Examines problems with archives and records management in Africa. Highlights include a lack of resources; poor management; inappropriate staff and inappropriate training; lack of effective tools and techniques; and suggested solutions, including support from top management, a change in archivists' attitudes, better staff selection and training,…

A central concern of Joseph Milner's February 1991 "Kappan" article critiquing the North Carolina Teacher Performance Assessment Instrument is that teacher evaluation will drive teaching. He errs in confusing essential skills with basic skills, ignoring all teacher evaluation's purposes except instructional improvement, and claiming the…

According to a study of 20 outstanding principals, administrators valued as instructional leaders value their role as staff developers, view their key function as facilitator, and are driven by a clear vision for the school. These principals view themselves as role models for continual growth, are self-assured, and open to change. (eight…

Since teachers at Frontier Central High School in Hamburg, New York, began using a learning styles approach, the number of special education students earning regular high school diplomas has grown dramatically. The secret of their success is a well-researched, faculty-developed curriculum that considers the needs and strengths of individual…

Adult learners bring a greater background of life experiences to the learning situation; may experience diminished learning rates, if not ability; and approach learning from personal or professional needs, not compulsion. Effective adult learning requires time for reflection and for application and manipulation of ideas. Principals dealing with…

Education requires continuing renewal of members to retain and increase its rigor and artistry. The article examines hallmarks that demonstrate that educators meet the criteria necessary and provide justification for ongoing professional development. Programs must focus on professional competence to guarantee students a safe, stimulating,…

Provides examples of practices utilized by school-based family support programs, explaining how family support programs work to ready children for school. Considerations for staffing family support programs are examined, including what type of staff to hire, components of a quality workplace, and types of staff development necessary. (SM)

In fall 1987, two California school districts formed partnership that received state grant to research and evaluate successful practices for integrating technology into K-12 curriculum. Planning for technology means beginning with a small group of credible, non-"techie" teachers; involving them with all facets of the plan, including…

Discusses potential challenges that community colleges will face from for-profit educational providers. Argues that college educators must accept that they are involved in the business of higher education and should carefully plan the development of both personnel and institutional infrastructure accordingly. (JDI)

Providing continuous, personalized, high-quality staff development programs fosters the delivery of effective, comprehensive services to Head Start children and families. This article suggests directors follow the following staff development principles: draft a philosophy; define staff development; assess staff development needs; focus on the…

The Appalachia Educational Laboratory designed and implemented a long-term staff development program to increase and sustain teacher knowledge of and use of classroom questioning techniques to produce higher levels of student learning. Evaluations from 41 middle and secondary schools establishing the effectiveness of this program are reported .…

Creativity exercises, or creater-cizes, can help camp staff generate ideas and solve problems. Common techniques are brainstorming, story-boarding, analogies and metaphors, association and free association, spinning, and lists. Defines and gives examples of each technique. (SAS)

Schools need staff-development programs focused on teaching children to read. Students must read effectively by the end of third grade. The Success for All curriculum is effective, is transportable, focuses on basic literacy, uses formative assessment, and provides continuous, onsite assistance and support to schools. (MLH)

Considers whether laptop and handheld computers will be able to replace printed textbooks in classrooms. Topics cover benefits of classroom computers, including the need for computer literacy; computer costs, including service contracts, theft, and the need for staff development; the problems with dated textbooks; publishers' concerns; and…

In a study of 906 employed graduate students, women reported less employer support for their studies, less tuition assistance, and less job training. However, women generally had been employed a shorter time, worked fewer hours, and worked in smaller organizations. (SK)