Two veteran staff developers explore the challenges and lessons learned as they served as volunteer change facilitators on the school improvement teams in their children's schools. The article examines why they became involved, what they hoped to accomplish, what obstacles they encountered, what they accomplished, and what they learned. (SM)

The goals of greater involvement of teachers in their own staff development mirror those of quality adult education. If the further development of teachers as self-directed learners is facilitated by giving them both the time to make the transition to such methods and a chance to plan and implement professional-development projects, both teachers…

To create and maintain a high-quality home visiting program, administrators need to consider a range of issues including the skills and qualities of home visitors; the preservice and inservice training needs of home visitors; the supervision and support that home visitors need; and the implications of stressful working conditions for home…

Explores issues for school districts to consider in planning for staff development and technology, reviews research on the implementation of technology in schools, and offers specific recommendations for districtwide staff development programs. Recommendations include those for staff development and developing model sites for educators to evaluate…

Reviews the Donlevy template of four perspectives (technological, psychological, ideological, and sociological) in the field of adult education and examines in greater detail the literature authored from a technological perspective. Highlights include adult basic education; staff training and development; continuing education; human resource…

Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) brings medical and scientific skills to the documentation and prevention of violations of international human rights laws--a mission that can drain energy from staff. Project Adventure worked with PHR to provide adventure activities and team training for personal renewal and organizational development. Includes a…

Provides selected resources in Catholic social teaching for elementary and secondary education. Lists publications and activities for staff development and classroom materials. (YKH)

Discusses the significant growth in the number of adults with disabilities pursing postsecondary education, the professionalization of postsecondary disability services, the changes in services available to students with disabilities in postsecondary education, and suggestions to improve personnel preparation related to the transition to…

Discusses school districts' technology plans and the need to look beyond funding for hardware to address more pertinent issues such as integrating technology use into subject and grade-level proficiencies, staff-development programs for technology, technical support, considering technology proficiencies when evaluating teachers, and restructuring…

A study investigated the nature and characteristics of 68 staff working in employment services for people with a disability in New South Wales, Australia. Results indicate higher than usual staff turnover and that 53% had no previous professional experience working with people with a disability. Training needs are emphasized. (CR)

Describes a regional collaborative designed to help high schools develop the capacity to implement sustainable reforms, explaining the two project phases: skill-building workshops and local implementation plans. Site teams of teachers, administrators, and community members participated. Researchers collected participants' feedback and made four…

Standards are important within school improvement. Today's issue has moved beyond setting standards to knowing what to do with them. Measurement is the most useful part of the exercise. This paper describes standards and their measurement, explains constructive comparisons, presents an imperative for U.S. schools, and notes the importance of…

Describes four library retreats held by the Bowling Green State University library staff from 1995 to 1998. The retreats reflect changes in library work and management theory that have occurred. The importance of technology to library work is recognized, but there is also a growing realization of the importance of developing a flexible staff…

States that peer-group meetings for Virginia Community College System classified employees are promising avenues for professional development in the VCCS. Describes the development and successful outcomes of four "drive-in" conferences held for secretaries to division chairs and academic directors. Emphasizes the need for continuing…

Discusses methods for training camp counselors in safety standards. Safety awareness and camp wellness should be introduced during staff interviews. During precamp training, staff should complete a test in OSHA requirements, followed by role playing to expand staff's knowledge in each OSHA safety and health area. First aid training, fire safety,…