A study of five high-poverty districts making strides in improving student achievement revealed that these districts focused on systemwide strategies including new approaches to professional development; making decisions based on data, not instinct; and redefining leadership roles. (MLF)

Evaluated the Model Education Center (MEC) Professional Development School after 15 years of existence. Focus group data were collected from teachers at the MEC. Results found that 15 years after implementation, the MEC's core beliefs of collaboration, reflective thinking, risk taking, and continuous learning were still reflected in the climates…

Two recent initiatives to promote science and technology education in schools are compared: specialist "technology colleges" (secondary schools) in England and the Science and Technology Teacher Fellowship scheme in New Zealand. The schemes are examined within their respective policy contexts and are evaluated as responses to challenges…

Outlines self-enrichment activities for faculty, administrators, and students that can improve working conditions and promotion opportunities, e.g., getting a personal business card, developing a contacts list, examining the institution, conducting research on classroom and business trends, joining "power organizations," and making a master…

The North Carolina Teacher Performance Appraisal System (TPAS) and a pilot career development program were studied via a survey of 1,998 teachers and 338 evaluators. Overall reaction to the TPAS and its evaluation instrument was positive, with teachers agreeing that the procedures for formative and summative evaluations are feasible. (SLD)

Describes events leading to the establishment of four urban professional development schools (PDS) by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Public Schools. School sites, university/school district interaction, preservice student activities, and schoolwide change projects are described. Results of a survey of site teachers on PDS…

Describes the Iowa State University School Improvement Model approach to staff development, which uses the Computer Assisted Teacher Evaluation/Supervision (CATE/S) database program to help staff developers address critical issues. CATE/S can maintain performance evaluation data, suggest improvement strategies for teachers, and document staff…

Examines the roles and competencies of community college chief executive officers (CEO's). Discusses aspects of leadership and followership, and leader-follower interchange. Urges CEO's to assess themselves as leaders, identify and provide for the training of future leaders through planned mentoring and professional development. (DMM)

Describes a survey of psychology department chairpersons at private four-year undergraduate colleges with enrollments between 200 and 2500, concerning the nature and impact of activities that psychologists perform for professional advancement. Implications for employment in a small college and teacher burnout in that environment are discussed. (KO)

A survey of Arizona principals covered topics related to school media specialists: (1) the importance of specific librarian skills; (2) use of evaluation instruments to judge librarians; (3) communication between librarians and principals; (4) professional development opportunities; (5) how librarians should and do spend their time; and (6)…

A survey investigated demographic factors, work conditions, professional and career development, the effect of teacher on social and family lives, and relationships with parents, students, fellow teachers, and administrative personnel as factors in teacher resignation. Differences in male and female perceptions were also examined. (MSE)

Reports on the Third International Social Studies Conference held in Nairobi, Kenya, in 1994. Focuses on the need for an international thrust on environmental education. Discusses efforts by seven African nations to develop a common basic social studies text on curriculum and methods. (CFR)

This study examined workplace satisfaction, decision making and institutional participation of minority women faculty. Findings suggest minority women are somewhat satisfied with certain dimensions of the workplace but do perceive themselves to be excluded from institutional contexts that would promote their professional advancement. (BF)

An investigation of graduate students' perceptions (n=32) of the effectiveness of a three-part videotape series on group work, "Group Work: Leading in the Here and Now," was conducted. In general, the videotape series was perceived positively. Implications for counselor educators are discussed. (Author/JBJ)

Discussion of the development of the discourse of diversity highlights a report from the Librarian's Association of the University of California that addressed cultural diversity in academic libraries. Topics discussed include developing culturally diverse collections; access; reference services; bibliographic instruction; and recruitment,…