The purposes and potentials of teacher centers are discussed. (JD)

In order for teacher centers to develop programs and activities appropriate to the needs of their target populations, a detailed and accurate representation, as well as ongoing evaluation of the center operation must be maintained. A data base must be established that encompasses the accurate portrayal of daily operations in order to facilitate…

Effective needs assessment is not an end in itself but a continuing means of meeting the needs of students and teachers. It is an integral part of other activities such as planning, operating, and evaluating school programs and teacher center activities. The key to comprehensive needs assessment is the support and cooperation of the teachers,…

This document describes an organizational structure and processes for planning, coordinating and implementing staff development activities. It is meant as a guide or tool for individuals and agencies involved in professional development of school staffs. It is divided into six major sections: (1) definition of terms used in the document; (2)…

As a collection of articles this book is intended for use as a guide for planning and building teacher centers. The beginning articles tell how a combination of convictions, experience, high energy, and happenstance formed the first American teacher centers. The next several articles focus on practical matters such as staffing, needs assessment,…

This report describes the second phase of a teacher learning cooperative project designed to coordinate the economic, physical, and human resources of a number of small elementary school districts in California and the Marin County Superintendent of Schools Office. Whereas the first phase dealt with the formation and implementation of the…

The priorities to be considered in implementing state support for teacher centers are examined. New legislation in some states requires that state boards of education actively support teacher centers. The following areas of activity are suggested as focal points to guide state education departments in complying with legislative mandates: (1)…

This report describes the second phase of a teacher learning cooperative project designed to coordinate the economic, physical, and human resources of a number of small elementary school districts in California and the Marin County Superintendent of Schools Office. Whereas the first phase dealt with the formation and implementation of the…

This report contains the observations made by a trio of external evaluators who conducted an on-site evaluation of the Columbus Teacher Center. A wide range of educational evaluation areas were explored. The report represents a description of current practices, strengths, concerns, and recommendations as viewed by the evaluation team. Educational…

An in-depth study of teacher centers in Alaska, Montana, Oregon, Idaho, and Washington was conducted. The purpose of the study was to document similarities and differences in approaches, development, successes, and failures and to share collective experiences. This book is divided into three sections. The first section presents descriptive…

The Teacher Education Center Act (TEC Act) of 1973 provided Florida with a statewide system of centers intended to bring about reform in teacher education programs. The act mandated the responsibility for operating programs of preservice and inservice teacher education jointly to the colleges and universities, the school districts, and the…

A model was designed for staff development in a small school district comprised of 1300 students, 86 teachers, five administrators, and one elementary, one middle, and one high school. The central unit of the model is the Inservice Continuing Education Committee (ICEC). Membership in the ICEC includes representatives from the school, the school…

A description of the staff development program in the Dade County (Florida) Public School District is presented. The remarks focus on many elements of the program including needs assessment for staff training, the use of television in various capacities, supplementing the expense of continuing education for teachers and administrators, incentive…

It is proposed that in considering teachers' professional development, emphasis should be placed on teacher assessment as an intergral part of the developmental process, encompassing the total career of the teacher. An overview of the history of teacher evaluation is provided, as well as a review of background literature on professional…

The St. Louis Missouri Teachers Center Minigrant Program provides funds (up to $750.00) for individuals to use in developing specific educational projects. A study was made on what impact a minigrant program had on project developers and the educational systems they served. Data were collected through participant observation, recorded interviews,…