One of the greatest challenges supervisors face is developing and retaining their staff. Site supervisors are in a continuous struggle to develop and train new employees on the fundamental skills--managing groups, dealing with disruptive behavior, and so on--that youth workers need before they can successfully implement learning activities. One…

The early 1990s saw the emergence of a rapidly changing landscape of higher education in Singapore with influence from various trends internationally. This article shares on the embryonic stage of staff development in Singapore and the journey of encounters with SEDA pioneers who helped sow the seeds of understanding the true scholarship of…

The Staff and Educational Development Association (SEDA) was formed in 1993 combining a number of predecessor organisations, including the Standing Conference for Educational Development and the Staff Development Group of the Society for Research in Higher Education. It was later joined by the membership of the Association of Educational Training…

The article introduces the reader to a special issue of "NHSA Dialog" that focuses on the professional development (PD) of early childhood educators. The article opens with a perspective from a historical lens, namely that of PD in K-12 education and the evolution of Learning Forward, formerly the National Staff Development Council. The recently…

As universities change in response to their environment, so also do staff roles. In parallel with these changes, in recent years there has been significant incremental growth of provision designed to support the learning and development of university staff in the United Kingdom, so that several intersecting but distinct development communities now…

More and more, the educators this author works with recognize that schools will need to become different, not just better, to help students meet the challenges of the future. These educators are trying to respond to an imperative to innovate as well as improve. The depth of change required to move from creating improvement to fostering innovation…

Developing vocational education is a necessity for the economic and social development of high-poverty areas in China. But vocational education in impoverished areas lacks social recognition and faces funding shortages, along with difficulties in recruiting students. Vocational high schools themselves also have shortcomings. This article considers…

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are being recognized globally for their influential role in realizing the UN Millennium Development Goal of education for all in developing countries. NGOs mostly employ untrained para-educators for grassroots activities. The professional development of these teachers is critical for NGO effectiveness, yet…

Using the development of Third World countries as a metaphor for individual school development, this article describes a method used for eight years in a British secondary school to support internal school development initiatives. Emphasis is placed on internal communication and collaboration and on obtaining outside support rather than outside…

The purpose of this project was to develop data from the classroom to guide technology planning decisions as Oswego City School District (New York) implements its vision statement on technology. A survey was completed by 357 district teachers (88% response rate) which explored teachers' technology background and expertise, attitudes toward…

The shortage of school library media specialists (SLMSs) has accentuated the need for establishing and promoting mentoring programs in K-12 schools. Mentoring programs for SLMSs in two large urban school systems are addressing the needs of new SLMSs. Sample orientation/mentoring program activities are given. (AEF)

This paper looks at effective schools research as it relates to classroom management in participating schools associated with Michigan's Upper Peninsula Effective Schools Professional Development Program--a staff development program based on effective schools research and designed to bring about school improvement. Effective schools research…

Explains why the educational organization should sponsor, facilitate, and coordinate staff development activities. Describes 12 guiding principles that give staff development programs a positive direction, including commitment, recognition of the individual, planning and coordination of staff development, program implementation, and program…

This Okaloosa-Walton Community College (Florida) Staff and Program Development (SPD) Plan provides a five-year framework to support the enhancement of college personnel and the expansion and improvement of college programs and services. To give direction and support to the activities of SPD, the document details a set of goals: (1) to evaluate…

Discusses the effects of change brought about by technology integration in postsecondary institutions. Strategies are provided for managing the change process, focusing on articulating a vision; developing a plan; creating organizational structures; providing adequate training and support; and promoting technology use. (AEF)