"The Learning System" is a newsletter designed for superintendents and central office staff with professional learning responsibilities. This issue includes: (1) Principal-Coaches Transform Teachers and Schools (Valerie von Frank); (2) District Leadership: Delve into NSDC's [National Staff Development Council's] New Definition of…

One common error plagues the staff development planning process. This error is the general failure to provide a way to transfer new information and skill to the classroom. Activities that target the application of skills learned in staff development or inservice activities are commonly referred to as "followup" activities. This study explores the…

The school principal has a key role in working with teachers to enhance the school as a learning community. Chapter 1 discusses the standards that emanate from such organizations as the National Staff Development Council (NSDC) and National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and that serve as a basis for designing staff…

An effective teacher must continue to learn, problem-solve, and respond to the evolving needs of his or her students. Ideally a culture of inquiry, reflection, and self-evaluation should develop. Voluntary inquiry-based reflection identifies problems and issues within a school and allows teachers and administrators to develop professional study…

This paper describes an inservice training project in Colorado funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The goal of the project is to create a self-sustaining and expanding network of trained leaders in geographic education. The project addresses: (1) the need to improve and expand the geographic literacy of U.S. citizens; (2) the…

Described are programs that will provide a more attractive academic environment. Programs considered a start-up package, salaries and fringe benefits, mentors, team work, career development and planning, services, and staff support. (YP)

This publication presents 14 departmental case studies of the preparation and support provided to part-time teachers in Scottish institutions of higher education. The case studies are grouped in four sections according to the category of part-time staff involved: practicing professionals (professional teaching assistants, lawyers, artists, and…

There is an urgent need to bring values into the college curriculum. College human resources personnel are uniquely qualified to train college faculty and administrators in ethics and to assist in development of curricula in each discipline incorporating ethics. (MSE)

A study was conducted to determine the important components of a comprehensive staff development program. To guide the investigation, a paradigm was constructed which identified the content areas of staff development as personal/professional, program/instructional, and organizational development; and which specified a statement of purpose or…

The Brunel University (England) education department worked with evaluation teams from two local education authorities to develop a faculty development program for local colleges. The origins, design, implementation, and response to the modular program are described as is the "in house consultancy" model developed by the program. (MSE)

An in-house media training program can help college faculty feel comfortable with taped and on-camera interviews. Everyone benefits: faculty gain valuable experience; the media and public obtain quick, concise, and clear information; and the campus gets good public relations. Effective programs are carefully designed, realistic, and include…

It is abundantly clear that increasingly complex, diverse, technological middle level schools require educators to take on new roles. Change is the only constant, and as a result there is a huge chasm between what middle level teachers experienced as students themselves and as preservice teachers and the exigencies and realities of middle level…

The staff development program at the University of New South Wales (Australia) differs from traditional university programs in that it integrates professional development activities for both general and academic staff. The Professional Development Centre operates as an academic unit and performs both teaching and research functions. (MSE)

Guidelines obtained from interviews with over 30 companies or business consultants are suitable for school administrators. Successful managers are increasingly interested in quality of work life, motivation, staff development, and public relations. (MLF)

The concepts of excellence now widely adopted in business also apply to higher education and include five fundamental areas of competence: taking innovative action, getting back in touch with past and present customers, existing for the customer, fostering individual commitment, and instilling unique values. (MSE)