Competence models have evolved into a link between organizational strategy and organizational and individual performance. Training professionals use them to synthesize individual capabilities and organizational core competencies. Educators and policymakers use them to link workplace requirements to educational programs and curricula. (SK)

Discusses ways to help prevent crime and violence in schools by predicting risk, and training and planning for security. Highlights signs of potential violence in students. Highlights ways of guarding against bomb threats, use of preventive technology, sources for security information, and community characteristics where prevention, intervention,…

Summarizes a study applying a focus interviewing technique to assist stakeholders with evaluating a 3-day staff-development training with monthly follow up sessions. Contrasts use of surveys and focus-group interviews as assessment tools. New information gained from focus groups helped the principal identify weaknesses in the staff-development…

In this age of accountability, evaluation must become an integral part of staff development. This paper describes what evaluation is; the three types of evaluation (planning, formative, and summative); and the five critical stages of staff development evaluation. It presents 12 guidelines for improving the quality of professional-development…

It is important to dispel myths that pervade current professional-development planning and establish and follow specific guidelines for effectively using additional professional-development time. The paper dispels three major myths that diminish the effectiveness of professional-development planning and offers four guidelines for ensuring wise use…

Presents a professional-development template to help increase teachers' growth, satisfaction, and motivation. Programs should offer small, significant doses of user-friendly, high- challenge, low-threat, and hands-on activities that encourage teachers to construct their own knowledge, reflect on their practices, and try new approaches. (MLH)

Lawrence (Kansas) Public Schools has discovered that four components--clear expectations, focus on results, effective support systems, and good modeling--have substantially helped staff keep pace with constant societal and educational changes. The program's success may be attributed to six components: a professional development council,…

Although school districts are turning to consultants for help with everything from computer networks to risk management, school reform experts are especially popular. Increasingly, schools are asking consultants to serve as "critical friends" in staff development and teacher-evaluation reform programs. Shortcomings stem from consultants'…

Examines, in four Texas districts, changes in teacher practices related to adoption of the new literature-based basal programs. Surveys over 250 teachers statewide; focuses on 14 teachers in depth. Finds (1) teachers changed practices from year one to year two; (2) teachers' epistemological orientations determined how they responded to changes in…

Offers and explains three pieces of advice for using the Internet in language arts classes: become a student (have students train teachers to use the Internet and have student interns in computer rooms to assist teachers); "morph into a cybrarian" (create an on-line library of World Wide Web links related to class projects); and empower students.…

The Lawrence (Kansas) Public School District has a federally funded, three-site 21st Century Community Learning Center (including two elementary schools and one junior high school.) that offers academic, cultural, social, and recreational activities during after-school hours. Staff receives training aligned with students' diverse needs and…

Discusses the role of stacks support staff and student assistants in providing point-of-use assistance and instruction in Oregon State University's library. A user's survey is described; staff training is explained; and survey instruments and Stack Maintenance Team recommendations are appended. (LRW)

Describes how an institution seeking to improve its course quality can conduct a collective self-evaluation based on an internally designed checklist. The article maintains that this self-evaluation may be used to prepare for an external inspection or built into the institution's on-going program of staff development. (nine references) (Author/CK)

Offers case studies of best training practices in leading companies (AEtna, Andersen Worldwide, Boeing, Digital Equipment, Tektronix, Texas Instruments, Allstate, and Sprint), elected by the Benchmarking Forum of the American Society for Training and Development. The practices are technology based and performance oriented and herald common…

Shawnee Mission, Kansas, schools' technology plan includes a 4-person training staff and a $300,000 budget to make sure teachers will be ready to use high-tech tools in their classrooms. All teachers in the Harlingen, Texas, district are loaned a laptop computer for the duration of their employment with the district. (MLF)