This digest in Spanish examines peer review, focusing on how these types of reviews can improve teacher competence. Peer review is often linked to peer assistance, which helps new and veteran teachers improve their knowledge and skills. In peer-review programs, consulting teachers conduct formal evaluations and recommend whether the participating…

In recent years there has been growing dissatisfaction with traditional approaches to teacher education. Educators have indicated that teacher education programs are not adequately preparing teachers for future conditions and student needs. The current focus of professional development includes not only teachers but also the many organizations to…

This digest summarizes the highlights of an analysis of assessment practices used in education and professional development for educators. A research team from RAND conducted a broad review of the literature and reviewed the documents of organizations engaged in such assessments. Researchers interviewed experts, attended conferences, and conducted…

One of the key areas in the creation of a multicultural environment on college campuses is faculty development. This CRitical Issue Bibliography (CRIB) Sheet focuses on faculty development as a key component of the multicultural campus environment. The annotated bibliography describes 16 resources, all of which are in the ERIC database. (SLD)

This Critical Issue Bibliography (CRIB) Sheet provides annotations of resources in four areas that are essential for a comprehensive understanding of the issues related to faculty tenure. Tenure has become a highly debated topic, and administrators, faculty members, and the public need to become familiar with the complexities involved in the…

This digest examines peer review, focusing on how these types of reviews can improve teacher competence. Peer review is often linked to peer assistance, which helps new and veteran teachers improve their knowledge and skills. In peer-review programs, consulting teachers conduct formal evaluations and recommend whether the participating teacher…

Ways in which teachers and principals respond to changing leadership roles and some practical steps that principals can take to support leadership are discussed in this article review. It focuses on five papers that explore educators' roles, offering advice on how to respond to changing expectations. "When is New: A Plan of Action" (A. W. Hart)…

To meet the need for innovative approaches for sharing exemplary assessment resources, to facilitate new assessments, and to increase understanding of how the use of standards-based performance assessment can advance educational reform, SRI International is developing Performance Assessment Links in Science (PALS), an on-line, standards-based,…

A RAND research team conducted a broad review of the general literature on the assessment of quality and productivity in education and professional development. The team also reviewed the documentation of organizations engaged in such assessment, interviewed experts, attended conferences, and conducted site visits to exemplary organizations. This…

Many educators and policymakers find that deciding on the right staff-development program has become increasingly difficult. This brief, three-part monograph organizes staff-development objectives, models, and program-design features into an understandable, comprehensive framework. Part 1 advises readers on how to weigh a program's objectives.…

The emphasis in community colleges on teaching as a primary faculty responsibility has frequently caused classroom teaching to be divorced from scholarship. Although the teaching role is not a necessary condition for successful scholarship, some form of scholarship appears to be a necessary condition for successful teaching over an extended period…

The literature on professional development covers five major trends: (1) faculty development; (2) professional development for change in a profession or field; (3) mentoring; (4) professional standards for administrators; and (5) staff development, with almost all of the literature focusing on best practices rather than research. Much of the…

The first 2 of the 11 publications reviewed in this annotated bibliography recommend the involvement of teachers in the evaluation of their colleagues. Subsequent reports include the following points: (1) those who are likely to benefit from an assessment are the competent instructors who know their subject well; (2) a discrepancy exists between…

Group effectiveness skills, including interpersonal communication, negotiation, and teamwork, are essential in today's diverse classroom and workplace. Various ways have been identified to prepare learners to be effective in group situations and to aid teachers to prepare themselves to be skillful group facilitators. The following are some…

This article discusses how rising student enrollment and a projected wave of teacher retirements will affect the teacher corps. It describes the possible shortage of teachers in the upcoming years as a problem more of specialization than outright shortage. Math and science teachers and special-education teachers will be hardest to find, as will be…