This study explores the nature of teacher-parent relations as perceived by principals at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Participants included 144 principals who completed a survey examining differences in parent and teacher involvement at each level, preparedness of first-year teachers to communicate with parents, and the types of…

Describes an inservice session that included informal lunch discussions with nonteachers who had experience relevant to the inservice topic. (MCG)

A school-business partnership between Monsanto Company and the Springfield Public Schools, Massachusetts, focuses on inservice teacher education. Seminar series equip teachers with current information on the technological revolution. (CJH)

Cross-cultural experiences must be a vital part of the teacher's preparation and professional growth. Educational travel is not just pleasurable; it is absolutely necessary to develop the international understanding and perspective needed. (Author)

Suggests a model of successful inservice education involving three major factors. Teachers must acquire knowledge, acquire skills or competencies, and undergo practical experiences that require application of the knowledge and skills. The implications of the model for teachers of exceptional children are particularly important. (PGD)

Innovation insurance involves planning in order to avoid pitfalls. When adopting microcomputers, this means answering 10 preliminary questions, appointing a coordinator of computer services, and arranging inservice teacher training. (Author/JM)

Research review suggests that parent involvement in middle school and high school has positive effect on the academic success of students. Proposes strategies for middle and high school principals to recruit parent and community volunteers and to train teachers to work with volunteers. (Contains 23 references.) (PKP)

Literature is presented maintaining that principals can promote educational change by diagnosing and remedying the organizational health of their schools. A guide for examining levels of organizational health is given and an inservice training model discussed. (MJL)

Describes the implementation of and provides guidelines for duplicating a successful program replacing traditional inservice education approaches with a series of 12 lunchtime presentations over a school year. The program avoids teachers' end-of-the-day fatigue, permits long-term inservice planning, and provides a break from the routine. (PGD)

This article presents suggestions for enhancing the success of inservice programs, with particular attention to the need for adequate follow-through. Issues addressed include selection of topics, specification of goals, adequate planning and support, and thorough preparation of those responsible for program development. (PGD)

A study that evaluated the effectiveness of formal and informal needs assessment procedures found them equally valid in ascertaining information for planning staff development programs. (MD)

An interview program developed as a part of the Career Education Project in the Robbinsdale (Minn.) school district paid off in more ways than one. Describes a significant side effect of the program. (Editor/RK)

Presents eight objectives developed in the Shoreham-Wading River School District, Shoreham, New York, for the students in the National Writing Project. (JW)

Describes the ideal qualities of teachers in small schools, and explains how to recruit ideal teachers and how to provide inservice training for those who are less than ideal. (JM)