Educators recognize the importance of staff development but funding such programs can be problematic. Securing school district commitment for professional growth opportunities depends on the following factors: (1) does the program address a recognized need? (2) is the program acceptable and comfortable? and (3) is it the right time to propose the…

Describes California's integrative approach to curricular planning and staff development. Under the state's new vision of excellence, all students experience a common core curriculum providing a solid academic background and promoting literacy in the various disciplines. Content and skill development go hand in hand. Includes four references. (MLH)

Heart disease risk factors appear in early childhood, making health education vital to prevent the development of cardiopulmonary disease. The Heart Smart Program, a model health education program, is designed to meet this objective. The development, implementation, and evaluation of a school staff development model are described. (JL)

Lists steps to increase camp safety, including learning regulations, having written policies, maintaining records, providing staff training, and providing supervision for activities. Also mentions maintaining equipment during camp and during the off-season, understanding types of risks, learning about insurance, and rewarding safety. (SKW)

Offers tips for teaching technical and business writing to corporate employees, including (1) using writing samples from the host organization, (2) keeping technical requirements simple, and (3) teaching in clearly stated blocks of time. (JC)

Concern for students with eating disorders and concern for the environment served as the catalyst for the development of a procedure for responding to eating disorders. The procedure, which relies heavily on residence hall staff, is presented here, with emphasis on training, prevention, and issues in implementation. (Author)

Borrowing from Madeline Hunter, school districts should define staff development as school- or district-wide efforts to improve the quality of teacher decision-making. This article outlines a six-step process (including needs assessment, brainstorming, strategic plannning, communicating plans, coaching for effectiveness, and periodic monitoring)…

The Special Needs Action Program (Coventry, England) endeavors to support special needs students in regular primary and secondary schools by providing resource information, a variety of inservice courses, dissemination of materials, and advice and help. Early identification, teacher involvement, practical content, and staff support are major…

The mastery learning model called "Essentials, Correctives, and Enrichment" was adopted in the fall of 1982 in one elementary school in Goochland County, Virginia. The experiment has been expanded to all county elementary schools and is currently being implemented in the junior and senior high schools. (MT)

The author discusses a specific innovative partnership that meets the changing needs of employers, students, and educational institutions. Issues include executive education, recruitment activities in connection with graduates of area colleges, consulting and research projects, faculty and educational staff development, remediation, and general…

Responds to two articles in this "Educational Leadership" issue by Richard Salzer and by Lorrie A. Shepard and Mary Lee Smith that criticize overtesting and preoccupation with developmental differences in kindergarten-age children. Defends physical, sensory, and developmental assessment to help identify children's areas of strength and weakness.…

PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique) was applied to a federal project developing curriculum materials for the mentally retarded. A 34-step process lattice and PERT chart were useful for long-range planning, supervising the activity, providing accountability, and training new staff members. (Author/DB)

Research about classroom communication, classroom management, training, and staff development form the basis around which teachers can improve their practice. Staff development programs must be dynamic to support and stimulate this process. (CB)

Describes a new staff library for corrections personnel at a New York State facility. Attention is given to the grant that funded this library and the background information that helped to build a consensus among state employees, which demonstrated the need to establish this continuing education resource. (Author/CT)

Examines various personnel positions in the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church (the largest organized religion in Finland), the basic training of Church personnel (cantors, theologians, deacons, youth leaders, financial administrators, preschool teachers), personnel structure of the Church, and training in the Church itself (familiarization…