A study of beginning teachers (N=391) in North Dakota led to a group mentoring program to deal with the unique induction needs of new teachers in rural districts. (Author/IAH)

Argues for a prominent student affairs role in increasing the cultural competence of staff. Calls for further research by student affairs professionals to analyze staff development and preservice programs to determine the development of cultural competence. (TE)

Literature on the relation between class size and student achievement is reviewed, and policy alternatives are suggested. Class size reduction strategies, focusing on individual or small group tutoring, are proposed for primary and secondary instruction. Implementing these strategies requires ambitious staff development programs. (SLD)

Presents a systematic plan for developing a district-wide approach to computer based instruction (CBI) for local education agencies (LEAs). Topics discussed include establishing a computer committee to help with planning; identifying goals and objectives; implementation strategies; personnel; equipment purchases; courseware selection; staff…

Describes a two-year project sponsored by the California State Library that assisted local public libraries in improving their reference services. Project activities included the provision of basic reference materials to all libraries, training workshops in reference techniques for paraprofessional staff, and specialized workshops and reference…

Second-wave reform prescriptions generally lack a career development focus mindful of teachers' changing characteristics and needs over time. Grasping these developmental characteristics is essential to understanding veteran teachers' morale and performance problems and to implementing revitalization and school improvement efforts. Midcareer…

The mindscapes (views) of "mystics,""neats," and "scruffies" in relating to educational administration and professional practice resemble a "non-science,""applied science," and "craft-like science," respectively. Examined is the suggestion that current preparation and inservice programs for educational administrators could be wrong. (31…

Describes role of nurses in residential camp programs. Discusses ways camp administrators find and hire camp nurses. Emphasizes importance of communication between nurse and other staff for assessing campers' developmental needs and potential health problems. Discusses camping environment, health service needs, and campers' most common health…

Describes transdisciplinary (TD) team model as holistic approach for identifying and educating young migrant students with special needs. Describes differences between TD and multidisciplinary team models. Describes half-day TD assessment of child. Assesses TD approach regarding student needs, staff training, ongoing staff development, and child…

Statewide career ladder programs may be unable to match local needs. Alternative models, like the Professional Incentive Plan described in this article, should be provided for local school districts. A study of 170 Texas teachers suggests Texas' career ladder program goals (teacher motivation, career advancement) are not being realized. (IAH)

Through a questionnaire survey of 267 school districts, the actual practices of United States school districts identified as having outstanding staff development programs were compared with those of randomly-selected school districts. Discrepancies and similarities are discussed, along with support needs for instructional improvement. (SLD)

Describes Provo (Utah) School District's efforts to establish instructional leadership roles for its principals. To achieve instructional improvement goals, Provo principals are expected to provide leadership in four fundamental areas: staff development, curriculum review, clinical supervision, and evaluation and assessment. Includes four…

True educational reform is the creation of a renewed identity at the school and classroom level when teachers and students interact in new, more productive ways. This article describes California's educational reform movement, presents evidence of successful change, and identifies where continued work needs to be done. (TE)

A survey of campus publications directors and designers in a variety of institutions concerning the transition to computerized publication design revealed some common problems regarding staff relations, training needs and considerations, retention of some traditional methods, and cost effectiveness. Suggestions for minimizing them are made. (MSE)

The article examines four basic elements of staff development needed to manage the changes in educational systems today and in the future: multidimensional professional development for all staff, decentralized performance-based systems, understanding and implementing the change process, and the changing role of the staff developer. (SM)