The shortage of school library media specialists (SLMSs) has accentuated the need for establishing and promoting mentoring programs in K-12 schools. Mentoring programs for SLMSs in two large urban school systems are addressing the needs of new SLMSs. Sample orientation/mentoring program activities are given. (AEF)

Suggests that professional planning, not high-stakes testing, "an Industrial Age solution to an Information Age problem," is the key to education's future. Proposes that the day for school library media specialists and teachers should be equally divided between teaching and professional planning-four hours of instructional supervision and four…

Delineates the decentralization of power in Swedish education, describing the National Headteacher Training Program, which was designed to ensure that school leaders have the competence to lead the development of educational activities and to promote respect for the rights of students and parents. The main goal is to create school leaders who are…

Describes programs at the University of Phoenix to develop and enhance faculty effectiveness. Discusses training for first-time online courses; continuous online training (including: the Faculty Writing Workshop; Critical Thinking Across the Curriculum; Grading, Evaluation, and Feedback; Learning Teams; and other courses); faculty peer reviews;…

Asserts that the field of early childhood education (ECE) should reclaim some powerful words to reconnect them with ECE traditions and professional values. Includes discussion of academics, assessment, reading, standards, and structure. Concludes that using these words can be beneficial in discussions with other professionals and policymakers…

Outlines four aspects of a revamped child care system in the United States: (1) neighborhood early learning programs; (2) a community support system for quality care; (3) reinvented financial assistance; and (4) a career development system. (KB)

This article describes an innovative action research project based at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom that involved the professional development of teachers and instruction using specially developed Moon tactile code materials to teach literacy to pupils who are blind and who have additional disabilities. (Contains references.)…

Discusses theoretical, instructional, and professional development strands for improving reading and writing instruction for adolescent African-American students. (PKP)

Each summer Middle Tennessee State University captures the enthusiasm of teachers and students in this cost-free academy, which offers quality professional development for teachers and a week of stimulating learning experiences for approximately 200 students in grades K-12. The university provides a meaningful summer experience for both teachers…

This article describes what is known about ways in which middle and secondary school educators have improved curricula, instruction, and assessment practices and reorganized to achieve increased collaboration and responsiveness for all students' needs. It describes seven prominently used instructional strategies and four reorganization strategies…

This paper reports on an interview-based study which explored the implementation of a major policy initiative in Queensland, Australia, with particular attention to social justice issues. Interviews were conducted with key policy actors in three sections of the bureaucracy: strategic directions, performance and measurement; curriculum and…

In this article, the author reports on how several models are meeting the challenges of time, technology, and motivation. Some of the models discussed are videoconferencing models, the Anytime, Anywhere learning initiatives, and Educational Impact, a larger-scale provider of professional development resources that addresses this challenge by…

In this paper, N. L. McCaslin, director of the Professional Development Academy for the National Dissemination Center for Career and Technical Education, imparts his views regarding the elements necessary for a great professional development experience. According to McCaslin, professional development should align with the efforts of individuals as…

Connecting education and careers through professional development experiences can benefit academic teachers as well as career tech teachers. At the Upper Rio Grande College Tech-Prep Youth Consortium in El Paso, Texas, there is a professional development program that helps academic teachers see the connection between learning and earning. A…

This paper draws upon research undertaken in nine higher education institutions for a doctoral thesis. The qualitative study used repertory grids and semi-structured interviews with nine course leaders to investigate models of professional development that underpin courses for new teachers in higher education. While evidence of good levels of…