Suggests the strength of vocational proprietary schools lies in sensitivity to students' needs, responsiveness to their interests by providing short courses that are trade-oriented and specific, instant access through frequent starting dates, flexible teaching schedules to match their available time, a work-oriented atmosphere and heavy emphasis…

Examines a confrontation team-building intervention that was highly successful in building the supervisors into a unified group. Evaluation indicated the team became the most important variable with little consideration given to the rest of the organization, resulting in the whole organization being severely crippled and having to be rebuilt.…

The Southeastern Minority Trainer of Trainers program provides leadership training in three phases to African American community leaders in five southern states. Findings of little leadership change in Phase 1 and Phase 2 survey evaluations for three states were in contrast to results of focus groups at the conclusion of Phase 2 capstone…

In response to perceived need, the University of Pretoria (South Africa) implemented a stress management program for students using relaxation and visualization techniques and emphasizing development of study skills. Case studies of six participants in 1986 found both quantitative and qualitative improvement in all stress management areas except…

Presents results from a study investigating the effects of professional training on teachers' use of observations to assess elementary students. Describes the training program and its focus on professional empowerment, strategy development for observation-based assessment, and learning the value of peer support. Reports that participants'…

This commentary on "Natural Supports in the Workplace: The Jury Is Still Out" (Test and Wood), discusses existing research on the effectiveness of natural supports. Describes job development and training approaches that facilitate natural supports and how supports can be responsive to the changing needs of supported employees and…

A 2-year British project aimed to foster greater understanding and skills in democratic education among lecturers and students at the School of Education, The Gambia College (Gambia). Project workshops were very well received and appeared to affect participant attitudes but had widely varying impacts on classroom behaviors and school culture. The…

Presents a theoretical discussion of evaluation research and the need for gathering data to support the decision-making process concerned with training program performance. Guidelines for conducting evaluation research are discussed, the participants involved with successful implementation are described, and data gathering methods are explained.…

Examines programs in Montreal, Canada, that offer microcomputing training--traditional private courses as well as an experimental, neighborhood-oriented "popular laboratory." Finds that both are used by men to advance their careers but that women use them to catch up and survive economically in a transformed workplace. (SR)

This study examined the effectiveness of a Positive Talk curriculum in promoting specific conversational social skills of nine incarcerated female adolescent juvenile delinquents. Sequential application of a multiple baseline across groups design demonstrated that the training was successful in promoting the participants' social skills.…

Discusses the contexts where virtual reality (VR) training environments might be appropriate; examines the advantages and disadvantages of VR as a training technology; and presents a case study of a VR training environment used at the NASA Johnson Space Center in preparation for the repair of the Hubble Space Telescope. (AEF)

A University of Tulsa project to improve campus leadership development focused on encouraging communication among nonacademic staff. From this experience came valuable proposals for institutional change, but the process itself was even more significant, empowering employees to accept a voice in campus governance. Some frustration has also…

This study identified easily available nonprofessional resources for screening and identifying individuals with disabilities in India's rural areas, evaluated the efficacy of the resources, and identified community resources to facilitate long-term social self-management of individuals with disabilities. National Service Scheme volunteers from two…

A British program for multicultural librarian training aims to develop understanding of Europe's cultural and ethnic diversity, historical roots of racism, and political and institutional structures that sustain racist attitudes and practices and to equip librarians to provide services to all patrons in ways not supporting discrimination. (MSE)

Reviews major research conducted between 1984 and 1989 on test anxiety among college, concluding that test anxiety may result from long-term memory problems. Explores techniques for reducing test anxiety, assessing the relative validity of each. Proposes a holistic approach to reducing test anxiety that addresses cognitive and emotional…