Describes a concept called the "professional circle" which is modeled after the quality circle management technique. It works as a support group and helps teachers feel less isolated. (MD)

Offers 11 concrete approaches to improve the quality of substitute teacher programs and provides sample evaluation forms. (MLF)

A study that evaluated the effectiveness of formal and informal needs assessment procedures found them equally valid in ascertaining information for planning staff development programs. (MD)

Educational leadership, curriculum development, and staff development are critical areas that need improvement for long-term educational gains. (MD)

Staff development is the key to middle school effectiveness, and this article lists characteristics of an effective staff development program, examples of activities and topics, and questions for program evaluation. (DCS)

Outlines an innovative district-wide staff development program that improved morale, lessened the teacher burnout rate, and saved the district money. (MD)

Presents and explains how to use a checklist for helping principals determine the presence of effective elements in their schools' staff development programs. The checklist process involves testing such program factors as school commitment levels, needs assessment components, program development activities, program implementation and evaluation,…

Tips are offered on how to ease the transition of students from elementary to middle level or junior high schools. A teacher-advisor program is proposed, and staff development modules are suggested to help teachers assist students in the transition process. (TE)

Presents detailed components of a six-hour inservice workshop to familiarize teachers with microcomputers. (MD)

Good staff morale is crucial to the operation of an effective educational program. Suggestions are made for principals. (Author/MLF)

Introducing computers into schools to improve instruction can be more effectively done if there is a procedure to follow. Presents a five-step process for development of such a procedure: (1) planning committee, (2) program goals, (3) student objectives, (4) implementation plan, and (5) program evaluation. (MD)

Having worked for several years with three Wisconsin school districts, the author describes the metaplan that emerged for developing districtwide improvement plans. He presents a completed plan to clarify the process. The participating school districts welcome inquiries. (Author/TE)

Secondary school administrators can use local community colleges as resources in several ways: as showplaces of diverse uses for computers, links to the needs of business regarding computing skills, participants in concurrent enrollment programs, and providers of staff development courses and computing services. (Author/JM)

Provides a checklist to help principals assess whether thinking skills are being taught in their schools and suggests what needs to be done to improve such teaching. (DCS)

Reports on a collaborative project on school violence and safety conducted for a partnership that serves 13 school districts in two New York counties. Focus groups collected information on the schools from school stakeholders. Recommendations for more effective channels of communication with the entire educational community are included. Provides…