Final of a six part series discusses the idea that the reputation and credibility of training and development is much lower outside the training community than within it. Urges organizational trainers and developers to prove cost effective contributions to their organizations. (LAS)

Seminar report and recommendations of the Ontario Society for Training and Development's Professional Development Committee on competencies needed by professional training and development personnel, including checklists of skills and abilities in the various competency areas. (MF)

Presented in the third and final article in a series are strategies for personal survival in chaotic and stressful environments such as those encountered by staff working in hearing and speech agencies. (IM)

A survey of community-based organizations in Malaysia determined that there was strong support for public library sponsored community information services (CIS). This article examines CIS activity in Malaysia; analyzes the survey findings; and proposes a program of action for developing a prototype CIS model and CIS guidelines and designing a…

Describes how to use knowledge about adult learners and about different learning styles (environmentally, emotionally, sociologically, and physiologically) when planning and implementing staff development. (SR)

Discusses the importance of teaching communication skills to individuals with severe disabilities and reviews the development and evaluation of Developing Communicative Interactions, a data-based staff training program that supports the development of a prescribed set of interaction skills by interacting communication partners. (Author/CR)

Describes a University of Alabama program that trained a cadre of elementary teachers to use various manipulatives in their daily mathematics programs. These teachers received a set of manipulatives to share with others and were expected to conduct inservice programs for colleagues. The program increased use of manipulative materials and revealed…

Successful human resource strategic planning at colleges and universities requires that: (1) outcomes contribute to the bottom line; (2) the plan is linked to the institution's long-term strategy; and (3) the plan is simple to understand and follow. Staff retreats are essential and should involve environmental analysis, departmental analysis,…

The role of instructional coach is being piloted in four schools within the Department of Defense Dependents Schools system. One teacher from each school is appointed as an instructional coach for teachers in the building to provide a range of services leading to improved instruction and student achievement. This collegial/instructional coaching…

Many participant-satisfaction evaluation forms used in staff development programs are ritualistic contrivances that are poorly designed and administered. This article describes five rules for generating evaluation forms based on clarity, a decision focus, brevity, anonymity, and respondents' opportunity to make additional suggestions. Careful…

Within 30 years, European American people will be the minority population in the United States. Yet, cultural incompetency is pervasive in today's society. The camping and outdoor education professions must pay as much attention to cultural concerns as to technical aspects of their work. Safe places for all can be created by being knowledgeable…

Describes several strategies California principals can use to make effective use of thematic assessment data to improve reading instruction, guide staff training in the use of assessment data for instructional decision-making, and establish schoolwide norms for aligning assessment data with instructional practices. (PKP)

Contends that creation of a space where all faculty and staff can come together and learn is an important goal for professional development. Describes the integrated training efforts at the College of Dupage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, which resulted in a teaching and learning center providing development opportunities for all employees. (AUTH/NB)