Examines factors within newspaper organizations that affect how hard reporters work in covering campaigns: (1) the influence of organizational structure and (2) the journalist's concept of professionalism. (PD)

Explains how to design training programs in which the trainer and the work group collaborate on designing a program that produces agreed-upon behavioral changes in employee performance. The modified critical incident technique is a diagnostic tool which provides information concerning the cost effectiveness of education and training programs. (CT)

Offers a performance appraisal process for client and consultant to shape the way they work together. The process includes recruitment and marketing/proposal development, selection and acceptance procedures, setting objectives and determining performance standards, and incorporation of a continuous performance review. Checklists for managing…

A model to guide the search for types of performance deficiencies is set forth within the general framework of systems theory. Five types of problems, singly or in combination, are discussed as causes of deficiencies. (Author)

Recommends some specific actions to help school board members evaluate their superintendent's performance. Evaluation should be annual; it should be formal, objective, and ethical; and it should be linked to district improvement. By working effectively to improve personal performance and the district's overall effectiveness, the board and…

Displays responses from 540 organizations plus other recent surveys that show how much training is provided at what cost, types of courses provided, training staff, outsourcing, technological delivery methods, and human performance practices. Also looks at whether measures show that training is linked to performance. (JOW)

The validity of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) in predicting mechanical job performance was studied with 891 automotive and 522 helicopter mechanics. The mechanical maintenance component of the ASVAB predicted hands-on performance, job knowledge, and training grades quite well, but experience was more predictive of…

Multiple regression analyses of data from 143 public transportation drivers in Kenya indicated that driver experience and hours worked were significantly related to rates of traffic accidents. Educational level, training, salary, and average speed were not related. (Contains 45 references.) (SK)

Classroom observations and supervisor evaluations were made of 12 certified second-year secondary agriculture teachers. Agricultural education coursework and grade point average were predictive of teaching performance. None of seven certification measures explained variance in performance. Supervisors who were interviewed rated cognitive and…

Describes components of successful teacher-evaluation and compensation program at the Ladue School District in suburban St. Louis, Missouri. Reports that salary increases based on performance evaluations improve teacher satisfaction and retention. (Contains 13 references.) (PKP)

A study involving 308 secondary school principals who had served at least 1 year was conducted to reexamine the validity of subjects' ratings by professional development centers. Results indicate a modest level of validity for use of assessment center evaluations in the prediction of principals' job performance. (TJH)

Surveyed student affairs professionals (N=75) to determine whether preparation programs in student personnel administration develop entry level professional competencies and the relative importance of these competencies for assuming an entry level staff position in student affairs. Results indicated differences between those responsible for…

All city employees of Palm Desert, California, were assigned either to experimental or control groups. Pre- and posttests measured attitude before and after the experimental group received training. Job behavior change was measured six months later. T-tests indicated no statistically significant attitudinal or behavioral changes, perhaps because…

Six-month case studies of five physicians who attended an arrhythmia conference found that changes in their job performance were (1) incremental (70 percent), which usually required learning; (2) structural (17 percent), requiring redirections of life or practice; and (3) accommodational (13 percent), resulting from regulations. (SK)

A problem-centered approach to training can be effective if (1) the goal is to bring about individual and organizational change; (2) the training is an integral part of company strategy; and (3) the problem is relevant to participants, current and pressing, and has corporate commitment to implementation of the solution. (SK)