A recently completed study of staff development provides the basis for an overview of the staff development process as observed in 16 districts and a description of the roles central office administrators usually assume. The staff development process includes needs assessment and program planning, delivery, and evaluation. While the vast majority of staff development programs are directed to teachers, they are sometimes also provided for administrators, principals, counselors, or community members. Administrators generally adopt the role of decisionmaker, trainer, or facilitator. The roles are not mutually exclusive, and some administrators fill all three. There is a fourth role that administrators could assume--that of participant. Lack of direct participation by central office administrators perpetuates conditions detrimental to effective staff development: it encourages administrators to view staff development as remediation, and it allows administrators to absolve themselves of responsibility for what goes on in the classroom. (Author/WD)