Ensuring an informed and effective dementia workforce is of international concern; however, there remains limited understanding of how this can be achieved. This review aimed to identify features of effective dementia educational programs. Critical interpretive synthesis underpinned by Kirkpatrick's return on investment model was applied. One…

With nearly a million paraprofessionals working in elementary and secondary schools (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2013), ensuring they are well prepared and supported is essential to their and their students' success. Paraprofessionals work closely with classroom teachers to support students from special populations and are typically supervised by…

This article details the findings of research into the academic teaching staff experience of peer observation of their teaching practice. Peer observation is commonly used as a tool to enhance a teacher's continuing professional development. Research participants acknowledged its ability to help develop their teaching practice, but they also…

The position of assistant principal has existed since the mid-1920s. Although the assistant principal's role has evolved, no consensus exists as to its defined nature. Traditionally, assistant principals spent most of their time working on student discipline, attendance, and various administrative/ non-educational duties. This study seeks to…

Ten rural elementary schoolteachers participated in two weekends of intensive seminars focused on effective instruction research findings. All teachers were observed three times, both before and after the seminars, and half were given feedback. Results on teacher implementation of teaching behaviors from the seminar are presented. (MT)

Purpose: Leadership is a key commodity in twenty-first century organizations. This is especially true for school organizations. This paper aims to respond to six questions about head teachers and leadership of basic schools. Design/methodology/approach: Head teachers responded to survey items about proficiencies required for effective leadership…

We welcome you to the International Conference on Education and New Developments 2014, taking place in Madrid, Spain, from 28 to 30 of June, 2014. Education, as an important right in our contemporary world, began since we exist. Knowledge and skills were passed by adults to the young, and cultures began to extend their experiences through various…

Criticizes Madeline Hunter's teaching model emphasizing a perceived mechanistic and simplistic approach. Also stresses the ways the author feels the model negates the teaching of thinking skills. Attacks the scientific approach of Hunter's model, its philosophic perspective, and the training process. (MD)

This practice-oriented book brings together research and evaluation approaches and supporting case studies from educational researchers and teachers. The emphasis is on changing practice in higher education and the research that underpins desirable development. Following an introduction, chapter 1 presents Educational Development Changing Practice…

This issue contains several articles synthesizing research on effective schools conducted by the Mid-continent Regional Educational Laboratory (McREL). Six "folios," or handouts, intended for dissemination to teachers, review the research and make specific suggestions for teachers on: (1) beginning the school year; (2) time management; (3)…

A staff development program that conceptualizes the teacher as "executive," or manager of time factors, curriculum, and instruction would help teachers to deal with the complexities inherent in the modern elementary school classroom. (CJ)

This paper describes an instructional improvement approach which aims to assist educational systems to enhance their capabilities to plan and implement effective improvements in their basic skills programs, and illustrates how research on implementation and dissemination is used in the design and development of the approach. Four elements of the…

A program designed to adapt educational research findings to practical classroom use is described. A variety of options for adapting research through inservice education are described. They include formal university courses after school, released time programs, one to one and small group consultations, independent study, graduate research theses,…

This article develops two perspectives on the Regular Education Initiative, the first drawing on two decades of research and practice to document and discuss understandings about school improvement. The second draws on the current movement to restructure schools. A reformist partnership between classroom teachers and special education is proposed.…

Progress toward alternative approaches to research on teaching and teacher development is reviewed. The researcher-teacher relationship is the focus in discussing collaboration in partnership research. Organizing frameworks for the discussion are the authors' own research, a matrix of phases of research activity, and a matrix of issues in teacher…