This article explores how Asians foster community and nourish spirit in staff development settings, discussing the role of rituals in learning communities, contrasting Asian approaches with North American approaches, and arguing for including rituals in staff development for a more balanced sharing of learning across cultures. (SM)

Offers nine suggestions to help program chairpersons plan successful programs for professional meetings: clearly understand the organization's purposes and objectives, choose an annual site, experiment with times, announce meetings well in advance, plan various formats, plan for long-term professional development, expect the unexpected, use local…

Explores leadership development from preservice preparation programs to renewal activities for veteran administrators. Staff development professionals offer examples of leadership development, such as the preparation of prospective principals, using mentors, promoting ownership in staff development, linking school districts with universities, and…

The metaphoric edubarrier (similar to the sound barrier) lies above the customary rates of learning and impedes education. The article suggests that education is tethered more by social-psychological bonds than by actual limitations of the sciences. A discussion of how the edubarrier hinders collegiality, improvement, and teacher education is…

Michael Kirst argues that staff developers need to develop a clear set of policy positions and specific strategies to influence policymakers, noting that policymakers have traditionally held staff development in low esteem. The paper presents suggestions for what staff developers can do to further their cause. (SM)

Syracuse University models effective adult learning and professional development practices in its leadership program for K-12 educators. Its newly redesigned graduate program helps break down longstanding barriers between teacher and administrator preparation, emphasizing core functions of schools (teaching and learning). This paper examines key…

This article profiles Bena Kallick, a renowned consultant on thinking, assessment, and school restructuring. The constant thread throughout Kallick's staff development career has been her focus on helping educators and parents examine what they want for their schools, how to achieve their vision, and what their children are learning. (SM)

Distinguishes between training and facilitation, examines the belief system of a facilitator, and shares a process for moving from the familiar mind-set of the trainer to the zen (the practice of seeking the truth) of facilitation. (GLR)

A National Staff Development Council (NSDC) survey examined the status of staff development and staff developers in North America. This article summarizes data from 1,057 respondents focusing on identity of the field of staff development, resources for staff development, demographics of NSDC members, and the role of higher education. (SM)

National Staff Development Council (NSDC) standards guide the development of new staff-development programs in Maryland, and they have provided the framework that guides Maryland's teacher-training efforts. This article offers details on the NSDC standards and discusses how Maryland is making use of them. (SM)

A collaborative computer literacy program in Kentucky involves the University of Louisville and surrounding school districts in a staff development cooperative. University faculty are trained to teach district trainers, who then work with their own staffs. (PP)

Teachers need focused staff development to improve content knowledge and pedagogy for specific subject areas. An interview with Lee Shulman, professor of education, discusses advantages of content-specific development, noting the important role of case studies and the changes necessary for helping teachers become lifelong students of content and…

Describes the experiences with collaborative partnership, of a novice elementary teacher who was teaching writing and a university researcher, arguing for the intentional collaboration of such partners as a form of staff development. The article lists benefits of collaborative inquiry and presents guidelines for developing collaborative…

An interview with Robert Garmston, California State University professor, details the cognitive coaching model for supervision or peer coaching of principals, department heads, and teachers. The model is based on the principles that all people can change and therefore develop intellectually, and that teacher performance is based on decision-making…

The St. Louis Educational Leadership Institute, a partnership between St. Louis University, local public schools, and a charitable foundation, is designed to develop future urban school leaders. The four-year program includes seminars, a problems course, an internship, advisement sessions, and portfolio exhibition. This paper describes the…