Joellen Killion is senior advisor to Learning Forward. In each issue of JSD, Killion explores a recent research study to help practitioners understand the impact of particular professional learning practices on student outcomes. The study presented here builds on past research about the relationships between teacher practice and beliefs, teacher…

In each issue of the "Journal of Staff Development" ("JSD"), senior advisor to Learning Forward author Joellen Killion explores a recent research study to help practitioners understand the impact of particular professional learning practices on student outcomes. Detailed in this issue is a randomized control study in which…

This article describes a school district administrator's research on optimal coaching experiences for classroom teachers. This research was done with the intent of gaining a better understanding of how coaching affects student learning. The author defines coaching as the assistance given to a teacher to improve on teaching practices in order to…

In this study of 16 teachers in two primary schools in the Netherlands, researchers built on findings from previous studies to demonstrate that a thoughtfully designed professional development program can be "effective and sustainable, if certain conditions are met" (p. 772) in changing teachers' knowledge, beliefs, perceived problems,…

Adopting new curricula presents both a need and an opportunity for professional development to advance teacher content knowledge and instructional practices for achieving curriculum-specific student outcomes. This study examines two modalities of professional development: face-to-face in a summer workshop and online that included two days of…

This article highlights several key findings from the research project sponsored by the National Staff Development Council. Data and findings drawn from this study will be used to establish benchmarks for assessing progress in professional development over time. Taken as a whole, this work will provide the most comprehensive picture and…

A statewide survey on teacher induction and mentoring programs, conducted in Ohio during 1991-92, asked districts to report on the presence or absence of program components required by the Ohio standard for entry-year certification. Most districts reported having mentoring programs that had major positive effects, though there were some problems.…

The Fall River Institute for Leadership was established in 1984 to aid administrators in learning about recent studies, programs, and practices in the field of leadership development and to help Fall River's 102 administrators refine their leadership skills. This article provides an overview of the institute's program. (MT)

The Akron Public Schools conduct three interrelated programs for principals to ensure school improvement. They are Administrative Supervision Workshops, /I/D/E/A/ Principals Inservice Program, and Operation Curriculum for School Improvement. The programs, and how they overlap, are described. (MT)

The Worthington School District uses the Social Style Model in a two-day seminar to help administrators become aware of the effect of their behavior on others and to understand the effect of others' behavior on them. The program and its benefits are discussed. (MT)

"Even Champions Have Coaches" is a North Carolina program begun under the assumption that preparing principals as trainer/coaches for their peers would allow them to understand how change occurs in schools and increase the probability of successful implementation of state educational initiatives. (MT)

Presents a set of snapshots of the work of the Staff Development Leadership Councils created by the National Staff Development Council in 1998, offering lessons for others who want to do similar work in their states and provinces. The examples come from Texas, Louisiana, Illinois, Kansas, and Indiana. Information on contact people for each project…

This article describes the complex nature of the principal's job and discusses four programs that help principals acquire the skills needed to be successful. These programs are (1) Peer Assisted Leadership (PAL); (2) Cognitive Coaching; (3) Developmental Supervision; and (4) Differentiated Supervision. (MT)

Advocates alternative staff development via the Authentic Professional Development (APD) model, suggesting that teachers trained under this model are more likely to actually bring new strategies and techniques into the classroom and use them effectively. Research comparing the APD model to traditional inservice training found the APD was very…

In 1984, Texas law mandated that each principal, supervisor, and superintendent in the state attend training in general management, instructional leadership, and teacher appraisal. This article describes the three phases of Lubbock's Effective Teaching/Supervision Model, focusing on Phase I: Instructional Leadership. (MT)