Describes a cyclical model for identifying training and staff development needs within a local education authority in Gwent (United Kingdom). The model's features include local representation of school staff, prioritization of needs, and the evaluation of training effectiveness in schools. This model appears to be more successful than previous…

Discussion of staff development in distance education focuses on the Concerns-Based Adoption Model (CBAM) for developing instructional design skills in subject experts. Contingency theories of management are examined, literature on CBAM is reviewed, and use of CBAM in a course team approach for course development is described. (22 references) (LRW)

Examples of inservice programs and procedures at two hypothetical high schools reveal the principal's true role in promoting positive change through staff development. With school improvement at stake, the principal must concentrate on commitment, collaboration, communication, and coordination. (MLH)

Educators leading restructuring efforts must recognize five roles people play in the change process (trailblazers, pioneers, settlers, stay-at-homes, and saboteurs) and provide training, encouragement, and support differentially for each role. The article examines four questions that must be answered to move the restructuring process forward…

A Western Kentucky University Javits project focuses on ways to extend educational opportunities for gifted middle school students, through the involvement of teachers, teacher educators, and parents. Teachers' views of talents were broadened via staff development and involvement with gifted students in summer experiences, and curriculum…

Discussion (including one teacher's journal entries) of a team-teaching experience involving a university English-as-a-Second-Language class of 27 touches on advantages and disadvantages and organizational approaches. (CNP)

Discusses the strategies used to create culture change at Victor Valley College. Over a five-year period, the college underwent a comprehensive change process of strategic planning, team leadership training, process reengineering, organizational restructuring, and college-wide staff development. Contains 14 references. (CK)

Like other organizations, camps need creativity, which breeds originality, improvement, inspiration, and renewal. Explains three broad types of creativity, describes characteristics of organizations that encourage creativity, lists barriers to creativity, and discusses ways that administrators can foster creativity in staff. A sidebar lists…

Briefly describes the national Head Start Teaching Center model, the implementation of this model in the New England region, the outcome evaluation plan, and results from the first year of training. Finds that training significantly increased trainees' knowledge, skills, and expertise. (EV)

Asserts that an essential element in the school improvement process is the creation of a professional staff-development program. Outlines recent literature that offer guidelines for implementing these programs, and addresses program and participant evaluation. Contains 19 references. (VWC)

Results of a series of studies of factors affecting perceived quality in school organizations in Iowa show a significant positive relationship between the perceived quality of district staff development and the perceived quality effectiveness index of the districts. Respondents were 720 teachers, administrators, and students from 44 school…

Describes public broadcasting station Thirteen/WNET's (New York) "wNetSchool", an online resource for K-12 and adult educators that offers teachers access to lesson plans, online courses, and Web sites to enrich classroom activities. Staff-development opportunities are also described. (Author/LRW)

Examines a series of managerial briefings of staff in nine stores of a major electronics retail chain. Shows that managers were neither trained nor appraised on their briefings skills, prepared themselves indifferently, and made little use of techniques known to affect attentiveness and recall. Finds that the daily communication session appeared…

Provides tips for designing effective training programs for library assistants. Discusses general points to consider; acquainting new assistants with the library; and assigning jobs that reflect assistants' interests. Suggests special projects for assistants including: arranging displays; cataloging; covering paperback and hardback books;…

Changing ideas about staff development means districts must begin calculating time and money being spent to support staff development. This paper examines how some schools manage time and money related to staff development, explains how to tie staff development time to money, discusses states' influence in staff development, and addresses the need…