The Montgomery County, Maryland school district has a five-year plan to develop and install revised instructional systems in four major subjects. The components of the instructional system are: performance objectives for pupils, appropriate student placement based on performance, instructional guides for teachers, assessment tasks, and pupil progress reports for teachers and principals. A comprehensive training program to equip both the professional and support staff to implement the competency based program involved the determination of training needs, design and delivery of training, design evaluation, and implications for change or study. The assessment of training needs for teachers was made through analyses of teachers' needs, experiences, observations, and suggestions. The training program resulting from the assessment included: (1) staff orientation to the philosophy and nature of the new instructional program and the training program; (2) instruction of teachers and principals about placement tests, curriculum guides, reports, and assessments; (3) orientation of aides to their roles in the assessment process; (4) provision of activities to help teachers use the components of the instructional plan; (5) provision of activities to help principals use reports in program management; (6) demonstration of exemplary classroom management and instructional practices; and (7) assistance in helping participants to transfer their knowledge of components to application on the job. An evaluation of the overall design, actual training activities, and materials was conducted to secure information and data for further program improvement. The most significant aspect of the effort is the clear recognition and acceptance of formal training as a critical step in the program's implementation. Without such training support for staff, efforts to improve learning opportunities through new curricular designs are likely to fail. (CJ)