To determine why so little research has been done on the effectiveness of programs designed to link instructional improvement and faculty development, this paper describes the characteristics of various programs and provides general recommendations about the necessary elements of effective faculty development programs. (SLD)

Two experiments investigated the ability of 10 children with congenital blindness, 16 with residual vision, and 33 sighted children to estimate distances from a tactile map. Results found the children with visual impairments performed less well than sighted children; however, after training in how to calculate distances they improved. (Author/CR)

Management development programs should be considered a way to reenergize organizations. Their effectiveness should be measured by managers' intention to use new knowledge. Barriers to new actions should be minimized and the practice of new actions/skills reinforced so they become continuous and long term. (SK)

Presents multiple perspectives on an innovative teacher education partnership. Considers meaningful roles professional theatres can play in theatre teacher education programs. Discerns that teachers in the formative stages of their careers are in an ideal position to accept and practice the innovative approach to teaching and learning presented.…

Schools are experimenting with community service programs. Among these are service-based intervention programs for at-risk children and K-12 curricula of community service. Cites examples, the characteristics of effective programs, and proposed federal legislation. (MLF)

The author recommends an approach to public management studies that teaches how public management affects the quality of citizens' lives. Using examples from the literature on schools, prisons, and armies, he argues that public management studies should attempt to specify what ends given public organizations ought to achieve and how best to…

Explores the processes through which unemployment groups were established and the significance of their activities. Self-help groups were joined by community development workers and the outcome was an integration of educational, individual, and community needs. (JOW)

The article looks at issues of implementing the curriculum development process for gifted learners as it has been implemented in Gary, Indiana. Implementation is seen as an ongoing part of staff development, monitoring, and evaluation. Elements of success such as teacher involvement in decision making are identified. (DB)

Critically reviews mentoring for new British principals, focusing on program characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages. Mentoring facilitates peer support, helps newcomers make necessary role identity changes, and encourages reflective practice. There are problems with pairing practitioners and mentors, passing on outmoded advice, and…

Discusses the implementation and evaluation of a program designed to introduce student portfolios in place of formal assessments at a university preschool. Parents of an experimental group of 20 students who constructed portfolios had a better understanding of the preschool program's cognitive and academic components than parents of a control…

Describes the establishment, promotion, and five-year progress of a postadoption service in Hampshire, England. (SW)

Strategies for making the best use of time at a conference or other professional development activity include suggestions for thorough pretrip planning, travel, attending sessions, getting the most from exhibits, using the conference situation to make contacts or gather information, keeping track of family and personal concerns, and preparing to…

Describes the Parents as Teachers (PAT) program, a parent-education program that includes home visiting and reports the results of evaluations of two randomized trials of PAT. Results from one of the studies suggested that home visits produced about a one-month developmental advantage per 10 visits for participating children. (SLD)

Evaluation of programs at 21 sites, involving 4,410 families participating in the Comprehensive Child Development Program, a two-generation program using case management and home visiting, found no statistically significant impact on program families compared with control families for any assessed domain. Results do not support the effectiveness…

Review of clinical studies providing empirical data on stress management programs in medical education found that student participants in such programs demonstrated improved immunologic functioning, decreased depression and anxiety, increased spirituality and empathy, enhanced knowledge of alternative therapies, improved knowledge of stress…