Describes conceptual framework for mini-series on mental health programming. Model includes five components considered to be critical for comprehensive and effective programming. Components include: action research, ecological perspective of program development, collaborative/participatory approach, prevention to treatment via mental health…

This literature review shows the efficacy of teacher inservice program planning. It also suggests that involvement in planning produces a positive attitude toward inservice programs that can lead to the development of greater teacher effectiveness. The literature reveals a reluctance among administrators and staff development people to fully…

A review of literature on service learning in higher education suggests ways in which colleges and universities can support faculty's involvement in this approach to education. Issues discussed include recruitment of faculty to teach service courses, barriers and inhibitors to teacher motivation, faculty development strategies, and changes in…

Drawing from research and practice, this article describes some benefits of interdisciplinary curriculum, identifies implementation barriers, and underscores the principal's pivotal role. Each principal must be visionary and knowledgeable; function as cheerleader and coach; and provide opportunities for teachers, students, and parents to develop…

In order to provide credit-bearing programs directed toward the specific in-service needs and concerns of elementary and secondary teachers and administrators, schools, colleges and departments of education are at last beginning to utilize much needed input concerning professor selection, the type of credit activity, scheduling activities, and…

A definition of staff development/inservice education is given. Problem areas concerning the inservice education activities of professional organizations include: (1) the balance of political influences on inservice education; (2) a desire for control of inservice education on the part of teachers instead of collaboration; and (3) an increasing…

The goal of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Educational Research and Dissemination Program was to establish a model for dissemination of educational research to classroom teachers. Research findings focusing on classroom management and teacher effectiveness were translated to individual teachers by Teacher Research Linkers (TRLs) who had…

The University of Guelph's Office for Educational Practice, an administrative unit for instructional development that relies on faculty volunteer leadership and participation, is described and discussed in the context of research on improvement of instructional effectiveness. (MSE)

An effective inservice teacher education program was found to have the characteristics of: (1) immediate applicability to the classroom; (2) use of teacher input; (3) curriculum change and innovation; and (4) provisions for ongoing, continuous evaluation. (JN)

This review examines 97 studies and evaluation reports of teacher inservice education and generalizes about the characteristics of successful programs. The studies were classified into 14 categories, seven of which represent pairs of conflicting values about how inservice education should be structured. These categories classed activities…

Reviews recent trends in the development and implementation of performance-based incentive programs for teachers and administrators. Looks at program control, administrator and teacher involvement, time frames used, criteria for career advancement, evaluation methods employed, effects of funding on implementation, and program evaluation. Considers…

This report contains reviews of relevant Australian literature and of inservice teacher education programs in Australia and in other countries. The first part of this report describes the origin and objectives of the Western Australian In-Service Teacher Education Project. In the report's second section, trends in the definition of inservice…

If school choice options take place in school systems across the country, challenging opportunities may exist for the teaching profession. Analyzes the development of school choice plans by teachers and examines the impact of this process on the professionalization of teachers. Describes gains in teacher involvement, decision making, and autonomy.…

Communication and openness seem to have a major impact on relationships. The scope of communication activity undertaken by many university schools of education includes workshops and institutes, periodic meetings, print and other media, demonstrations, and formal and informal training. In all activities, these schools have a responsibility to the…

For this overview of the extent and feasibility of practitioner involvement in professional improvement, practitioners are defined as school-based professionals--teachers, aides, resource specialists, and administrators. Current thought on the need for these individuals to play major roles as decision makers in developing inservice programs is…