The contexts in which language teaching and learning occurs have changed significantly in the last decade. The challenges and opportunities inherent in these shifting contexts necessitate substantive changes in the typical practice of many world language educators. However, the "explain, train, and maintain" approaches commonly used in…

This paper describes a retreat, "Leadership without Easy Answers," which was held for leaders in the arts community. It examines whether the retreat had a positive impact on the leadership work of the participants, and it discusses ways that the retreat influenced leadership development in arts advocacy. Attending the retreat were…

This paper describes the signature role played by accomplished, experienced teachers in professional learning communities, and the importance that these practitioners make their teaching public and shared. In so doing, the authors describe how accomplished practices can be shared between classrooms and between practitioners with varying levels of…

Many efforts in providing training programs for parents of handicapped children have not provided for adequate parental input. Implications of reviewing previous efforts in advocacy programs indicate a need to develop a more systematic approach in both obtaining information on parental involvement as child advocates and in developing training…

This study investigated (1) whether or not the institute was accomplishing its objectives to upgrade science and mathematics teachers' competency and to remove academic deficiencies due to inadequate or inefficient academic training and (2) whether the objectives of the institute were based on valid assumptions. The study population consisted of…

Agricultural leadership program graduates from 1982-2001 (n=290) and eight were interviewed. Survey results showed self-reported changes in knowledge and behavior. However, although they were aware of the importance of rural community development, they were not serving as community leaders nor actively improving their communities. (Contains 25…

Peter Senge's (1990) theory of organizational change includes teams that perceive the whole of the organization; grow professionally; navigate short- and long-term organizational experiences through exposed mental models; share a vision; and hear each voice in an ongoing communal learning process. The Margaret Sue Copenhaver Institute for Teaching…

This paper will describe results concerning the impact of the PD on the three primary study outcomes: teacher knowledge of rational number topics, teacher instructional practices, and student achievement in rational number topics. All analyses are completed. However, the results cannot be shared at this time because the report is currently under…

Two experiments involving four mothers of seven autistic children (4 to 13 years old) were conducted to assess the generalized effects of several different parent/teacher training programs. (Author/SBH)

Staff of the Title VII Bilingual Education Training Institute for Administrators cite administrator support and involvement as critical in the success of bilingual programs. Methods for implementing appropriate administrator training programs include a rationale for training, selection of participants, planning (scheduling), content selection,…

Describes the growth of the Bay Area Writing Project into the National Writing Project, whose 80 regional programs share the goal of improving the teaching of written composition in grades K through l3 through inservice teacher education. Presents evaluative information on this model. (Author/SJL)

AN EVALUATION WAS CONDUCTED OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE FIRST SUMMER'S ADVANCED INSTITUTES IN GEOGRAPHY PROGRAMS, WHICH WILL SERVE AS A GUIDE TO THE DESIGN AND OPERATION OF FUTURE INSTITUTES. A TEAM OF NINE EVALUATORS VISITED 20 OF THE 40 INSTITUTES AND FOCUSED THEIR EVALUATION ON (1) EFFECTIVENESS OF COMMITMENT, PERSONNEL, AND GEOGRAPHICAL…

This study evaluated the effectiveness of mathematics inservice training for elementary teachers delivered in the longer-term institute format. The goal of the institute was to improve teachers' ability to provide meaningful, effective mathematics instruction to elementary school children. Specifically the investigators sought answers to the…

The accomplishments of the Educational Cooperative Service Unit of the Metropolitan Twin Cities Area (Minnesota) are described. The unit serves a seven-county metropolitan area, 13 associate member agencies, and 48 member public school districts and provides effective programs for school and educational personnel. During the 1985-86 school year,…

This paper explores the National Writing Project model as it relates to enhancing the professionalism of teachers. It traces the historical development of the National Writing Project (NWP). describes the practices of the NWP summer institutes, and provides an analysis of teachers' satisfaction with their experiences in the summer institutes.…