Proposes six strategies for planning staff development programs. They should (1) be participatory, (2) be situation-specific, (3) be flexible, (4) mitigate status differences between teachers and administrators, (5) depend upon insiders for guidance, and (6) be planned with an understanding of the influence of the context upon the program. (JOW)

This paper introduces the antecedents and concepts underlying a 2-year investigation of Interactive Research and Development on Schooling (IR&DS). IR&DS is an alternative means of conducting school-based research and development and is seen as a means to: (1) involve school personnel in systematic inquiry; (2) improve the utility of…

Selected research studies which have potential utility for and impact upon the conduct of staff development programs in school settings are reviewed in this paper. The context, assessment, content, and process of staff development programs are defined, and 27 validated studies are introduced and discussed. Trends in findings are noted, and gaps in…