Classroom teachers play an important role in the success of gifted programs. During the past two decades, researchers (Bigelow, 1993; Bransky, 1987; Milligan, 2001; Tomlinson, 2001) consistently reported more support from classroom teachers for gifted programming when the teachers had a greater understanding of giftedness. On the other hand, when…

Shares the results of a yearlong project of staff development where teachers kept a personal inquiry journal and participated in group activities. Finds the teachers grew together as a cohesive staff in learning to appreciate the inquiry process, to value the interests of their colleagues, to develop meaningful curriculum, and to enjoy the beauty…

A rationale for staff development in the elementary school is given along with methods and means by which staff development may occur. It also suggests ways elementary counselors can be the principal initiators in the infusion of career education concepts into the existing curriculum. (CT)

Despite considerable focus on school-development planning and cooperative-management forms in (British) primary schools, little effort has been made to link curriculum, staff, and school-development concerns through the work of curriculum coordinators. A recent survey shows that curriculum coordinators are confined to consultant roles. This…

Suggests ways that transactional learning can be reflected in staff development practices. Addresses issues raised during attempts to implement a whole-language staff development program. Contends that what unites whole-language teachers is a unique but common orientation toward instruction and curriculum and that this orientation can be reflected…

An elementary school art teacher with 25 years' experience with the Fairfax County (Virginia) Public Schools praises her district's nationally recognized program. She attributes success to several factors: a written curriculum for grades K-6, a strategies document for implementing the curriculum, a strong staff development component, collaboration…

Describes the development of a school-based reading policy in an elementary school, including staff development, development of policy, general aims, and selection of reading materials. (FL)

Teacher advisors in the Fall River (MA) public schools bridge theory and practice and merge curriculum development with staff development. They have revitalized the writing curriculum, brought freshness and excitement to teaching, and raised the quality of student writing. Their approach is described. (MT)

Three levels of staff development were provided to 300 elementary teachers to train them in curriculum compacting for high ability students. Teachers eliminated about half of the content for targeted students. Teachers receiving the most intensive training created higher quality compactor forms for students and used more replacement strategies and…

The Getty Center for Education in the Arts established the 1983 and 1984 Institutes for Educators on the Visual Arts to explore the introduction of discipline-based art programs into elementary schools. Teachers attending a summer staff development program planned programs for their own shools. The institutes are described and future plans are…

Provides a rationale for the shift from textbook to thematic instruction in middle schools. Describes a six-session staff development model for thematic instruction that covers the utility and applicability of this approach, development of thematic units, use of literature in such units, assessment of student progress, and implementation of…

Examines the effects of a Comprehensive Instructional Management System (CIMS) on mathematics achievement at a Kingston (New York) elementary school during 1982-83. Describes program components (curriculum, assessment, instructional support, and staff development) and reports dramatic achievement gains for a high-risk student population. Includes…

Describes the Technology Integration Enhancement (TIE) model that was developed to encourage technology integration at the elementary school level. The conceptual framework, staff development, and the Concerns-Based Adoption Model which comprise the TIE model are explained; and an evaluation of the TIE model is described. (Contains 14 references.)…

Describes an Illinois elementary principal's efforts to work with teachers to reshape her school's culture, curriculum, and organization into a model stressing collegiality and greater teacher involvement. A staff development calendar and action plan are presented to illustrate the patchwork quilting analogy. (four references) (MLH)

An elementary school located in a predominantly black neighborhood on the south side of Chicago decided it was time to restructure the curriculum (scores lagged behind the national average and interest in reading and writing had waned). The principal, parents, and teachers were given extra encouragement to use the process of team building, shared…