In response to education reform mandates, rewards and incentives such as career ladder and master teacher programs are being designed to break lock-step salary schedules and to retain competent teachers. While these "pay-for-performance" plans seem acceptable to taxpayers, few realize that such approaches have already been tried and…

The validity of classroom research literature, centering on content, methodology, and audience, and the appraisal process for teachers are examined. Those engaged in classroom observation should be aware of the limitations of research. The concept of action research provides an alternative to the study of teachers and classrooms that recognizes…

In order to evaluate the M.Ed. in Reading Program at William Paterson College (New Jersey), a study surveyed 56 recent graduates of the program for their responses to three questions: (1) How do graduates evaluate the total program and its components? (2) How "professional" are the graduates? and (3) How well do graduates do in the…

This report had its origins in a request by the Council of the National Academy of Engineering to its Education Advisory Board (EAB) to consider selected aspects of the fundamental structure of engineering education. There was professional agreement that probably the least effective and appreciated aspect of engineering education was that which…

The Utah Career Ladder System was evaluated, in an effort to provide policy options for Phase II of the Career Ladder implementation in Utah and present policy recommendations. Five major data collection efforts were made: (1) analysis of district career ladder plans from 1985-86 through 1987-88; (2) a telephone survey of Utah's 40 superintendents…

The role of the legal community in ensuring school safety is discussed, and effective antischool-crime programs involving attorneys and judges are described. Introductory passages comment on the overall role of courts and lawyers in education, the current national concern over crime and violence in schools, and national and California initiatives…

The Specials Projects (Innovations) Program of the Commonwealth Schools Commission in Australia was established to improve primary and secondary education by encouraging innovation and diversity in teaching through grants to individuals, usually teachers. This study focuses on the professional development of the teachers involved. Forty-five…

Meaningful and useful evaluations of teaching and teachers must not only identify and define all the mitigating contexts, but must also account for their influences, both constructive and negative. Among the contextual factors that need to be considered in planning teacher evaluations are: student characteristics; goals, objectives and curriculum…

A faceted classification scheme was developed for use as the conceptual foundation of two surveys which were conducted in order to gain a current and comprehensive picture of continuing library education (CLE) in North Carolina. The scheme structured a database that, when computerized, will allow flexible search capabilities and easy updating. In…

This booklet discusses the organization, competence, and motivation that make part-time instructors effective. It shows part-time teachers ways to develop motivation, prepare for each class, conduct sound and enjoyable courses, and find the most useful ways to build their skills. The booklet is organized in four chapters that cover the following…

A project identified training competencies performed by human resource specialists and determined competencies that needed further professional development. It used this information to assess the adequacy of the training programs of the University of Tennessee's Department of Technological and Adult Education and to determine the feasibility of…

This manual gives teachers information about the score reports they receive after participating in the Tennessee Career Ladder evaluation process. It also contains a discussion of the scoring and equating process used to calculate the results. The score report consists of the following: (1) a summary; (2) results by domain; (3) results by…

The process used to evaluate progress in identifying the goals to be used in evaluating teacher performance under the Kentucky Career Ladder Program is described. The process pertains to two areas of teacher development: (1) professional growth and development, and (2) professional leadership and initiative. A total of 1,650 individuals were asked…

The effect of participation in interdisciplinary general education programs on personal and professional development of faculty was investigated at Denison University (Ohio), Earlham College (Indiana), and Kenyon College (Ohio). Faculty members teaching interdisciplinary general education courses in these private liberal arts colleges were…

In 1985 Georgia adopted the Quality Basic Education Act that requires local school systems to provide all public school officials and personnel the opportunity to continue their development throughout their professional careers. A formula was set for State funding of professional development programs. The Act also required each local school system…