Research has shown that teachers have the greatest impact on student learning more than any other factor (Haycock, 1998). Thus, highly qualified and effective teachers are the most important resource for schools and districts in order to educate all students. In a time of increased accountability and alternatively certified teachers, effective and…

The Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council (GPLC) has made a strong commitment to professional development for its paid staff and ongoing training for its volunteers. During its 25-year history, GPLC has faced three challenges as it implemented its current staff development system. In this article, the author discusses these three challenges: (1)…

Advocates the use of study groups focusing on the local school context as a complement and an alternative to traditional staff development. Discusses ingredients of successful study groups and gives examples of how they can be applied. Notes benefits and cautions of study groups. (SR)

The goals of greater involvement of teachers in their own staff development mirror those of quality adult education. If the further development of teachers as self-directed learners is facilitated by giving them both the time to make the transition to such methods and a chance to plan and implement professional-development projects, both teachers…

States that peer-group meetings for Virginia Community College System classified employees are promising avenues for professional development in the VCCS. Describes the development and successful outcomes of four "drive-in" conferences held for secretaries to division chairs and academic directors. Emphasizes the need for continuing…

In 10 chapters, this book offers a clear nonlinear vision for continuously preparing professional and classified staff for the purpose of improving schools and student academic achievement. Chapter 1 shows the importance of inservice education and provides a rationale for conducting systematic, if not empirically based, programs. Chapter 2 details…

Intended primarily for human resources managers who are responsible for the development of executives, this paper lays out the potential advantages and hazards of enhanced feedback. It first looks at enhanced feedback and its rationale in detail. Four sources of data are described: numerical ratings and verbatim comments; data from the workplace…

Suggestions for an individualized approach to staff development of adult educators is offered in this monograph. Individual commitment to professional growth and administration allocation of time and resources are seen as prerequisites to implementation of any program. In discussing program types, the report cautions that large group programs,…

Throughout 1993-94, a team of adult education practitioners and state staff from the Kentucky Department for Adult Education and Literacy developed a staff development system for adult educators in the state. Input was gathered from the staff development advisory committee, from student and teacher focus groups, and through other public and…

This report examines the current position in Scottish further education colleges regarding professional development for those staff whose roles include teaching and the management of teaching and learning. The report: (1) identifies general categories of professional development in which it is appropriate for these staff to participate; (2)…

This document contains four papers from a symposium on organization development and change. "The Effectiveness of Total Quality Management: A Response to the Critics" (Douglas H. Smith, Ralph G. Lewis) identifies four effectiveness principles: customer satisfaction, continuous improvement, speaking with facts, and respect for people. "Fast Cycle…

Portfolios are increasingly being used to demonstrate competence and to show development needs among employees in organizations. This book explains what a portfolio is and how it links with the current training revolution taking place through the introduction of National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) in Great Britain. It shows how portfolios…

This document contains three papers from a symposium on human resource development (HRD) and performance outcomes. "Going to the Next Level of Growth: Employing Systems Thinking to Make Effective Interventions" (Carol Ann Zulauf, Joseph A. Ilacqua) shows how a systems view enables organizations to find the most effective point for…

A project identified training competencies performed by human resource specialists and determined competencies that needed further professional development. It used this information to assess the adequacy of the training programs of the University of Tennessee's Department of Technological and Adult Education and to determine the feasibility of…

Suggests several areas in Australian adult education and training where a competency-based educational model would have application. Areas include the professional development of staff in educational institutions and industrial training establishments, training of educational administrators, vocational training of college students, and the…