Schools and districts are inundated with data from a variety of sources. As a result, using data to guide instructional planning can be daunting for teachers and schools. While schools and districts are dealing with shrinking budgets and growing demands for high student achievement, an investment in school-based coaching can provide exponential…

In the past decade, interest in the form of professional learning loosely described as coaching has exploded. This growing interest in coaching is likely fueled by educators' recognition that traditional one-shot approaches to professional development--where teachers hear about practices but do not receive follow-up support--are ineffective at…

Of all the educators and administrators who affect the success and quality of a school, school principals are the most important. Modeled after teacher centers, the primary purpose of the principals' center would be to stimulate professional growth and effective administrative practices. (JN)

Traditionally, the professional growth and development of school administrators has been left up to the individual. A model for alternative administrator training has five basic operational criteria: collaboration; peer leadership; a sound cognitive base; experiential activities; and an ongoing support system. (JN)

Describes a training program for principals who are mentors for other principals. After defining mentoring, the article considers fundamental assumptions about development of formal mentoring programs, then outlines a mentor training model. Evaluation indicates the program increased mentors' understanding of their mentor relationships and helped…

A staff development program for administrators focuses on three areas, each having its own workshop: (1) leadership styles; (2) organizational climate; and (3) analyzing feedback from the evaluations. (CJ)

In this article, the authors argue that district and school leaders continue to struggle with the apparent dichotomy between "traditional" and "reform-oriented professional development," especially with increased presence of professional learning communities in schools and their use in replacing other forms of professional development. Traditional…

The Simmons College Institute for Women in Educational Administration provides women with specific organizational and personal skills for professional advancement in school administration. Outcomes resulting from the program include: new skills in technical areas; knowledge of school organization; and an increased ability to assess personal goals.…

The Bellevue Administrative Professional Development Program was successful in its attempt to have principals learn and apply the skills of clinical supervision. Future opportunities for maintaining the principals' abilities to apply such skills should emphasize the planning and conducting of postobservation conferences with the teacher. (JN)

In the Monroe Township (New Jersey) Public Schools, teachers' learning occurs daily, not just on one day in October and February. Central office and school-level administrators foster job-embedded teacher growth. Every day is a professional development day in the district, but that has not always been so. How did the district become a system with…

The professional development of trainers requires an understanding of the developmental stages of adults. As with other adults, trainers may progress through stages of development. Staff developers must align the type of support given with the current stage of the trainer's development and move the learner to the next stage. (JD)

University consultants to a school district developed a collegial support staff development program to help experienced teahers improve their instructional skills. The model's characteristics included voluntary participation, formative evaluation, opportunities for reflection, a summer training program, and monthly seminars. (CB)

An already existing professional development structure composed of a steering committee on policy, curriculum coordinators, and building-level staff development associates enabled the Greenwich (Connecticut) Public Schools to plan and carry out staff development in computer literacy. Responsiveness and flexibility are key elements of the program.…

The Jefferson County (Colorado) School district prepares teachers to lead staff development programs in four major areas: (1) implementation of new curriculum; (2) personal and professional growth of colleagues; (3) as educational consultants; and (4) as organizational development consultants. Examples of leadership training activities in each…

Describes four staff development leadership styles provided by principals (traditional administrator, instructional leader, community builder, and orchestra conductor). Suggestions are offered encouraging principals to orchestrate staff development for all personnel (e.g., advocate lifelong learning for all employees and encourage learning…