Recent studies have shown that strengths in spatial skills are a key to success in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) careers. However, these skills are undervalued in our educational system and thus seldom incorporated in classroom teaching. As a first step towards changing the current practices, we worked with a group of…

Two elementary schools in White Plains, New York, have been involved in the Child Development Project (CDP) since 1991. This paper describes how the staffs and administrators built caring communities into their schools. The paper is written from the perspective of a staff developer who became a district coordinator for staff development. The paper…

Evaluation of the school-based, collaborative inservice program implemented by 10 elementary schools in Jefferson County, Kentucky, indicates that ideal conditions are not essential to school improvement. Based on the effective schools research model, the project also provided evidence that local schools will adopt successful programs after pilot…

The Mary Reynolds Babcock Project (MRBP) is a school improvement effort implemented at the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools during the 1990-91 school year. A total of 24 elementary school teachers, called visiting teachers, visited designated lab sites within the system for 2 weeks each to observe exemplary instructional programs and be…

Although middle and high schools are progressing in the use of computer technology, elementary schools seem to be lagging behind. Classroom teachers must learn to accommodate individual students' preferred learning styles and integrate computer technology into the classroom. This article describes a Montana elementary school's use of networked…

A 2-year pilot program in Toronto, Ontario, used in-school learning centers (LC) to enable 60 variously handicapped students in three junior schools to withdraw from self-contained classes and mainstream into regular classes. To develop the program, a Special Education Work Group performed such activities as writing issue papers, visiting 12…

The document presents the final report of the Model Vision Project (MVP) Outreach Phase, funded to demonstrate appropriate educational, diagnostic, training, and other services to severely multihandicapped, visually impaired children. Roles of various staff are reviewed, and individuals serving as consultants are listed. Summarized are the goals…

The Puget Sound Educational Consortium (PESC) is a partnership of 11 school districts in the Puget Sound, Washington, area and the College of Education at the University of Washington. The partnership is based on the following assumptions: a belief in the school as a primary unit of change; a commitment to political inquiry; the development of…

A year long study involving 38 students in grades 1 to 6 was conducted to assess the degree of implementation of a frequent, curriculum-based measurement and evaluation system in classrooms in which the teachers had received training in the system, and to examine the effectiveness of the measurement and evaluation system in terms of enhancing the…

Despite the profession's support of the developmental model for design and delivery of counseling programs, many school counselors are unsure how to implement developmental programming. Suggests specific areas for professional development for counselor educators and school counselors. Presents a staff development program for school counselors that…

Discusses some principles, considerations, and cautions for those creating staff development programs in whole language. Discusses factors necessary for effective implementation of whole-language programs. (RS)

The Portal School Program at Arizona State University is described as one method of promoting health education in elementary schools. Teachers are directly involved in curriculum decision making through inservice training. Elements of the program are explored. (Author/DF)

Nationwide dissemination of the Iowa Chautauqua Model for inservice professional development of K-12 science teachers has led to new professional development programs in many states. Discusses a formative evaluation of the implementation of the Collier Chautauqua Program (CCP) which focuses on teacher enhancement resulting from participation in…

Describes how two university instructors implemented the staff development component of a competitive U.S. federal literacy initiative in two elementary schools. Notes that Reading Excellence Act (REA) was enacted to give schools direct financial assistance to improve reading instruction. Suggests the greatest lesson the authors learned was…

A study examined the degree to which eight teachers would faithfully implement an early literacy intervention plan. Teachers implemented the intervention with a high degree of fidelity and benefited from the community approach to intervention for struggling readers. Most children made substantial gains in phonemic blending and segmenting…