Discusses human resources maximization as a means for expanding employee selection criteria to include applicants' strengths and potential for growth, not just their history, then working to develop employees potential. Testing learning style as a means for recognizing potential and the relationship between testing and training are discussed. (KRN)

Reviews distance education organization, financing, programming, and staff development at Pennsylvania State University. Describes academic and business partnerships that were formed and international initiatives. (SK)

The Fort McMurray Catholic School District in Alberta, Canada, developed an evaluation model to address shortcomings in typical plans, including failure to nurture competent teachers, assist beginning teachers, challenge accomplished educators, assess and improve school leadership skills, enhance staff ownership of the process, and counsel…

The rising demand for administrative staff development is largely a product of external forces (political demands for reform). Many superintendents are exploring alternatives to meet the requirements of employee improvement. This article describes the efforts of three superintendents and a university professor to develop a meaningful database for…

Total Quality Management is not a fad. Human resource development must be aligned with the culture of continuous improvement to make it work. Changes may be necessary in hiring, promotion, and performance appraisal. (SK)

Offers nine suggestions to help program chairpersons plan successful programs for professional meetings: clearly understand the organization's purposes and objectives, choose an annual site, experiment with times, announce meetings well in advance, plan various formats, plan for long-term professional development, expect the unexpected, use local…

Presents guidelines for staff developers who wish to create and sustain changes in schools. The article explains why staff development must be reconceptualized, discusses the emerging systems roles for staff developers, and shares information gained from extensive experience in applying a reconceptualized model of staff development. (SM)

The job training system needs to emphasize the basic and functional skills; it needs competency standards and certifications; advanced training should be vouchered; individuals should be tracked over time; and staff development is critical. (JOW)

As Mississippi's experience shows, there are five necessary stages for staff development: preplanning (forming a committee), planning, implementation, evaluation, and maintenance. This article examines each phase, provides checklists, and highlights the principal's responsibility during each phase. (eight references) (MLH)

For staff development training to be most effective, planners must determine the nature of the staff development objective (imparting knowledge, changing attitudes, or developing skills) and use the appropriate type of training activity (presentations, demonstrations, discussions, case studies, role plays, or readings) to accomplish that…

This study evaluated the sign language skills of 17 adults with mental retardation living in community settings and their habilitation instructors. Results showed staff's sign language competence was only slightly better than that of the residents and was used minimally in interactions with the residents. (Author/DB)

This article examines critical staff development issues that must be addressed if cooperative learning is to produce quality implementation across classrooms. Staff development programs should consider teacher ownership and governance, teachers' levels of concern regarding education innovation, formats for training, relevance of ecological impact,…

Discusses the use of computers in educational programs for school-age children in out-of-school settings. Principles for organizing educational activities in which computers are used as tools are discussed; examples of community-based programs are described; and suggestions for funding and staff development are offered. (eight references) (LRW)

Describes a three-unit inservice training course on cognitive styles developed by a Pennsylvania school district and approved by the state's education department. Course learnings may be applied to lesson planning, journal-writing observations, peer-coaching experiences, student-teacher learning style differences, analysis of teaching/counseling…

Suggests that educators must broaden their field of vision and learn to see professional development as a means of cultivating and harvesting the rich knowledge already present in schools. Discusses David Perkins'"Pocket Model of Intelligence"; dialog; writing for publication; group writing; and technology. (RS)