Describes a staff development project to sensitize job service counselors to the needs and employment problems of older rural jobseekers and to develop a model in-service project. Counselor response to the program was positive. Applicant surveys showed older rural job seekers generally lack good job-seeking skills. (JAC)

This article synthesizes research on teacher effectiveness, school effectiveness, and organizational change and interprets what the findings imply for staff development in the schools. Nine research-based themes for staff development efforts are outlined. (PP)

Methods staff developers used to improve the reading program at a Greenwich, Connecticut, elementary school are discussed. The entire staff of the school was involved in developing the new reading program, which focused on increasing teachers' expectations of student learning, use of diagnostic teaching, and other techniques. (PP)

This article explains how a year-long, district-wide staff development program, which focused on developing teachers' critical thinking skills, was carried out. The program was planned and directed by specially-trained local teachers who familiarized their colleagues with Benjamin S. Bloom's Taxonomy of Educational Objectives. (PP)

Alaska has mounted an intensive statewide staff development effort to help teachers and administrators use research-based practices. Leadership teams from each school, with assistance from the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory, develop improvement plans and implementation strategies. Administrators, teachers, and school board members…

Factors to be incorporated into school district policy as a way of improving pedagogical approaches are addressed by a former U.S. Commissioner of Education. Focus is on in-service training or staff development, with recommendations for states, school systems, and schools themselves. (LB)

Louisiana's Educational Employees' Professional Improvement Program (PIP) is described. The voluntary statewide program features: (1) use of individual professional development plans submitted by school staff participants; (2) a combination of academic work, inservice training, workshops, and conferences over a five-year period; and (3) salary…

Suggests that revitalization of child welfare training is more complex than development of better training curriculum and materials. Reviews factors affecting training and questions the overall concept of child welfare training centers. If child welfare careers become more attractive, training programs will revitalize themselves. (JAC)

The manner in which coaches are hired affects their professional attitudes toward both their teaching and coaching roles. Considerations in the hiring process should include: (1) a philosophy of the school, community, and the physical education and athletic programs; (2) written job descriptions, reviews of candidates, and conditions of…

Assessed the viability of a modified microtraining approach to paraprofessional development using programed manuals and models. Therapeutic workers were randomly assigned to a model group, no-model group, and a control group. Covariance analyses indicated that training groups emitted fewer closed inquiries and had a higher interview empathy…

After providing background on the legislative bases for tribally controlled community colleges, describes the history, organizational structure, educational objectives, and curriculum of Nebraska Indian Community College (NICC). Offers a rationale for on-reservation education. Discusses NICC's major problems and needs in financial support, staff…

Project AIM/LOFT (Accommodative Instructional Management/Learning Opportunities for Teachers) is a staff development training program that uses special instructional materials. The five-part staff development project includes: (1) intensive competency-based training; (2) in-class follow-up training; (3) action labs; (4) training in team dynamics;…

A definition of staff development/inservice education is given. Problem areas concerning the inservice education activities of professional organizations include: (1) the balance of political influences on inservice education; (2) a desire for control of inservice education on the part of teachers instead of collaboration; and (3) an increasing…

Discusses reasons why library media specialists are not actively involved in the instructional development process and offers several suggestions for improving future library media center programs. Seven references are cited. (CHC)

This article focuses on one element of staff development, and applies to classroom observation an interactive process between staff developer and teacher that leads to a better understanding and acceptance of individual teaching styles. The emphasis is on professional growth rather than on institutional regulation. (Author/KC)