For months, the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) have been debated throughout the media, legislatures, education organizations, and households across the country. Education groups have released statements both in favor of the standards and opposed. As these arguments are being tossed around, 44 states and D.C. are implementing CCSS and other…

Interest in staff development for principals bodes well for teachers and students. By engaging in and modeling learning, principals can create a community of learners. (MLF)

Outlines the Madison Workshop Program for staff development, operated by the local school system in cooperation with a local college. This unique collaboration funds nationally known educators to present workshops for local teachers. (MD)

Awards for exemplary staff development programs from the National Center for the Improvement of Learning are announced for 17 school districts, selected from 55 submitted to the award competition. Nine of the programs are featured in this issue; the remaining eight will be described in the March issue. (MLF)

One common error plagues the staff development planning process. This error is the general failure to provide a way to transfer new information and skill to the classroom. Activities that target the application of skills learned in staff development or inservice activities are commonly referred to as "followup" activities. This study explores the…

The school principal has a key role in working with teachers to enhance the school as a learning community. Chapter 1 discusses the standards that emanate from such organizations as the National Staff Development Council (NSDC) and National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and that serve as a basis for designing staff…

The article describes a facilitative rather than supervisory administrative approach to encourage teachers' creative efforts as they encourage children's creativity. Practices that inhibit creativity are described, and recommendations for administrative support are noted. (Author/DB)

Dexter, Kansas, uses a four-day school week that is improving classroom instruction and cutting energy bills. There is evidence that four-day schedules improve student achievement, increase attendance, allow more class time, raise teacher morale, and provide more staff development time. (MD)

From 1985 through 1989, studies were made annually of the administrative needs of school leaders in Georgia. This document functions as a guide for the Georgia Education Leadership Academy, as it looks ahead to the future of staff development for Georgia's school leaders. In 1985-87 and 1989, superintendents were asked to rate 61 common…

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…

This paper looks at the ways in which the role of the teacher is expanding in schools across the country. The report also discusses the reasons behind such changes in the roles and responsibilities assigned to teachers and describes places where teachers are actually carrying out these expanded roles. The knowledge base which answers the question…

Describes a concept called the "professional circle" which is modeled after the quality circle management technique. It works as a support group and helps teachers feel less isolated. (MD)

Offers 11 concrete approaches to improve the quality of substitute teacher programs and provides sample evaluation forms. (MLF)

Observers of school reform efforts in 17 central New York school districts found a performance dip that sets in during the implementation stage. Staff performance suffers because everyone is learning the new system. Assistance, support, and training need to be offered until everyone has mastered the basics. Gradually, the reforms will become an…

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…