Why don't employees always do what they're supposed to do? The reasons are often as ambiguous to them as they are to their supervisors. Different roles come with different perceptions. Understanding and finding solutions will help one create an approach to staff development that will target the reasons why staff don't always perform at their best.…

The skills acquired in a Job-Alike Workshop can go a long way toward reducing the "I don't get no respect" syndrome compounded by high student/supervisor ratios. When support personnel learn student management strategies, their daily tasks are easier, and the positive effects are noticeable throughout the entire school. (MLH)

This article recounts successful strategies for increasing student staff commitment to the organization's vision and deadlines, inviting "buy in" for projects, and enhancing staff work relationships. The discussion will outline activities that have resulted in increased employee satisfaction with work, smoother interactions between coworkers,…

In two studies, three clinicians were assisted in using an outcome management approach to supervision for improving the work performance of their staff assistants. Using vocal and written instructions, feedback, and modeling, each clinician was assisted in specifying an area of staff performance (or consumer activity related to staff performance)…

A central concern of Joseph Milner's February 1991 "Kappan" article critiquing the North Carolina Teacher Performance Assessment Instrument is that teacher evaluation will drive teaching. He errs in confusing essential skills with basic skills, ignoring all teacher evaluation's purposes except instructional improvement, and claiming the…

Supervisors who evaluate staff members' performances often do not have first hand information concerning those performances. Consequently, the staff member is sometimes not aware of what caused a person's success or failure. In order to give constructive feedback to an employee, a supervisor or another colleague could observe the staff member at…

A model of ongoing consultation was effectively implemented in a community group home for eight adults with severe and profound mental retardation. Two consultants taught staff members to use a token reinforcement system, engage clients in a variety of activities, and improve staff interactions with clients. (Author/DB)

In autumn 2003, the author conducted a study of the best practices in linking assessment and strategic planning in higher education by visiting three institutions that represent models in integrating these processes. Information was gathered by interviewing faculty, staff, and administrators involved in the institutions' strategic planning or…

A workshop held at the University of California at San Diego's research library focused on improving the quality of goal-based self-reviews as a training approach for performance management. Participants benefited from the mixed groupings of librarians and paraprofessionals and from the detailed look at individual goals and objectives. (three…

Parkway School District in Chesterfield, Mo., creates a system in which all their employees have opportunities to experience ongoing professional learning. District leadership believes that all employees, whether or not they interact with students, contribute to the school district's success. The Parkway support staff development is building a…

A synthesis of literature on administrator assessment and staff development and a directory of resources are presented in this document. Section 1 discusses several aspects of administrator evaluation--the purposes of performance assessment; the components of evaluation; and the issues, processes, and recommendations for an effective evaluation…

In an effort to update teacher evaluation systems to reflect changing attitudes toward the teaching profession and to focus on staff development, state departments of education and school districts have designed mentor and master teacher programs, career ladders, shared leadership programs, and differentiated evaluation programs. They have also…

This paper analyzes the implementation of a staff development and appraisal scheme at the University of Birmingham, England. The analysis focuses on the stakeholders and the decisive factors that were influential in effecting this innovation. Explored are three perspectives on leadership on how appraisers can become more effective. (GLR)

This practicum developed a program to enhance the job performance of support personnel (behavior modification technicians) who work with students having conduct disorders. The behavior modification technicians provided building-level support for principals and teachers working with black adolescents from socially deprived backgrounds. Inservice…

In an effort to foster professionalism and staff development within the Technical and Further Education college staff, a voluntary appraisal program, Facilitated Appraisal for College Executives (FACE), was developed. A handbook is presented which gives background information and some suggestions users may find helpful in implementing the (FACE)…