Commends Mandeville and Rivers' article in the same "Educational Leadership" issue for demonstrating familiarity with the Hunter staff development model and acknowledging the importance of proper implementation strategies. Presents evidence showing that abbreviated training periods and insufficient coaching are to blame for the model's…

Describes New Jersey's Academy for the Advancement of Teaching and Management, a central, state-funded training center designed to improve students' education by sharpening teachers' and administrators' professional skills. The program's success depends on three critical qualities--relevance, consistency, and continuity. (MLH)

Rural teachers generally have a long-term commitment to teaching, personal ties with and credibility in the community, and a small work-place conducive to promoting necessary staff interaction. A cooperative staff development program is described that is based on the unique circumstances of rural schools. (JD)

Front-line service providers can be the origin of customer's perceptions about an institution, and these initial perceptions can color subsequent interactions. To improve customer service, institutions need to offer training and recognition for providers. Characteristics of effective service and providing effective training are discussed. (MLW)

Implemented multi-disciplinary program to assist nursing home staff in understanding the behavior of the mentally impaired and to develop effective intervention skills. Found curriculum to be effective in building knowledge and improving skills on the job. (Author/ABL)

Reviews development of competency-based standards for National Vocational Qualifications in purchasing as well as criticisms of the competency-based concept related to higher order skills, subjectivity, atomism, and imprecision. Argues that validity of qualifications lies in practitioner involvement in development; their value is in personnel…

A British study of teacher training and staff development needs concluded that there is an urgent need for training community education program coordinators; tutors working with adults with learning disabilities need a foundational training program; and providers should ensure that disability issues are addressed at all stages and levels of staff…

Audio seminars, or conference calls, have been used to facilitate reflective practice through collegial conversations for a group of teachers, administrators, and other practitioners from a seven-state region involved in a long-term staff development project. The article describes audio seminars and presents recommendations for successful…

Interviews, observations, and document analysis in three small to midsize manufacturing companies revealed considerable formal and informal human resource development activities that support the companies' unique market niche by developing knowledge, skills, and abilities; integrate employees into company work practices; and enhance quality of…

A further education college for adults used Britain's Investors in People program to improve staff development opportunities for part-time staff. The process necessitated balancing the tension between academic culture and the language of adult education on the one hand and the business/enterprise ethos of the IP program on the other. (SK)

Describes the use of video teletraining (VTT) for distance learning in the Department of Defense. Topics include planning and organizing the VTT facility, staff development, site facilitators, the necessity of protocol, instructional design and development strategies, student involvement and interactivity, and evaluation and assessment. (LRW)

The South Yorkshire Outdoor Pursuits Trust manages an unstaffed residential facility that is used as a base for outdoor activities by various youth groups and by social services and mental health providers. The Trust sponsors an annual three-day outdoor leadership training event for staff of statutory and voluntary agencies. (SV)

Uses focus groups, a questionnaire, and in-depth interviews to reveal conditions needed for teachers' professional development: time to meet, solve problems, and reflect on practice and exposure to other teachers' strategies. Notes unexpected differences between adult literacy and English language teachers. (SR)

From an intergenerational training program for caregivers of children and frail elderly emerged a model for making program decisions. The model clusters potential activities in five categories: recreation/leisure, education, health promotion, public service, and personal development. It has four levels of selection criteria: match activities to…

Using guided apprenticeships in cognitive and social development and action research, a nonformal education project focused on developing strategic thinking, team values, and internal locus of control in 20 South African industrial participants. Increased self-confidence, better communication/relationship skills, and a broader knowledge base were…