If a programme were to be devised for the early-career development of science teachers, what might such a programme look like? This was the focus of a meeting of science educators interested in developing such a structure, from the start of initial teacher training onwards. The contributions, modified and written up here, include a suggested…

This article continues the conversation about librarian sabbatical participation. Analyses are based on quantitative and qualitative data gathered using an online questionnaire. While numerical results show little change in sabbatical participation over time, respondents had much to say about this topic. The author highlights common themes using…

Exploring the development of excellent teachers could contribute to the revision of current practices in faculty recruitment, evaluation, workload expectations, and reward systems. This grounded theory study examined the professional careers of nine award-winning faculty members of a faith-based institution of higher education. The data, collected…

As part of her recent sabbatical, the author proposed going to the University of Michigan Bentley Archives to do research on Fred Newton Scott, founder and chair of the Department of Rhetoric and teacher from 1889 to 1926 at the University of Michigan. Scott ran the only graduate program in rhetoric and composition in the country between those…

This article reports and interprets the findings of a study of headteachers' views and perceptions of continuing professional development (CPD) provision and their ongoing CPD needs and priorities, carried out in 2007 in Scotland, involving headteachers from the primary and secondary sectors. Topic areas in which headteachers generally were most…

The first academic sabbatical was introduced at Harvard in 1880. In recent years, commercial enterprises have also identified workplace benefit programs as "sabbaticals." Benshoff and Spruill (2002), whose own study investigated the success of sabbaticals for counseling professors, also indicate an increased interest in the sabbatical's potential…

A 5-year evaluation revealed positive outcomes of two nursing continuing education programs: a sabbatical program providing funding for completion of education/research projects and a nursing scholar program funding professional development. Knowledge and skills increased and the hospital practice environment was improved. (SK)

A study of women's access to professional development leave in Australia suggests that the unequal position already held by women in the academic hierarchy is contributed to and maintained by unequal eligibility for leave, and that the burden then falls disproportionately on women to fill in for other faculty on leave. (MSE)

Two questionnaires were sent to all school boards and a sample of teachers in Ontario to assess how receptive boards and teachers are to job sharing as an alternative work pattern in schools affected by declining enrollment. The report gives the background of the concept of job sharing and an analysis of the benefits, work situations, and problems…

Within a framework attempting to be at once idealistic and fiscally responsible, this paper assesses the effect of declining enrollment in Ontario on professional development and presents a comprehensive proposal that includes a flexible working model. The study is based on personal experience combined with a thorough search of the current…

Seeks to identify and reach consensus on criteria that can be used to assess and evaluate faculty sabbaticals. Using a sample of senior academic affairs administrators, 16 assessment criteria were identified, with recommendations made for further research and current practice. The measures included: increased scholarly output, new research…

An evaluation of the instructional development program at the University of North Dakota (UND) over the first 2 years, and 1981-1982 (second year) expenditure data, are presented. The program, which provides resources for improved instruction and professional development of UND faculty members as teachers, involves direct service, grants, and…

A report of the Texas Ad Hoc Committee on Faculty Compensation is presented, and recommendations of the Texas Coordinating Board, based on the work of the Ad Hoc Committee, are offered. Additionally, a companion document dated January 30, 1981, includes the text of presentations at an October hearing, an analysis of retirement and group insurance…

The development of resources for improved instruction and professional development of University of North Dakota faculty members, which was funded by the Bush Foundation, is reviewed. The primary grant activity was the creation of an Office of Instructional Development and the expansion of existing efforts to enhance the quality of instruction at…