The pressure to improve instruction and teacher effectiveness continues to grow in our nation's public elementary schools. As a means to achieve instructional improvements, school districts are increasingly adopting instructional coaching initiatives. This study explored instructional coaches' perspectives on their preparation for the role of…

Paraprofessional training is essential for high quality special education services. Yet, educators may struggle to select appropriate materials for paraprofessional training. A review was conducted of 26 paraprofessional training materials using a rubric designed to evaluate the alignment with federal legislation and professional standards, and…

The World Economic Forum (WEF) found that Botswana's information and communication technology (ICT) networked readiness index (NRI) had declined from position 89 in 2012 to 104 in 2015. A decline in Botswana's ICT NRI resulted in a modest gross domestic product (GDP) growth increasing from 4.2% in 2012 to 5.0% in 2015. The purpose of this…

Inner-city schools located in high poverty communities often operate with insufficient resources to meet the educational needs of students. Community residents serving as paraeducators offer the dual benefits of expanding instructional capacity and fostering family-school relationships, provided they are appropriately prepared and incorporated…

The use of assessment centers to measure management potential is reviewed. Included are standards against which to evaluate centers, problems with the system, why many training managers prefer assessment to tests and interviews, and points to consider when converting an assessment center process to a management development experience. (CT)

Research in the neurobiological, behavioral, and social sciences has dramatically increased our capacity to provide effective intervention for economically disadvantaged children. According to Neuman, however, U.S. policymakers have made little use of this body of research to improve the prospects of children at risk. This article discusses seven…

Describes a pilot staff development project at Christie School, a residential center with a capacity for 38 emotionally disturbed children. (RH)

The 1979 American Society of Training and Development (ASTD) President, Jan Margolis, discusses the organization's challenges and role. Identifies 1979-80 ASTD goals which cluster in four areas: representation and leadership in the human resource field, professionalism, member and leadership development, and maintaining a healthy organization.…

Maryland's third unobtrusive reference/information survey, which was conducted by an independent consulting firm, found that good reference service is a result of variables within each librarian's control. Training programs that were developed after previous surveys appear to have increased librarians' effectiveness. Findings of the survey are…

At least five topics are relevant to the professional development of school principals in Australia. First, the Deputy Principalship might well be considered an internship for guided experience in the skills of administration and in the art of leadership. Second, although programs of study in administration vary from institution to institution, a…

A brief description of the Department of Educational Information, its current activities in information science, and its training programs for staff involved in information science work. Education seminars available outside the department are also explained. (JAB)

Focuses on nine major activity areas of training and development: analyzing needs and evaluating results, developing training programs and materials, delivering training and development programs and services, advising and counseling, managing training activities, maintaining organization relationships, researching to advance the training field,…

Focuses on some important aspects of managing training activities, such as arranging program logistics, obtaining/hiring program resource people, preparing budgets and plans, training and supervising personnel and managing leadership. (CSS)

Argues for the implementation of mentoring programs for beginning teachers. Outlines theoretical and practical aspects of the concept of mentoring, mentor qualities and expectations, mentoring activities, and outcomes of mentoring. (HB)

The quality of services provided by a public welfare agency is directly related to the competency of its staff, which is, in turn, directly related to agency efforts to recruit and retain personnel and to provide for their continuing professional growth, for staff development. The importance of a staff development program in the agency…