This report describes the design and implementation of the three interventions tested in Project Upgrade, one of four experiments conducted as part of the Evaluation of Child Care Subsidy Strategies. The evaluation was a multi-site, multi-year effort to determine whether and how different child care subsidy policies and procedures and quality…

Using contracted services to support costs of preparing vocational personnel has become fashionable in spite of its many flaws; however, a viable alternative is to apply the principle of excess costs to the support of vocational personnel development programs. This system puts the emphasis on quality and improvement. (CT)

Describes a successful teacher inservice program based on the following elements: (1) a partnership among school and community personnel, (2) strong administrative leadership, (3) participant ownership and involvement, (4) quality trainers, and (5) evaluation and follow up. (FL)

Argues that staff developers can have a significant role in structuring programs for cultural diversity in the schools, and explains how the Cambridge (Massachusetts) school district's commitment to multicultural education led to changes in the curriculum and in the roles of the staff developers over several years. (GLR)

One of the most important educational reforms related to secondary education in Taiwan is the planning of comprehensive high schools. The impetus for their establishment has come from several sources, including increased educational alternatives, integration of academic and vocational education resources to upgrade the quality of education, the…

These four issues of "The Journal of Staff, Program, and Organization Development" contain the following articles: "Faculty Developers: Are They Giving Away the X-Rays?" by Neil D. Fleming; "Alliances for Change: A Procedure for Improving Teaching through Conversations with Learners and Partnerships with Colleagues," by Richard G. Tiberius, and…

The purpose of this paper is to provide information about the current status of available programs, research findings related to quality programs, and issues surrounding programs for 4-year-old children. The paper is intended as a resource for multiple audiences, including decision makers, legislators, regulatory administrators, advocates,…

This booklet outlines the new policy context facing adult and community learning (ACL) providers in Great Britain in their pursuit of high-quality learning experiences for their customers. It shows how a Total Quality Management (TQM) approach to supporting staff development can be effective in securing quality. TQM components are values,…

Professional learning is necessary for a school or district to achieve its goals. It's logical, then, that professional development plans should not exist separately from school improvement plans. To be comprehensive, professional development plans must be integrated with improvement plans to produce a systematic effort that is results-driven,…

These four issues of "The Journal of Staff, Program, and Organization Development" contain the following articles: "A Theory of Effectiveness: Faculty Development Case Studies," by Ronald Smith and Fred Schwartz; "Career Goals of Faculty," by Mary Deane Sorcinelli; "Effects of a Staff Development Center," by Donna Nickel; "Distinguished Teaching…

Perspectives on a greater partnership between education and business/industry are offered. The goal of this partnership is to achieve educational excellence. To accomplish this, greater participation of business and industry in the universities' educational preparation programs is needed. It is necessary to define role responsibilities for a…

It is apparent that the circumstances and environments that surround getting an education in this generation are more complex than in any other generation. One cannot point to any one set of circumstances, curricula, or personnel and make valid generalizations about education, educators, and students. With the so called "knowledge explosion," more…

This report describes Minnesota's thirteen Council on Quality Education (CQE) Early Childhood/Family Education programs from the perspective of external evaluation researchers. Data were obtained from personal on-site interviews with 40 program staff members; personal interviews with 40 local program Advisory Board participants and local school…

This paper describes a list of quality indicators for adult education programs. The list was developed after consideration of background materials and input from four focus groups. The list is divided into two main areas: student outcomes and program process and content. Within each area, the primary indicators (those identified by at least three…

This paper lists practices recommended by the Council for Exceptional Children's Division for Early Childhood concerning personnel competence in early intervention and early childhood special education programs for infants and young children with special needs and their families. An introductory section discusses components of preservice personnel…