of their teachers. Unfortunately, in too many instances, principals are effective in spite of--rather than because of--district conditions. To truly improve student achievement for all students across the country, well-prepared principals need the tools, support, and…

To accurately assess the circumstances and needs of its faculty members, an institution must keep track of the factors that affect their professional performance. A modest investment of staff time and energy in gathering this information can pay generous dividends in the form of enhanced faculty morale, growth, and productivity. (Author/MSE)

Use of ethnographic methods to assess learning and staff development needs for workplace adult education programs is discussed, focusing on the teacher's role as ethnographic researcher. Four stages of ethnographic research are identified: (1) open-ended, inductive study; (2) structured observation; (3) analysis; and (4) speculation and sharing of…

This manual outlines and explains procedures for conducting a study of the exact content and requirements of jobs in order to develop an information base for students to use in evaluating their suitability for given jobs. Addressed in the first half of the guide are the following topics: the meaning of the term job study, the image of a job,…

This issue presents two articles on the use of data to improve results for students with disabilities. The first paper examines how researchers supported by the Office of Special Education Programs are discovering innovative uses of scientifically derived information in instructional and administrative decision making as well as strategies for…

This guide, which is based on a 12-month study that examined the feasibility of and procedures for evaluating federal, state, and local supported employment programs for individuals with severe disabilities, discusses recommended data items and measures and presents guidelines for developing a data collection strategy and implementation plan.…

This module, one of a series of 127 performance-based teacher education learning packages focusing on specific professional competencies of vocational teachers, deals with preparing exceptional students for employability. Included in the module are learning experiences that address the following topics: promoting employment opportunities for…

This document is a handbook for adult education professionals to follow when beginning or expanding learning programs to meet the needs of stakeholders at a particular workplace. The handbook presents a seven-step model that is based on the findings of several research and demonstration programs. Each of the handbook's seven chapters details one…