Portfolios are increasingly being used to demonstrate competence and to show development needs among employees in organizations. This book explains what a portfolio is and how it links with the current training revolution taking place through the introduction of National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) in Great Britain. It shows how portfolios…

TEAMS Distance Learning is an Educational Telecommunications Network service of the Los Angeles County Office of Education (California). It provides live, interactive instructional telecasts for students in grades two through six and their teachers and parents across the United States and in Canada. This evaluation summary consists of an overview…

The need to respond to changing student clientele, new educational technologies, and increasing demands to do more with fewer resources presents serious challenges for two-year college faculty and can negatively effect faculty vitality and commitment. Faculty vitality, however, has been shown to be significantly related to the vitality and…

This practical handbook focuses on interpersonal skills that will increase the effectiveness of recent library school graduates, paraprofessional librarians, and aides who have assumed the role of managing small public or school libraries. It describes numerous techniques that librarians can use to become better leaders and offers specific…

These 4 issues of the English Leadership Quarterly comprise volume 16, published during 1994. Articles in number 1 deal with practical advice, and include: "The Law of Privacy and the Writing Teacher" (Ben T. Allen); Beware of Teachers Who Laminate Their Lesson Plans and Other Useful Suggestions about Teaching" (Robert Perrin);…

This paper deals with the policy parameters of establishing distance education networks in New Zealand. The current decentralized educational system is described, including the role of the state through the Ministry of Education, funding and resource allocations, and staffing. Discussion includes the contracting out to third parties for the…

As part of a project to improve professional development for adult basic and literacy educators in Pennsylvania, a literature review was conducted of studies of professional competencies needed by adult educators. Extensive review of previous studies showed that hundreds of competencies had been identified. Some states also had generated their own…

This brief discusses some of the results and conclusions from the Professional Development Project of the National Institute for Science Education (NISE). The project was intended to explore whether the science, mathematics, and professional development communities share a common understanding of what professional learning experiences look like…

Technology is the subject of so much attention in education today, first, because of its prevalence; second, because it promises to provide education at lower cost; and third, because technology can help some people to participate more easily in education, to learn more effectively, and to enjoy learning more. Although there are problems connected…

School counselors refer to themselves as professionals who provide services to clients. Nonetheless, a critical examination of perceptions and roles is necessary before this assertion can be accepted. The purpose of this study is twofold: (1) to examine the extent to which school counseling in Queensland, Australia is considered a profession, and…

This report provides brief descriptions of a variety of community and educational programs for children and families with special needs, especially at the early childhood level in Vermont. Part 1 describes six programs characterized as community/regional-state partnerships. Part 2 describes family-centered resources, supports, and services,…

In preparation for a 1996 restructuring at State Community College, in Illinois, from a state agency to an independent community college, a project was undertaken to develop a strategic plan to guide the transition. Specifically, the project sought to determine the necessary elements of and functions and activities required by the plan,…

This workshop discussion paper addresses the issue of professionalism in school-age care. After explaining that "professionalism" means different things to different people and offering a brief history of professionalism, the paper provides a working definition of a professional: Someone who operates out of a theory base, someone who not…

The progress report on implementation of the 1993-1994 Massachusetts plan for professional development covers four goals: (1) work with members of the educational community to establish state professional development priorities and identify resources; (2) assist school districts to create coherence among state, district, school, and individual…

This report reviews the opinions of the National Education Association (NEA) and the approaches taken by and concerns of employee associations that are state affiliates of the NEA. The NEA supports the concept of charters if appropriate standards are upheld and appropriate practices are enforced. The energy and enthusiasm being brought to the…