Several tools exist that school districts can use to help solve current or potential problems in compensatory programs. The school district should begin by conducting (1) a study to determine the extent to which students are served by multiple compensatory programs, (2) on-site observations of the programs, and (3) a review of the curriculum and…

The principal's first priority is to take care of himself or herself, next the teachers, then the entire school. Laughter and creativity are emphasized as important tools for principals to use in relieving the stress of their positions. Principals need to understand their jobs, that there are few ready made solutions and no magic formulas. They…

Examines the role of the secondary school secretary in Great Britain as that role is prescribed in job descriptions; performed in fact; and perceived by secretaries, administrators, teachers, and others. Suggests that aspects of the role as the role is perceived may indicate possible avenues for staff development. (PGD)

Effective schools research offers administrators evidence of teaching methods that enhance student achievement; imparting this knowledge to faculty through staff development is essential. A solution to the problem of interrupting classroom time for staff development is to utilize teacher time in a nonthreatening method that is collegial in nature.…

Research evidence clearly indicates the need to improve the school administrator's effectiveness as a key factor in educational reform. One difficulty is balancing administrators' wants with organizational needs. Inservice education planners' examination of these wants and needs led to the client-based needs assessment process described in this…

This paper describes an inservice training project in Colorado funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The goal of the project is to create a self-sustaining and expanding network of trained leaders in geographic education. The project addresses: (1) the need to improve and expand the geographic literacy of U.S. citizens; (2) the…

This paper is designed to help educational leaders improve their decision making strategies (and correspondingly educational practice) by evaluating their own strategy in concert with a model proposed in the paper. The proposed model provides educational leaders with an enhanced context within which one can effectively analyze and evaluate…

Using the development of Third World countries as a metaphor for individual school development, this article describes a method used for eight years in a British secondary school to support internal school development initiatives. Emphasis is placed on internal communication and collaboration and on obtaining outside support rather than outside…

This study attempted to identify variables supportive of inclusive programming for children with disabilities from the teacher's perspective. Structured interviews with 10 teachers at two pilot elementary schools in Indiana addressed issues concerning type and frequency of staff development, site visits to inclusive schools, previous experience…

A training program is described that was developed to improve administrators' supervisory skills in conducting classroom observations and conferences with teachers. The program includes training in the seven phases of clinical supervision and their respective skill components, including an understanding of the six forces that affect conferences.…

This article describes three interacting phases of the New Lexington City Schools' staff development program, which began in 1979. The first phase, overcoming psychological resistance to the program, had three components: convincing staff, designing a plan ensuring staff control of events, and developing a climate to foster openness, trust, and…

A case study describes how a rural local education agency (Allegany County, Maryland) developed a comprehensive staff development system. It presents some contextual and theoretical background information, summarizes the problem as perceived by key actors, and then describes a series of activities resulting in the development of the comprehensive…

In response to accountability pressures over the past several years, a body of research attempting to identify characteristics of effective schools has developed. Efforts to improve school climate or evaluate teachers solely according to "effective school" characteristics may be misguided. One problem is that school effectiveness may be…

The staff development program of the Elmira City School District, New York, is designed to assist teachers in teaching to the specific objectives of the curriculum, and to ensure that teachers have the requisite knowledge and skills to accomplish this. The plan provides an opportunity for every teacher, building administrator, and the…

This paper discusses four conceptions of excellence (excellence as proficiency, excellence and disciplinary initiation, excellence as self-actualization, and excellence as social responsibility) and shows how they can be addressed within a science, technology, society (STS) approach to science instruction. Additional topics considered include: (1)…