Operational characteristics for successful mentoring programs of new university faculty include clarity of purpose of the program, methods for matching mentors and proteges, mentor training, mentor-protege relationship building, and program effectiveness assessment. Strengths of formal, informal, peer, group or consortia, intra-departmental,…

Describes an elementary peer leadership coaching project that enabled principals to improve their instructional leadership skills. Project evaluation indicated there was self-perceived growth in instructional leadership. Coaches underestimated the power of active listening. Specific peer matches did not affect the results. Flexibility,…

Outcomes and applications of Appalachia Educational Laboratory (AEL) study groups composed of teachers and administrators to investigate a single educational issue and develop a product of use to practitioners are described in this report. Contents include an introduction of the study group as a professional development tool, a discussion of the…

Interviews with 29 participants in state-mandated mentoring of beginning teachers, school counselors, and school librarians revealed that the most prominent mentor roles were assisting beginners' adjustment to the job and providing feedback. The mentor's role with respect to curriculum and teaching skills was less prominent. Expectations for…

Since l984, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has been operating the California Mentor Teacher Program (MTP), initiated and supported by the state, to give special help to new or inexperienced teachers and encourage competent teachers to continue teaching. The study reported in these two volumes evaluated program effectiveness and…

A statewide survey on teacher induction and mentoring programs, conducted in Ohio during 1991-92, asked districts to report on the presence or absence of program components required by the Ohio standard for entry-year certification. Most districts reported having mentoring programs that had major positive effects, though there were some problems.…