In today's results-oriented, fast-moving business environment, it is critical for trainers to demonstrate the value of training to the organization: There is nothing inherently valuable about training. It is performance gains that training catalyzes that give it worth (Graber, 2000). This is why evaluations tied to business results are becoming…

This publication is intended as a practical resource to assist school-based teams in effective implementation of the new provisions to the Individuals with Disabilities Education (IDEA) Act. Chapters include: (1) "The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997: Implications for School-Based Teams" (Mitchell L. Yell,…

This collection of materials from Project CATALIST (Collaborative Accommodations Training Accenting Local Instructional Strategies and Technology) contains the grant performance report for continuation funding of fiscal year 1997 and final reports from the different partners of the project. The project was a three-year collaborative effort of the…

James Cook University, Queensland, Australia (JCU) and Malaspina University College, British Columbia (MUC) have developed a partnership model for the delivery of JCU's Masters degree in education in rural studies. The course was delivered via distance education from MUC. Program evaluation was conducted via questionnaires returned by 25 students…

There is a national trend toward using teacher teams and collaboration to solve various learning and behavioral problems. Teacher collaboration is necessary because of teacher shortages, especially in special education, and increasing diversity in student needs. Collaboration is especially important in rural schools because of the need to share…

This packet contains four papers on organizational structure and strategy from a symposium on human resource development (HRD). The first paper, "Exploring Alignment: A Comparative Case Study of Alignment in Two Organizations" (Steven W. Semler), reports on a case study that compared the results of an alignment measurement instrument…

Sixteen rural K-12 regular education teachers from West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania completed a certification program focusing on inclusive practices for successful integration of special education into regular education classrooms. Data on competency acquisition and use were collected prior to participation and 6 months following…

The purpose of this document is to identify the major issues related to Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and state education agency (SEA) general supervision roles and responsibilities in implementing IDEA by building on the work of the MPRRC through an analysis of information obtained from interviewing representatives of both the BIA and five SEAs.…

The Institute for Personal and Career Development of Central Michigan University has been administering graduate external degree programs for eight years. A survey of graduates is discussed that reveals: satisfaction with program, personal and career development, and accomplishment of educational goals and objectives of program. (Author/MLW)

Describes a science program designed to attract children to science through an extended study of biology. Presents a detailed description of the various professional development activities and the results of the formative evaluation of the program. (DDR)

A distance education program in mental health was delivered to 31 rural health professionals in Western Australia who dealt with mentally ill patients at the primary level. Evaluation on completion and 4 months postprogram indicated that participants learned mental health management regimes, developed mental health assessment skills, improved…

A graduate program component that assigned mentors to preservice special education teachers of students with severe disabilities is described. Characteristics of effective mentoring programs, the mentoring needs of preservice teachers of students with severe disabilities, and the mentorship program components are discussed. An evaluation of the…

One of four articles in the fourth section, "Aspects of Evaluation of PDS," this article calls for improved definitions of professional development schools; analyses of startup and ongoing costs (including determination of where the money will come from); and development of PDS standards for improved evaluation (including standards by which they…

The North Carolina Teacher Performance Appraisal System (TPAS) and a pilot career development program were studied via a survey of 1,998 teachers and 338 evaluators. Overall reaction to the TPAS and its evaluation instrument was positive, with teachers agreeing that the procedures for formative and summative evaluations are feasible. (SLD)

Reports on the results from a comprehensive review of instructional practices in reading and writing elementary classrooms in Chelsea (Massachusetts) followed by a review of the corrective actions taken via the Boston University/Chelsea Public Schools Partnership and their outcomes. Children's classroom performance in reading and writing is…