Balancing theory, administration, and practice, Newport News (Virginia) public schools achieved a smooth transition to middle school organization. (Author)

Guidance for guidance counselors who want to take full advantage of the many resources and opportunities available for self-directed professional growth. Lists ideas, questions to be answered, and rewards to be won. (Editor)

Outlines a fictitious but ideal school in which staff work cooperatively and are encouraged to develop their talents. (MD)

Argues for the implementation of mentoring programs for beginning teachers. Outlines theoretical and practical aspects of the concept of mentoring, mentor qualities and expectations, mentoring activities, and outcomes of mentoring. (HB)

Presents a conceptual framework intended to indicate the need to consider curriculum implementation, staff development, and evaluation as integrally linked in the curriculum change process and to reinforce the idea of involving teachers meaningfully. (RS)

Examines the role of the secondary school secretary in Great Britain as that role is prescribed in job descriptions; performed in fact; and perceived by secretaries, administrators, teachers, and others. Suggests that aspects of the role as the role is perceived may indicate possible avenues for staff development. (PGD)

Describes a method for effecting change used with large secondary schools. Workshop participants explored the value of experiential, participative approaches to change and considered how what they bring to a situation can be creatively integrated with what is found in the changed situation. (JOW)

Discussion of the preparation of personnel to work with gifted secondary students documents the need for special personnel preparation, preparation needs of the classroom teacher and of the gifted specialist, the need to upgrade general education personnel, and examples of some alternative personnel preparation strategies including modules,…

"Continuous quality improvement" is implemented by the Francis Tuttle Vocational Technical Center in Oklahoma. The gradual process has involved employee training and staff reorganization with the goal of improving service to students. (JOW)

Discusses the characteristics of unsuccessful attempts to implement collegial supervision (teachers helping teachers through feedback and advice) in schools, and discusses the insights these characteristics provide. Discusses one successful collegial supervision program. (SR)

Reviews some of the general findings about the kinds of self-reporting procedures that seem to yield accurate information about classroom instruction. (HOD)

This summary offers highlights of a conference hosted by the Southern Regional Educational Board-State Vocational Education Consortium, a 6-year effort to develop, apply, evaluate, and promote strategies to strengthen the basic competencies of high school students enrolled in vocational education programs. An introduction provides summaries of…

Describes the steps that should be incorporated into planning for inservice efforts with teachers of handicapped students and presents several models for presenting inservice training for teachers and school support personnel. (LRA)

Suggests a collaboration between local high schools and community colleges in which educational objectives and equipment can be shared, and both staff development and college recruitment can be improved. (JC)

The success of competency based vocational education (CBVE) implementation depends upon commitment of staff and administration, visits to institutions with existing programs, and staff development and materials adaptation. (JOW)