Discusses the concepts, costs, and benefits of bulletin board services (BBSs) as a distance learning strategy for staff training and communication. The New York State Independent Living Bulletin Board System (NYS IL BBS) for caseworkers monitoring at-risk youth is described as an example of how to plan bulletin board content. (Contains six…

Early intervention, substantial parent involvement, effective instruction, and staff development that empowers teachers can improve the achievement of at-risk students. The task is to combine each of these components into a coherent whole by coordinating the efforts of the school, the family, and the community into a comprehensive set of…

Examines the relationship between supervision, staff development, and teacher evaluation, discussing why educators must strive to make connections among the three, identifying important misunderstandings about them, and describing the purposes of each process and the similarities, differences, and connections between them. Together, they can be…

Argues that training in the use of computer based retrieval systems fails to meet many of the needs of staff and end-user searchers in health sciences information and that, although structured training programs present several advantages, they are rarely implemented. It is recommended that a design process based on Needs-Objectives-Content-Method…

Reports on study of teachers in inservice program designed to adapt and modify curriculum unit on Jewish moral texts for their school. Describes factors that determined which parts of unit would be modified and which would be adopted as written. Found that most teachers used the materials to open students' minds to the inherent moral messages in…

Effects of a staff development program on the professional lives of four elementary school teachers were studied. The Teacher in Residence partnership of the University of Alabama brings experienced teachers to the college for terms as adjunct faculty, allowing them to clarify what they have known and recommit to teaching. (SLD)

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)

Explains the complexities of promoting school change and how they can be minimized through the effective use of facilitators. Six complexities of school change are examined based on the experiences of Georgia's League of Professional Schools. Also discussed is the question of who should facilitate. (GLR)

Examined the instructional reform process in 17 middle schools. Reforms included heterogeneous grouping, cooperative learning, active learning, and interdisciplinary instruction. All reforms relied on teachers' willingness to change daily instructional content or strategies. Heterogenous grouping and interdisciplinary instruction posed the…

Discusses the importance of values education programs in the public schools, with some emphasis on the program in the Baltimore County Public Schools. The article cites authorities from other school districts, higher education, and educational associations, noting the important role of staff development and community involvement. (SM)

Describes a staff development program for administrators. Interviews were conducted and administrative handbooks, professional development plans, and board of education policies were analyzed. Findings, among others, were principals viewed staff development and clearly defined procedures as essential; principals found little long-range staff…

For three years, Center for Problem-Based Learning at Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy has been developing innovative programs in various K-12 settings. Students meet an "ill-structured problem" (like thorium waste) before receiving instruction. Teachers act as coaches and tutors, probing findings, hypotheses, and conclusions;…

A structured coaching strategy was effectively used with three day-care teachers, resulting in (1) substantial increases in delivery of behavioral support of social interactions of children with developmental disabilities; and (2) marked increases in positive interactions of socially withdrawn children. Long-term maintenance effects were also…

Wisconsin's Multicultural Education Target Schools Project uses strategic planning to address major educational and social issues and determine school-based change. The project involves elementary and middle school educators with large African-American and Hispanic student populations. It develops self-esteem, raises achievement levels, promotes…

Explores the origins, characteristics, and objectives of peer coaching in faculty development, looking at its two basic forms (coaching led by experts and reciprocal coaching). The article presents theoretical concepts and proposes directions for future research, indicating points to consider when establishing a peer coaching program. (SM)