Describes the logistics and underlying principles of a summer institute for writing teachers (sponsored by the Gateway Writing Project) which integrates word processing into the writing experience. Discusses how writing program administrators can apply this information to setting up workshops with their own staff. (MM)

Whereas participative management and quality circles have foundered in American schools, teacher and principal empowerment, a more focused process, has great potential for facilitating significant, long-lasting school improvement. For empowerment to succeed, educators must be trained to take risks and be exposed to challenging conditions. (MLH)

Micro-computers and local area networks are opening up new possibilities for streamlining the administrative support system of universities and decentralizing decision making. Such decentralization needs to be complemented by improved coordination between units responsible for different application systems. (Author/MLW)

Results-driven education, systems thinking, and constructivism are producing profound changes in schools and the conception and implementation of staff development. The paradigm shift is essential for creating learning communities where teachers and administrators collaborate with peers, researchers, and students to make sense of the…

The article describes how Susan Derse, principal of a Seattle high school, works with her school to facilitate and encourage change, focusing on her approach to staff development. Ms. Derse uses a collaborative, participatory style of leadership that allows plenty of time for teachers to meet and work together. (SM)

Noting that staff guidance is an integral part of successful program administration, child- and youth-care administrators should understand the developmental level of the workers within the setting, note that workers' behavior may be attributed to individual traits or developmental characteristics, and understand that their reactions to workers'…

Describes how one independent Hawaiian school worked to situate technology within its program and how its headmaster affected the progress. Because students had been exposed to varying levels of computer technology, a planning team had to determine a direction for its program. The plan included computer instruction for school staff. (SM)

Notes that staff at Hannah More School, private, nonprofit psychoeducational day school for seriously emotionally disabled adolescents, exhibit high energy, morale, and dedication to students. Explains that creating this positive climate has been goal of staff-recognition program providing ongoing nurturance for caregivers. Discusses how program…

Examines long-term treatment of sexually abusive adolescent boys in secure conditions. Argues that, if treatment is to be successful, consideration must be given to factors which hinder treatment process: number and severity of clinical and behavioral problems presented by client group; resistance to treatment; difficulty of generalizing…

Discusses an in-service cross-training program designed for reference desk workers at the University of New Mexico Library. Describes the reference department and provides an overview of cross training. Highlights include training issues, a needs assessment questionnaire, program implementation, and evaluation. Four appendices provide sample…

A survey of 173 advocates of cooperative learning and 141 gifted education teachers revealed a wide chasm between the 2 groups on the issue of heterogeneous and homogeneous grouping for cooperative learning. Many educators linked cooperative learning with the antitracking movement. Both groups supported having more staff development and…

This article presents strategies used in a faculty development seminar on writing across the curriculum (WAC) as an instructional tool to foster mastery of course learning objectives. Three seminar demonstrations are described, and research on WAC with both hearing and deaf students is reviewed. Suggested questions allow teachers to evaluate WAC…

Data from 15 United Kingdom organizations highlighted best practices in developing entry workers: direct managers play a key role, coaching in learning by doing is essential, and networking with peers is valuable. Development is influenced by a mix of factors: mentoring, personnel practices, attitude, organizational culture, peer group, and…

A University of Tulsa project to improve campus leadership development focused on encouraging communication among nonacademic staff. From this experience came valuable proposals for institutional change, but the process itself was even more significant, empowering employees to accept a voice in campus governance. Some frustration has also…

The staff development program at the University of New South Wales (Australia) differs from traditional university programs in that it integrates professional development activities for both general and academic staff. The Professional Development Centre operates as an academic unit and performs both teaching and research functions. (MSE)