In January 2011, a Joint Committee of representatives from the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) began work to establish cross-agency guidelines for improving the quality, coherence, and pace of knowledge development in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. Although the…

The fourth of six volumes in the "Elementary Principal Series," this booklet offers new principals a set of ideas, procedures, and examples associated with effective teacher supervision. The principal-teacher supervisory relationship has changed dramatically over recent years. The principal is no longer an inspector, but a colleague…

Suggests teacher resiliency is a critical element in classroom success and teacher retention. Identifies significant adult relationships, a sense of personal responsibility, social and problem-solving skills, a sense of competence, expectations and goals, confidence, a sense of humor, and a sense of accomplishment as resources important in the…

Discusses the importance of professional development for library media specialists and presents suggestions for staying current in the field, including participation in conferences, taking advantage of continuing-education opportunities, reading professional journals, and using Internet resources. (MES)

Low staff morale results from professional lives that have little meaning; from frustration and the inability to change what is happening; and from muddled goals and demands exceeding scarce resources. Schools with high staff morale have very distinctive features, including a sense of community. Factors determining high morale are: (1) input into…

The professional development and accountability of new staff are discussed, and the University of New South Wales' department-based plan for new staff development is described. The program involves planning sessions and record keeping of responsibilities, achievements, needs for professional development, and the resources provided to assist staff.…

Argues for the importance of "gesturing" to the rhetoric and composition field's discursive conventions when writing for publication. Discusses two forms of gesturing, using graduate student submissions to the journal "Rhetoric Review." Shows how recognizing these gestures leads to important discoveries on how emerging scholars…

The National Literacy and Numeracy Strategies (NLS and NNS) represent a major government initiative to improve classroom practice and student learning in literacy and mathematics in elementary schools across England. National targets were intended to increase the percentage of 11-year-olds reaching the "expected level"--Level 4--in…

Emphasizes the importance of effective communication at the outset of the instructional technologist/training client relationship. Discusses using the basic taxonomy of client types and entry strategies for the following different types of clients: theorist, expert, novice, practitioner, and generalist. Includes a sample self-assessment form. (AEF)

Information to help local school districts in Minnesota plan for and use revenue reserved for staff development is provided in this research-referenced planning guide. Following the introduction, chapter 2 focuses on decision-making aspects of staff development and offers a conceptual model of decision-making choice points in the planning process.…

The "Career Ladder Technical Manual: A Guide To Interpreting Your Scores. Teacher Edition, 1986," of the Tennessee Career Ladder Evaluation System, is reviewed. Intended as a guide for the teacher candidate to interpreting test scores, the manual explains the score report for a lay audience. Raw scores and standard scores are explained.…

Designed to inform and guide the work of the Professional Support Committee at Reading Area Community College (RACC) in Pennsylvania as it attempts to refine current instructional support procedures and create new growth initiatives, this evaluative report focuses on the activities and accomplishments of RACC during the third year of its…

This document examines key leadership issues related to effective special education and reviews emerging standards in knowledge and skills for effective principal performance. An introduction notes school responsibility to provide students with disabilities with access to the general curriculum and ongoing monitoring of progress. The paper then…

The most important step in recruiting a school technology coordinator is the interview. Examines the candidate interview, concentrating on four areas: technical expertise, understanding technology use in instructional environments, professional development, and Internet knowledge and experience. Provides questions and discussions of possible…

Reflects on the study of literary themes in a reform to develop "thinking based curricula" for lower income urban youth. Mentions the need to broaden students' worlds and discusses implications for middle grades teacher education. Suggests the need for preservice teachers to have plenty of ongoing workshop practice in shaping and critiquing…