In response to a need to develop services for poorly-served or unserved potential clients and to provide staff development, Pepperdine University (California) created a program of specialized service provision, using individual staff contacts to provide regular communication and planning assistance to clients. Program design, staff training, and…

Israeli researcher at an environmental field school created a different kind of research report, turning an evaluation report into a textbook of didactics and adapting it for use in personnel training and inservice education without impairing its essential nature as an evaluation study. (SM)

Reports on a postconference workshop on virtual libraries that was presented at the third annual Computers in Libraries Canada Conference. Highlights include networks; technological change; administrative issues, including organizational structure, staff training, strategic planning, and financial resources; a case study of the University of…

Includes "Introduction" (McCaffery, Edmond-Smith); "Celebrating Achievements" (Hancock); "Building for Future" (Coleman); "Women in Community" (Patel); "Education/Training for Older Women" (Cooper, Kennedy); "Women with Disabilities" (Goddard); "Open/Distance Learning"…

This article reviews research examining expanding roles of paraprofessionals in special education; their efficacy, based on student outcomes and educators' perceptions; empirical bases for training; and training models. Conclusions are drawn concerning the expanded role of paraprofessionals, lack of efficacy data, and lack of systematic training.…

Collaboration between a supervisor and a teacher of nine first and second graders with hearing loss is recounted. Discussion includes reconsideration of classroom setup, expansion of the reading program to include more guided reading, documentation of student progress, more guided writing, and more shared decision making. (DB)

Outlines the need for redefining the roles of library staff workers and the organizational structures that affect job satisfaction, recruitment, and productivity. Calls for a transition to a participative approach to management, creating the more humane work environment needed for libraries to survive in a technological and information-based…

One of five articles on professional development schools in this theme issue. Naturalistic research methods were used to identify the characteristics that supported changes in professional development initiatives, restructuring, and teaching and learning in Crescentview School (Michigan), a multicultural, multilingual, elementary professional…

This article argues that a sound performance evaluation system benefits the employee, supervisor, and organization by providing a written record of efforts, by motivating employees, and by maximizing employee growth potential. It proposes that such performance evaluations are compatible with the Total Quality Management approach. Principles of…

Because staff development is the most important factor in advancing the middle school philosophy, administrators should take special care to make inservice activities meaningful. In a recent informal survey, 58 middle school teachers with varying degrees of experience and expertise identified adolescent development, interdisciplinary teaming, and…

Argues that librarians should respond to the growing demand for medical information by expanding their role. The development of medical information reference, issues of accountability, legal responsibility, and user characteristics are discussed. Seven steps toward accountability, including in-depth reference interviewing, referral, training, and…

Because of the lack of empirical findings about inclusion of students with emotional/behavioral disorders in regular education settings, this study obtained initial data including district level data regarding student placement; service provisions; personnel needs; impact on general education teachers; and student outcome data for one cohort of…

Describes a multifaceted evaluation of the Brandeis model of reference services, which included how the model was defined, direct observation of librarians, unobtrusive study, and a focus group project to gauge patron response. Results of the study and needed improvements are discussed. A sidebar article describes the Brandeis model. (22…

Introduction of microcomputer technology into Israeli elementary schools in the 1980s resulted in a need for national policy for teachers' education and support, guidelines for computer-assisted instruction and staff development, and planning for equipment budgets and standards. This paper focuses on issues of integration of educational…

Among 312 school districts nationwide, compared to other districts, rural districts had higher estimated percentages of at-risk students (both handicapped and nonhandicapped) and behavioral and community risk factors. The relationship of self-esteem to at-risk status is discussed. Recommendations are presented for policymakers and teacher…