Hunter's "seven-step lesson plan" has been misinterpreted and misunderstood. The plan was developed to be used flexibly, through misinterpretation it has been used too rigidly. The seven steps would be better understood if conceived as "generic" instructional processes to be "considered" in every teaching situation.…

Despite the growing popularity of Madeline Hunter's Program for Effective Teaching staff development model, there is little evidence that student achievement increases after such a program has been implemented. A recent study of South Carolina achievement test data corroborates this assertion. Coaching length and quality may be key factors in…

Critiques the Napa/Vacaville project for being exceptionally well designed yet being ineffective. The key to effective staff development is to find ways of increasing teachers' ability to accept innovations and incorporate them into their teaching repertoires. (MD)

The evaluator of the Napa/Vacaville project responds with an analysis of student achievement scores and the goals of the project. She points out that the year after the project ended student achievement scores increased again. The positive effects of staff development on student achievement may have needed more time to take effect. (MD)

A new staff development model postulates that teachers' beliefs and attitudes change as a result of changes in learning results, which in turn stem from changed classroom practices. Evidence supporting this model is summarized, and implications for staff development practice are discussed. (MCG)

Teachers in an elementary school decide not to match students with teachers. Instead, the teachers learn a variety of styles. (Author)

Discusses Situational Leadership Theory, a conceptual framework that can help managers improve their performance by varying their leadership style in various situations to fit the needs and capabilities of their subordinates. (JG)

When assessing a staff development program, several factors must be considered, including improvement in student outcomes, content and quality of the staff development program, and organizational climate and culture. Specific suggestions for evaluating program influences on participants, students, and the organization are offered. A multifaceted…

Whereas the writing process is recursive, Instructional Theory into Practice (ITIP) is a linear, sequential series of instructional decisions. By understanding the relationship between these two models, staff development and curriculum specialists can assist teachers by coordinating support group sessions and followup training using a common…

In its 1982 long-range school improvement plan, the Muhlenberg (Pennsylvania) School District targeted mathematical computation skills, focusing on (1) developing a management information system to document student achievement; (2) redesigning the curriculum; (3) aligning regular and remedial mathematics programs; and (4) implementing a…

Criticizes Madeline Hunter's teaching model emphasizing a perceived mechanistic and simplistic approach. Also stresses the ways the author feels the model negates the teaching of thinking skills. Attacks the scientific approach of Hunter's model, its philosophic perspective, and the training process. (MD)

The context of staff development programs should be selected from options promising substantial increases in student learning and aptitude. This article introduces the "effect size" concept and reviews recent research on teaching models (cooperative learning, information-processing models, synectics, nondirective teaching, and DISTAR). Includes 55…

A California school district used the Hunter teaching model for a study to measure the effect of the model on teachers and students in two schools over a four-year period. Evaluation shows that student achievement and teacher behavior improved during the first three years then dropped during the fourth. (MD)