Myths about merit pay for teachers (teachers are in favor of merit pay, money is a motivator, merit pay will persuade qualified people to enter and remain in teaching, merit pay promotes competition which produces excellence, and motivating teachers is a simple matter of offering extrinsic rewards) are negated in a review of relevant literature.…

Attitudes of teachers regarding inservice and staff development focused on gifted/talented students range from negative to hostile. Research and programs which encourage the development of effective inservice and staff development and which motivate teachers to be receptive and positive about developing skills to identify and teach gifted students…

Reviews a number of factors that should be considered in preparing instruments to evaluate inservice programs. Offers a sample evaluation form. (FL)

Because of recent educational innovations with regard to learning disabilities, more effective methods are being sought for informing the school staff about new developments. A model is presented for establishing and implementing a staff development program in reading. (JN)

Research on staff development in rural and non-rural settings provides guidelines for effective practice. Research on rural staff development, however, must be increased and become more systematic and focused. (JD)

Increasing numbers of midcareer personnel in the work force necessitate innovative management methods to deal with motivation, obsolescence, and plateauing. Organizational approaches include restructuring, reward system, career management techniques, and education and training. (SK)

Examines how Russo's humanistic-critical theory for social-action integration requires shifting staff development focused on knowing and caring about others to self-development that includes everyone. Rationale, resources, and successful action-practice models support and extend Russo's theory for responsible social-action education in a…

Discusses trends in outsourcing, provision of goods and services to an organization that were previously delivered in house. Addresses outsourcing in the public sector, advantages and disadvantages, implications for human resource development, and the shift to the new "psychological contract" between employers and employees. (Contains…

English language teaching (ELT) has played an important role in the Chinese Radio and Television Universities (RTVU) network since its establishment in the late 1970s. Based on a literature review and reflection from an insider's perspective, this paper gives a full account of the RTVU distance ELT model, examining how it supports autonomous…

Gay and lesbian students in high schools and colleges face special problems and may be the very people who receive the least help. It is estimated that one-third of all suicides among teenagers are committed by gay and lesbian students, and it is further estimated that gay people seek counseling at a rate two to four times greater than the non-gay…

A study examined the impact of assuming the role of action researcher in one's own classroom as an example of inquiry-oriented, professional staff development. The study was a part of a comprehensive, longitudinal investigation of the impact of certain professional development experiences on K-12 classroom teachers. A review of the literature and…

Intended for educational leaders, this three-section monograph presents information and perspectives regarding support given to beginning teachers. The first section reviews a variety of perspectives on the purposes that teacher induction programs can serve. Among the perspectives discussed are those based on studies of beginning teachers'…

To assist vocational educators with long-range planning, the authors discuss understanding needs assessment and defining needs, describe the levels and stages of needs assessment, and present sources and tools for conducting assessments. (SK)

Provides a historical and current overview of staff-development program models in higher education. Traces the establishment of the Ball State University division of student affairs staff-development program as a model in staff-development design and functional-program services. Discusses methods of evaluation, issues, and trends. Provides…

A literature review identified principles for supporting innovation and creativity in organizations: integrated approach, the right climate, and appropriate incentives. Staff development should focus on such skills as teamwork, communication, vision, change management, and leadership. Internet and intranet communications are beginning to be…