This article describes the role of the advisor in a staff development project and how advisors facilitate projects by providing support, clarification, materials, creative ideas, and structure. Recommendations regarding the use of advisors are made. (MT)

Developing a model to improve student academic learning time and achievement and to develop local resources to continue the program after the funding period required a staff development program that enabled teachers to use specific direct instruction teaching behaviors. The staff development program is described and recommendations are made. (MT)

This article provides a rationale for new types of teacher induction programs, a description of an innovative small-group process that provides beginning teachers with peer support, and a brief summary of quantitative and qualitative results obtained from implementing support groups for novice teachers. (IAH)

Methods staff developers used to improve the reading program at a Greenwich, Connecticut, elementary school are discussed. The entire staff of the school was involved in developing the new reading program, which focused on increasing teachers' expectations of student learning, use of diagnostic teaching, and other techniques. (PP)

Staff development programs should be established by using a set of assumptions grounded in research and best practice. The article examines faulty assumptions that guide too many programs, then presents 14 new assumptions that should guide effective practice and successful staff development. (SM)

Data obtained from the Change Facilitators Stages of Concern Questionnaire were used in the Philippines to select content in a one-month staff development program for department heads. The training program was strongly influenced by participants' concerns. The article describes the change facilitator stages of concern. (SM)