A structure of interlocking contingencies was designed to train and support managers' provision of effective feedback to subordinates, peers, and superiors at a large state residential institution for children with developmental disabilities. The system included formal scheduling of feedback, reinforcement, and goal setting. Increased feedback…

Reports the results of a survey of 914 library employees in three states (Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin) without ALA-accredited MLS degrees. Discusses results in terms of gender, age and education; job experience; and job titles and wages. Concludes the library profession must identify the skills needed for library positions and develop professional…

Describes Nokomis/Mishomis Place, an assisted living home for elders of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. Discusses background on Native American elderly in the United States and Michigan, development of the home, services offered, culturally relevant environment and activities, funding, and problems related to facilities planning…

Examines the issues that language researchers may face when planning and executing research in facilities which are not traditionally or frequently involved in research with individuals who have language disorders. Addresses informed consent procedures, administrative approvals, staff education, and enlisting the help of staff speech-language…

Suggests areas to improve technology-based education for the 21st century. Discusses training in colleges and universities, training through staff development, restructuring with technology, allowing time for extending teachers' knowledge base, and obstacles to technology training. (AEF)

Discussion of ways to blend onsite and online staff development training focuses on teachers' continuing education needs. Considers theory, modeling, and practice, and describes a collaborative program in a rural area in Ohio that offers a combination of online learning and live instruction that allows for peer interaction and practice. (LRW)

Paraprofessional staff (n=148) working in group homes, institutions, day care centers, and sheltered workshops for people with mental retardation participated in inservice training on adult education and basic teaching skills. The majority wrote and implemented individual teaching programs for their clients that resulted in positive gains in…

Integrative motivation was found to correlate significantly with American Sign Language (ASL) proficiency for 115 hearing faculty and staff at a postsecondary program for deaf students. Instrumental motives, however, were perceived as less important. Higher achievement in ASL was also associated with a positive cultural attitude toward deaf…

Some practical approaches to implementing preretirement education programs for personnel at public research universities are offered, based on a program developed at Ohio University. Preretirement program goals are to educate employees about the critical components in retirement planning and to provide unbiased and impartial resource information…

Addresses outsourcing of school facilities services and the steps facilities services staff can take to help preserve their jobs. Steps include increasing organizational communication of staff efforts; investigating computer software to better manage service delivery; training and motivating staff in new ideas and practices; and establishing goals…

A study trained four parent-child advocates serving homeless parents and children (ages birth-3) in providing one-on-one early intervention to facilitate healthy parent-child interactions. After training, all advocates increased their use of positive, contingent, and instructive feedback and mothers became more contingent, social-emotional growth…

The University of Calgary (Alberta) was recognized for adopting competency-based human resource processes that focus on developing and rewarding staff for demonstrating competencies critical to the university's success. Programs and resources were redirected to support staff learning, attendance at learning and development programs increased by…

Discusses the need for a graduate degree in librarianship. Topics include differences between undergraduate and master's level courses; experience; in-house training programs; incentives for library support staff to get a master's degree; and professionalism, including the ability to build community, technological literacy, and a belief in the…

Chronicles one school's attempt to create a school- wide portfolio as a tool for evaluating the growth and progress of children and as a means of professional growth for teachers and the director/principal. Discusses the staff meetings to discuss philosophy, focus group meetings to formulate the portfolios, and between-meeting activities. Notes…

Reports an action research project to evaluate an intervention designed to increase students' confidence in an undergraduate peer assessment of posters in Psychology. Evidence from qualitative evaluation questionnaires suggested that students' initial resistance to the peer assessment was transformed by their participation in these processes. (AEF)