This study examined the effectiveness of a new skills training program designed to increase nurse aides' knowledge of behavior management. The training program, designed as five 90-minute group learning modules, was implemented in two Western Pennsylvania nursing homes over a 5-month period. Topics covered within the training program included…

A description is given of a staff development program designed to bridge the gap between regular teachers and teachers of gifted children. The program is based on the following concepts: (1) teachers must be provided with practical ideas that can be put into place immediately in the classroom; (2) teachers must feel ownership of their own…

Offered in this paper are guidelines and procedures to follow for introducing a newspaper-in-education program in the schools. Included are outlines and activities for idea presentation and staff development, suggestions for use of the newspaper in a scavenger hunt, and newspaper workshop ideas. Also included are activity sheets for use in…

An overview is presented of the beginning teacher program in the Frederick County (Maryland) schools. The focus of the program is on three concerns: (1) the problems of beginning teachers as perceived by themselves and others; (2) the kinds of support efforts that presently exist; and (3) implications for the future development of support programs…

The manual describes the Focus Expanded Placement Process, an approach to implementing training programs in sheltered work centers. Trainers are offered solutions to common problems, with sections on the following topics: breaking down initial resistance to training; individualizing training; creating a learning atmosphere; making training…

A survey of 800 public school educators in New Hampshire revealed inconsistencies between staff development goals and practices. While teachers and administrators agreed on program goals, they disagreed on how effectively staff development projects meet individual needs. Differences between inservice activities and staff development activities…

As one means of serving their clients, Ginn and Co. made a commitment in the early 1980's to provide inservice workshops for teachers that more closely related to customer needs. The vehicle for assessing these needs and ultimately designing appropriate inservice activities is Stages of Concern about the Innovation (SoC), one of the diagnostic…

A report is given of a major study on effective staff development and its role in school improvement efforts. A review of research literature identified key process variables that foster effective staff development activities within successful school or district change efforts. Questions guiding the review of research included: (1) What processes…

A model for staff development called "Staff Development/Organizational Development" (Wood/Thompson/Russell, 1981) describes a process for designing inservice that is systematic and comprehensive. The model was developed through an analysis and synthesis of the literature and research related to staff development. This paper briefly describes the…

Several tools exist that school districts can use to help solve current or potential problems in compensatory programs. The school district should begin by conducting (1) a study to determine the extent to which students are served by multiple compensatory programs, (2) on-site observations of the programs, and (3) a review of the curriculum and…

In response to the expressed need for staff development and improved communication in a college, a 2-year program series was developed. The sessions included: valuing each other; supporting each other; motivation; how to get things done; decision making; and communicating student responsibility. The major focus of the sessions was on attendees…

This document provides information about five adult basic education (ABE) staff development programs that illustrate the use of the principles identified in a research report. (The 70 principles and 39 corresponding techniques relate to planning and conducting training for ABE teachers and other staff.) Each of these staff development projects…

Ten separate articles reviewing the training programs operated by 10 corporations and agencies are collected in this booklet. The articles describe the programs and assess their implications for teacher education. An introduction and a summary of the implications complete the document. The titles and authors of the articles are "Introduction:…

This paper looks at the ways in which the role of the teacher is expanding in schools across the country. The report also discusses the reasons behind such changes in the roles and responsibilities assigned to teachers and describes places where teachers are actually carrying out these expanded roles. The knowledge base which answers the question…

The author discusses improvement in quality of special education through the use of the individualized education program (IEP) as a placement, instructional, and planning tool. Conditions necessary for using the IEP effectively are listed. Implementation of the IEP as placement, instructional, and planning tools is noted to depend on four…