Clarifies "team building" within the context of adventure education and professional development. Suggests that corporate programs begin with a preprogram assessment of the group and include corporate involvement in designing the curriculum. Discusses current trends and provides questions that can be used by corporate leaders to identify the right…

To increase the representation of women as high school athletic directors, Oregon created a Leadership Development Program (LDP) for experienced women coaches. The program encouraged coaches to examine their athletic administration potential and begin to develop the skills and strategies necessary for obtaining director positions. The article…

Discusses the trials and tribulations of students who struggle with reading and writing assignments centered on the essay form. Argues that students must be shown the artistic merit of the essay form to produce and appreciate essays. Considers how the essay as form provides a spirit to be followed in teaching and in life. (HB)

To obtain information about costs, University of Maryland researchers interviewed special education directors, principals, and other administrators in 14 schools or districts committed to including all students with disabilities. Respondents identified five affected areas: teachers and instructional assistants, transportation, facilities,…

Describes a Saint Louis elementary school's successful application of Howard Gardner's multiple intelligences theory. What began as a discussion of the nature of intelligence has resulted in a revised curriculum, varied instructional techniques, alternative assessment (using a combination of portfolios, progress reports, profiles, demonstrations…

Inspired by observation of a teacher-designed management studies program at an Irish secondary school, this paper demonstrates that whole school improvement is possible only after staff have acquired proficiency in the disciplines required of learning organizations. Free of externally imposed syllabi, teachers were forced to rethink, relearn, and…

Looking at the "total educational, cultural and professional environment" of Japan's engineers, the authors note that the Japanese approach education as a lifelong process. Engineering education in Japan is described as an integration of preuniversity preparation, university education, and postgraduate continuation of education in…

Urges in-service education and training (INSET) participants to be well informed of goals and involved in planning. Concludes that most participants are positive about the activities' design and execution despite extensive criticism about the value of INSET. Presents data about program participants' and trainers' opinions and beliefs about…

Describes a study that was designed to test the clinical use of motivational messages, based on the ARCS (Attention, Relevance, Confidence, and Satisfaction) model, in a staff development course for professionals in the Mozambique Ministry of Education. Course characteristics and requirements are discussed, results are analyzed, and further…

The idea behind strategic improvement is to bring the entire school district to focus on student learning and improved student outcomes. Under Superintendent Kent Hunsaker's leadership, the Bethel (Oregon) school District became a pilot site for Creating the Future, a research-based, district-level improvement process developed by the Northwest…

Annotates and reviews three professional books about organizing reading instruction; some of the resources highlight belief systems and some highlight procedures. (MG)

Based on a University of Tokyo/Stanford University study, this article examines the context surrounding teachers' professional lives. Preliminary findings indicate similarities and differences in teacher perceptions of roles and responsibilities, institutional contexts, use of time, and professional development activities. Japanese teachers work…

Discusses need for more rigorous intern evaluations resulting from demands on today's intern as well as practical challenges faced by intern evaluators. Provides recommendations to strengthen intern evaluation process. Discusses strengths and weaknesses of scales for intern evaluation and gives framework for developing intern rating system.…

The American Association of School Administrators is currently developing a National Executive Development Center for the professional development of senior school executives. The initial Texas site is expected to be joined with a consortium of six pilot sites. Describes the design assumptions of a diagnostic and professional development system.…

After the first year of Kentucky's school reform act, a superintendent advises others whose states might undertake school reform to expect delays and revenue shortfalls and to lobby for professional development funds. (MLF)