A three-year program at Bethel College (Minnesota) has introduced faculty to various models of college student development, including the reflective judgment model of intellectual development, and their instructional applications. Knowledge of student development, now common to faculty and staff, has had a profound impact on teaching, learning,…

For the past 18 months, a middle school in Bowie, Maryland, has been enthusiastically committed to change. Teachers have become catalysts, realizing they possessed the skills and abilities to remedy schooling problems. They confronted school failure through school-based management, self-actualizing activities, staff development, and professional…

This article describes a systematic program that special education teachers can use to teach instructional aides and peer tutors to use effective teaching practices. The article specifically focuses on delivering appropriate instructional commands, providing specific praise, and using appropriate error correction procedures. (JDD)

Describes a staff development program in "action research" in which teachers and administrators investigated how to use reading/writing strategies to improve the learning of at-risk students in the regular classroom setting. Describes a qualitative study of the participants. Describes and compares four action researchers. (RS)

Argues that the California History Social Science Framework brings challenges to elementary teachers. Reviews five of these challenges and recommends solutions. Contends that staff development is the key to successful implementation of the Framework. (CFR)

Outlines some of the ways urban conditions affect urban schools and the implications for urban focused staff development. It is argued that these conditions limit the effectiveness of traditional models and approaches to staff development, requiring staff developers to include in their focus broad, systematic changes. (GLR)

Distinguishes between training and facilitation, examines the belief system of a facilitator, and shares a process for moving from the familiar mind-set of the trainer to the zen (the practice of seeking the truth) of facilitation. (GLR)

Explains how the role of staff developer is shifting from setting the agenda for professional growth to helping individuals and schools set their own agenda, advising them on how to carry out their plans, and encouraging them to move forward. (GLR)

Presents results from a two-year study that evaluated an instruction staff development project in the Grand Rapids (Michigan) Public Schools. Findings are presented from classroom observations, teacher interviews, and student tests. The study reveals teacher improvement in their instructional decision making resulting in positive changes in…

Discusses the roles and responsibilities of teacher leaders who help other teachers implement new curricula, noting the perceptions of teachers and administrators regarding teacher leaders. Teacher leaders provide building-level staff development plus individual support. The article looks at changing teacher roles, then presents six elements of…

Examines the Total Quality Management (TQM) activities at a federal government agency (i.e., the Defense Fuel Supply Center) using the following criteria established by the Federal Quality Institute: top management leadership and support; strategic quality planning; customer focus; training and recognition; employee empowerment and teamwork; and…

A peer coaching program in Georgia involved 22 elementary teachers as participants in professional development to stimulate their cognitive development. Teachers learned the peer coaching process, then participated in four coaching cycles. The program raised their conceptual levels, reduced teacher isolation, and developed more positive attitudes…

Describes a five-week summer program for elementary teachers designed to develop content knowledge in physics through immersion in the subject and cooperative learning. Teachers indicated they changed their science teaching orientation toward process and content and increased their awareness of the power of demonstrations and student-generated…

Study synthesized the practical wisdom of 25 staff developers nationwide who worked with high school teachers in the area of thinking to determine whether they had an informal knowledge base. Though they offered diverse perspectives, they agreed on several key goals, activities, and organizational changes. (SM)

The article describes how the use of collaborative consultation as a problem-solving process can be used in various service delivery options for educating mildly handicapped and at-risk students. Critical considerations (staff development, planning/problem-solving options, scheduling/time to consult) are identified. (DB)