A needs assessment conducted with 469 first-year teachers in Virginia in 1984-85 sought to determine the teachers' needs in terms of their competencies and what sort of learning experiences would be most helpful to them. Respondents indicated needs in a wide range of competency areas, with classroom management evoking the greatest concern.…

This general introduction to educational uses of microcomputers provides basic information to assist educators, parents, and concerned citizens in implementing microcomputer programs in the schools. An overview and brief history of educational computing is followed by suggestions which emphasize the need for planning, including pitfalls to avoid,…

This collection of essays on school climate seeks to provide a broad perspective on climate evaluation and to suggest activities that can improve working conditions in schools. Written by practicing educators who have exercised leadership in school climate improvement projects, the articles are divided into two sections: evaluation and…

This inventory is designed to help educational consultants assess their levels of knowledge and skills in ten broad areas of consulting: communication, entry/intervention, diagnosis, group facilitation, problem-solving, influence/power, resource utilization, conflict management/utilization, and evaluation. The instrument is designed to help…

The guide lists behaviors and skills needed by persons who work as teachers with very young handicapped children and their families. It is explained that ratings may be completed by self, peer, or supervisor. Skills are listed in 11 areas: referral, intake, and screening; determining child placement; interdisciplinary assessment; interdisciplinary…

Describes a program for formulating and implementing a staff development plan for technology based on experiences in the Lake Forest School District (Delaware). A comparison of pre- and posttest responses of teachers indicated improvement in skill levels and more positive attitudes toward the use of technology in education. The annual technology…

Presents guidelines and a self-assessment questionnaire that were developed by the New York Library Association for libraries serving users with hearing impairments. Areas covered by the documents include policy statements, materials, services, programing, cooperation with other agencies, facilities, and staff development. (LRW)

The Chinatown Manpower Workplace Literacy Program was funded by the United States Department from November 1, 1993 to April 30, 1995. The program consisted of three 18-week cycles, each comprised of 50 hours of instruction of garment-related English and English as a Second Language aimed at upgrading the literacy level of Chinese workers;…

A generic staff development model for kindergarten through sixth-grade child care programs is described. Recommendations for the what, when, and how of staff development activities are based on a review of the literature and a needs assessment survey administered in two school districts and a private sector, school-age child care program in…

There is growing public recognition that the most important route to educational improvement is through enhancing the skills and status of adults who work within the education system. The purpose of this document is to provide a resource to school personnel who are attempting to improve their professional development efforts; hence both sections…

A study was conducted to determine the important components of a comprehensive staff development program. To guide the investigation, a paradigm was constructed which identified the content areas of staff development as personal/professional, program/instructional, and organizational development; and which specified a statement of purpose or…

A questionnaire was used to survey county school health education coordinators, supervisors or contacts in Florida. Forty contacts representing 24 rural and 16 urban school districts returned the completed questionnaire. A brief comment accompanies each of the listed responses to the nine questions on the current status of health education in…

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of Maintaining Teaching Effectiveness, a staff development model, upon public school educators' attitudes toward various professional and personal factors. The techniques used for the project included a collegial support network and peer coaching. A total of 24 educators participated from…

This study investigated how Teachers Teaching Teachers, a staff development project, influenced the attitudes and beliefs of public school teachers and administrators. Fifty-two educators participated in the project, which lasted from November, 1987 to May, 1988. Participants were administered pre- and post-measures of Likert Bipolar Attitude…

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect Teachers Teaching Teachers, a staff development project incorporating peer coaching methods, had on public school educators' attitudes and beliefs toward various personal and professional components. Forty-four teachers, administrators, and other school personnel participated in the Teachers…