Significant and effective implementation of inclusive education (IE) has been a major challenge in many countries during the last decades. Although teachers' knowledge and skills are considered a key factor for successful inclusive practice, the whole school staff commitment and contribution to implementing IE policies are equally important.…

Teachers' problem-based learning knowledge, abilities, and attitudes are important factors in successful K--12 PBL implementations. This article describes the development and use of a free, online module entitled "Design a Problem-Based Learning Experience." The module production, aligned with theories of andragogy, was a partnership…

This paper provides outcomes of a study examining the effectiveness of a year-long professional development training series designed to support in-service educators in learning a systematic approach to functional assessment-based interventions developed by Umbreit and colleagues (2007) that has met with demonstrated success when implemented with…

The Wisconsin K-12 Energy Education Program (KEEP) is a statewide education program located in the Midwest of the United States. The goal of the program is to leverage teacher education to improve and increase energy literacy in Wisconsin's K-12 schools as a means of contributing to statewide energy savings. Created in 1995, the program continues…

Engineering has gained considerable traction in many K-12 schools. However, there are several obstacles or challenges to an effective approach that leads to student learning. Questions such as where engineering best fits in the curriculum; how to include it authentically and appropriately; toward what educational end; and how best to prepare…

In "Effective Literacy Coaching: Building Expertise and a Culture of Literacy," literacy experts Shari Frost, Roberta Buhle, and Camille Blachowicz provide more than 50 practical activities designed to help K-12 literacy professionals: (1) Assess the current literacy program; (2) Plan changes that will foster a culture of literacy; (3) Collaborate…

The handbook provides suggestions and guidelines to assist local education agency personnel in planning and implementing inservice education programs for the teacher of the gifted and talented. Information is presented on the following topics: the need for inservice education; twelve guiding principles for inservice education (including use of a…

A five-step process is outlined for planning successful inservice programs in special education: (1) needs assessment, (2) establishment of priorities, (3) selection of delivery strategy, (4) design of content and methods, and (5) evaluation. Sample planning records and forms are included. (CL)

Preferred practices in planning, inplementing, and evaluating inservice education for special educators are identified. Among nine specific guidelines given are to operationally define targeted teacher behaviors, allow regular and special educators to help structure inservice outcomes, and use secondary reinforcers to maintain teacher behaviors.…

An effective inservice program in special education identifies objectives, selects qualified staff, uses effective content delivery, uses the appropriate level of intensity, and evaluates inservice effectiveness. An example of an intensive inservice program that documented student progress illustrates the benefits of implementing a well-planned…

A dozen suggestions to improve school district inservice programs are made. (1) Bring a university program to the district; the teachers and administrators who participate will pay for it and earn college credits on their own time. (2) Be sure to provide some time for people to meet by grade level or subject area. (3) Use teachers as presenters…

The public school system of Houston County, Georgia, has instituted an inservice staff development program planned by the teachers themselves. Following assessment of the needs of students and parents as well as teachers, the planning group designed a program offering college credit to participants. Houston County teachers now find it possible to…

Reviewed in the article on the special education director's role in inservice training programs are planning procedures (including evaluation of the present program by all staff), types of programs offered (such as summer curriculum writing and teacher orientation week), and evaluation methods. (CL)

Some ideas and concerns about inservice education, particularly inservice education relating to the handicapped, are presented from the perspectives of public school personnel, university trainers, researchers, and the Division of Personnel Preparation of the Bureau of Education for the Handicapped. (SBH)

Strategies are presented for overcoming three common inservice problems regarding mainstreaming: perceived need for inservice by educators and policymakers versus limited funding available; perceived need for inservice for mainstreaming versus competing community priorities; and stated need for inservice versus natural obstacles presented by staff…