Describes use of the STAR (System Training for Accurate Reference) program at the Baltimore County Public Library to improve the interview skills of reference staff. The effectiveness of the program, staff training, performance evaluation, and effects of budget cuts are discussed. A sidebar summarizes STAR behaviors: open questions, verifying, and…

Approaches to the economics of training and personnel development are reviewed, and results from an empirical survey of 450 Swedish training managers are summarized with regard to competence as a production factor. Preconditions for an economics of competence include a long-range perspective and combining qualitative and quantitative variables.…

Staff members (n=152) assigned to 76 clients with moderate to severe mental retardation in Norway received training in behaviorally oriented treatment and assessment. Results did not support the hypothesis that training in treatment and assessment would produce greater improvement in client behavior than would training in treatment alone.…

Improving the leadership skills of the school business manager will promote organizational structure, norms, and policies. A district staff-development program in consensus skills can simultaneously address problems and develop skills. (MLF)

Discusses four challenges in providing staff development in rural schools. Distance education links using audiographics, sharing responsibilities between the university and local schools to promote ownership of training, and using school-based teams or grade-level units for increasing collaboration among staff are described. (Contains seven…

Presents a structured, integrated continuing education program for university science and engineering reference librarians. Program components, including departmental tours, reference collection tutoring sessions, extensive subject-specific projects, and subject-related, hands-on exercises, are described. Program evaluation results are presented,…

Indiana University has been working with several rural school corporations to provide staff development to special and general education personnel using distance education and computer-based audiographics. Successful components of the training programs are on-site coordinators, immediate application to the classroom setting, and collaboration…

A regional survey of 142 supported employment program managers and 519 direct service personnel found most of the personnel are female, young, highly educated, minimally paid, and with basic knowledge of supported employment philosophy, management, and implementation strategies. A need for technical assistance to refine skills was identified.…

A management program was implemented to increase the training activities and decrease nonwork behavior of eight direct-care staff in a facility for individuals with mental retardation. Improvements were maintained during a 43-week period, staff acceptability measures were positive, and beneficial changes occurred in clients. (JDD)

An urban Louisiana school system successfully graduated 23 adult dropouts, awarding them real high school diplomas, thanks to the collaborative efforts of various social service agencies, intensive staff development, and sensitivity to students' economic and affective needs. Although schools cannot solve all the personal problems confronting the…

Reports on a study of 24 Australian secondary teachers before and after an inservice program on the whole-school approach to discipline. Finds that higher principled teachers provided more perspective and guidance than those in the low moral judgment group. Recommends more joint decision making by teachers in developing a school's discipline…

Describes the methods and results of a major research effort which sought to identify and verify dimensions of educational leadership. Staff development implications are explored that could improve the effectiveness of educational leaders. (GLR)

School districts experiencing student transportation problems along with limited staff ability and time, and extremely sensitive issues, can benefit from a transportation consultant. A pupil transportation consultant can assist districts in management studies, staff development, and operations. (MLF)

Describes the long-range efforts to develop a comprehensive, multitiered multicultural education program in the Columbus (Ohio) Public School District. The article includes discussions on the philosophical framework underlying the program, staff development, curriculum changes, program planning and evaluation, course descriptions, and program…

Describes an Italian project designed to prepare elementary teachers to teach science by helping them understand basic physics concepts and realize the importance of considering students' conceptions in the teaching process. A practicum-based strategy, requiring that teachers carry out experimental activities designed for students is recommended.…