Research shows that children benefit when they are served by stable and highly trained center-based staff and caregivers. Responding to the unequal distribution of child-care supply across the state and a need for well-trained caregivers, First 5 California approved an initiative to train early care and education (ECE) staff using different…

How can a school become a place where all members of the staff are learning, growing, and working to increase student achievement? The answer lies in systems thinking and a focus on continuous improvement, two concepts that can transform staff development from something that people merely tolerate to something that they actively pursue to create…

This book builds a case for the importance of the learning environment as functional, inviting, and enabling for children. Chapter 1, "A pressing need: why display and environment for learning matter," introduces the book, discusses a strategy for staff development, suggests points to consider when surveying the school, and talks about involving…

This paper describes summative evaluation of the Quest project conducted at four case-study schools. The schools were selected for their high involvement in Quest, varied interpretations and uses of the project, and diverse locations and demographic constitutions. Data collection included participant observation, individual and semistructured…

This facilitator's manual goes with a training module for inexperienced elementary classroom assistant teachers, which provides information on what their job consists of, what is occurring in American elementary schools, and possibilities for paraeducators. Part 1, "Preparing for Training," includes a checklist for paraeducator training, morning…

If school improvement efforts are to succeed, it seems clear that institutions of higher education, school districts, and state education agencies must work together to create new strategies, incentives, and options that will promote educators' learning of the new practices and perspectives that will change the core of educational practice. The…

The basic ideas of the project described in this paper are to establish Internet connections to libraries in developing countries, to give access to information and to organize training of staff. Technical solutions with radio and microwave Internet connections have been established. Access to on-line journals has been established by the PERI…

The Soaring to Excellence staff development series of the College of DuPage provides the tools to empower library personnel in the workplace. Each teleconference in the series is supported by practical information, discussion questions, worksheets, and bibliographies. Students are provided with the opportunity to view and participate in three live…

Creating competence has become a major issue in organizations. Various authors contend that competency management has the potential of integrating organizational strategy, human-resource instruments, and human-resource development; that competency development can lead to performance improvement; and that it can help Human Resource Development…

A multi-year project was initiated to examine production equipment issues related to implementation of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). The purposes of the research project were to determine foodservice directors' opinions regarding use and appropriateness of equipment in school foodservice, to identify the number and variety of menu…

Described in this article are the unique staffing needs of alternative schools and the use of job candidates' personal choice in selecting staff members. (Editor)

A major difference between longitudinal in-service training and a more traditional approach was that each participating teacher was expected to apply in her classroom, under supervision, the concepts presented in the training program. (Authors)

Article describes one school system's approach to inservice and continuing education. (Authors)