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)

Administrators involved in school improvement programs are finding that supervision is the essence of instructional leadership. Effective supervisor leadership requires constant searching for ways to integrate several core elements of school improvement--classroom instruction, curriculum development, classroom management, and staff development.…

Suggests ways that transactional learning can be reflected in staff development practices. Addresses issues raised during attempts to implement a whole-language staff development program. Contends that what unites whole-language teachers is a unique but common orientation toward instruction and curriculum and that this orientation can be reflected…

An elementary school art teacher with 25 years' experience with the Fairfax County (Virginia) Public Schools praises her district's nationally recognized program. She attributes success to several factors: a written curriculum for grades K-6, a strategies document for implementing the curriculum, a strong staff development component, collaboration…

Describes how education came to adopt the textbook approach and reviews various educational reform movements. Suggests that more attention must be paid to the processes whereby educators take the lead in the development of reflection that leads to changes in schools and the attitudes of the general public. (Author/JOW)

This article presents findings from a consultation project conducted by faculty from six schools of social work with approximately 150 child welfare supervisors over a two-year period. The purpose of the program was to assist supervisors with their roles as educators, mentors, and coaches for casework staff, specifically in relationship to case…

This paper suggests that leadership is needed to assist teachers in doing an excellent job of teaching social studies. The principal or supervisor must provide the necessary leadership. This leader needs to observe teaching and learning situations frequently in the classroom setting. Teaching suggestions are provided by the leader to teachers so…

The aim of this article has been to highlight some of the difficulties which must be faced if interdisciplinary studies are to be introduced into the secondary school. (Author/RK)

Issues are discussed that may help school boards become more aware of what instructional technology can and should do for students. The discussion is limited to computers and their relationship to other electronic learning technologies. The issues are organized according to policy and planning, staff, curriculum, equity, and funding. The…

The guidelines are intended to help districts design, implement, and evaluate educational programs for gifted and talented students in Minnesota. Educational components of a gifted education program plan are listed, followed by analysis of the following topics: development of a gifted education program plan (a two-stage process involving initial…

Four papers by four conference speakers deal with the theme that educational planning is urgent, and that it vitally needs time and resources. Specialist personnel may be required and without them it is doubtful if full benefit can be obtained either from the planning process or from the implementation of plans once developed. At the same time,…

Describes the development of a school-based reading policy in an elementary school, including staff development, development of policy, general aims, and selection of reading materials. (FL)

Describes a plan of action developed at an Illinois high school that involved staff in communicating needed improvement in curricular programs. (MD)

Discusses the negative and positive aspects of teacher autonomy in relation to curriculum development and control. Outlines a process for solving the problem that includes conducting staff development through dialog, delineating mastery curriculum, mapping ideal curriculum, and developing curriculum-based tests. Includes references and a figure.…