Essential to any career planning program within an organization are the following elements: (1) goal setting; (2) career path time schedule; (3) transitions, or changes necessary to implementation of the plan; and (4) predicted and actual outcomes. (SK)

After an absence of nine years from the principalship, this author noticed an older faculty, increased paperwork, decreased authority of principals, a slower decision-making process, an increase in services for children, more girls' athletics, and an unchanged curriculum. (Author/LD)

Presents two strategies for improving the quality of child care through staff development: (1) identifying areas of staff expertise and cultivating mentoring relationships; and (2) developing collaborative community initiatives. Includes brief descriptions of these strategies in use in particular child care programs. Makes suggestions for…

Oklahoma Extension's "Valuing Differences" program for agents included cultural differences seminar, visits to diverse communities and debriefing sessions. Evaluation indicated greater awareness of diversity and identification of potential new audiences for extension and appropriate methods for programming. (SK)

Literature review and interviews with 22 experts examined how and why electronic learning is being used by organizations. Growth in synchronous communication, blended solutions, and improved access were found. Review of research evidence suggested that most people can learn effectively with technology, technology can reduce training costs with…

States that the lure of cost savings and other incentives are prompting more organizations to outsource their entire learning function. Suggests that this will provide different opportunities for trainers. Looks at incentives, services, and advantages of outsourcing training. (JOW)

The International Civil Aviation Organization has standards for airport certification that require education and training of personnel. The American Association of Airport Executives offers accreditation and certification in airport operations and safety that can meet the needs of world-class airports. (Contains 18 references.) (SK)

Describes the benefits for principals of online staff development for teachers. Sources of online courses and training include local and state departments of education, professional associations, colleges and universities, online universities, and commercial suppliers. (PKP)

Human resource management data were collected from 149 Irish, 201 Hong Kong, 92 Singaporean, and 144 Chinese organizations. Career patterns and training practices showed distinct differences. Irish organizations were more likely to have lower levels of career paths; their training practices suggested more new forms of careers. Fewer paths indicate…

Survey responses from 120 British local governments that achieved the Investors in People (IiP) standard for training and development indicated that most found some benefits from the award; a number of barriers were identified. Results of this and other studies suggest that it is unclear how effective IiP is for improving business performance or…

The American Camping Association offers an outdoor living skills program that promotes understanding of the natural environment and the value of minimum impact camping. The program is based on five levels and encompasses six skill areas. It can be adapted to any age group and to venues such as day camps, residential camps, outdoor education, or…

A questionnaire developed and tested with 60 public employees was used to identify four facilitating mechanisms of organizational learning: learning environment, identifying learning and development needs, meeting learning and development needs, and applying learning in the workplace. Factor analysis found 12 scales that supported these elements…

Summarizes research on how organizations implement change successfully. Focuses on five lessons for implementing and sustaining change: (1) be sure it will add value; (2) match the change process to the challenge; (3) provide management support; (4) prepare the system for change; and (5) help people align. (Contains 22 references.) (JOW)

Presents a model for calculating the return on investment in outdoor experiential training that focuses on pre- and posttraining behavior and business performance. Includes a method for converting data on turnover, absenteeism, productivity, quality, and job performance into monetary values to compute return. (Contains 54 references.) (SK)

Defines the learning company as an organization that facilitates the learning of its members and continually transforms itself in order to meet strategic goals. Supports the concept with a study of personnel directors in eight public and private organizations in the United Kingdom. Proposes guidelines for developing learning companies. (SK)