Recognizing staff development's importance, the Austin (Texas) Independent School District implemented an ambitious districtwide program that provides all K-8 teachers with training to implement mathematics standards. An evaluation found that improved math instruction was influenced by school culture, principal support, and teacher collaboration.…

In an interview with "Principal," U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley and NAESP Executive Director Vincent Ferrandino agreed that schools should become community centers. Principals' major challenges include welcoming and involving the community, envisioning improvements, building consensus, valuing teamwork, and pursuing…

Presents five training strategies that are supported by modern theories of learning and cognition working in tandem with technology: (1) give working memory a break; (2) train in smaller chunks; (3) learning in location; (4) vary the information; (5) get real--interactivity. Includes a table that lists the cognitive strategies and their…

Discusses Chinese early childhood educators' responses to a conference presentation by an American practitioner, noting how Chinese educators' questions revealed an interest in sharing information and developing communication between the two countries. (JPB)

In May 2000, 35 principals from across the nation met to define their role in implementing rigorous academic curricula to promote student achievement. Their observations concerning effects of school climate, resources, staffing, equal access, professional development, sustained leadership, and program assessment are discussed. (MLH)

Competent Internet-based library services can only be offered if appropriately qualified staff is available. To promote this development in Germany the Bertelsmann Foundation and its project partner, the ekz.bibliotheksservice GmbH are developing a special Web-based Training Course for Librarians. Progress to date is described. (Author)

Explores the science content knowledge of elementary school teachers and its possible role in helping them teach effectively. Studies the issues in the context of an investigation of the views of elementary school teachers (n=106) who had participated in professional development courses that focused on the topic "natural and processed…

Highlights the Music Educators National Conference (MENC) schedules for March 8-11, 2000, which focus on U.S. music and music education following the theme of "Make Music, America!" Covers session topics such as music and young children, improvisation, Orff techniques, at-risk students, world music, research, and technology. Includes an…

Reports on a case study of the set up and first year operations of the public-private partnership between the University of Manchester (UK) and Nord Anglia that delivered training for the National Professional Qualification for Headship. Reviews the partnership according to four factors and discusses the areas of conflict (time and language). (CMK)

Improving school leadership quality must start with leadership standards. The Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC) developed standards for use in all school leadership positions. This paper describes: how to use the standards for principals' professional development; how to ensure quality preservice administrator preparation; how…

Studied the use of the student evaluation questionnaire as a means of teacher evaluation through the views of two university lecturers. Findings suggest that the use of student evaluation questionnaires as a means of summative and comparative appraisal has several negative implications for lecturers' understandings of teaching and their…

Designs for Learning is a California-based professional-development program organized around 10 design elements central to teachers' teaching and learning process: student data, planning, release time, leadership development, content and pedagogy, inquiry, collaboration, adult learning, administrative and community support, and accountability.…

Examines the position of distance education graduates in the job market after completing their education at Anadolu University's (Turkey) Open Education Faculty. Findings include: a general increase in graduates' job positions and status after graduation; most graduates' income increased; most felt their degree was equivalent to degrees awarded…

Discusses a qualitative research study conducted in a distance-learning environment using satellite delivery. Describes changes in instructional design and adaptation issues which faculty and professionals involved in satellite-delivery learning situations used to be successful. (Author/AEF)

Highlights a synergistic collaborative research effort between a public school and a university, discussing the process of collaboration throughout the study and providing perspectives on the learning and collaboration experiences from university faculty, classroom teachers, and pre-service teachers. This collaboration resulted in translation of…