Findings from a study that determined the extent to which school districts utilized formal new mentoring programs for principals and examined the nature of such programs are presented in this paper. Methodology involved a survey of 40 school districts in a large urban region of southern California, which elicited 23 responses; interviews with the…

The first of six volumes in the "Elementary Principal Series," this booklet identifies three major components of the building administrator's role (as chief administrator, operations manager, and instructional leader) and concentrates on instructional leadership as the key to educational excellence. Research shows that principals spend…

In 1987, the Ohio Department of Education enacted a new policy requiring all school districts to plan and implement programs designed to provide support to newly hired professional educators. The mandate's intent was to ensure that inexperienced teachers, counselors, social workers, psychologists, supervisors, or administrators hired to work in…

These guidelines for the Vermont Regional Community College Commission attempt to answer the following questions: (1) Who are the students to be attracted and served? (2) What kind of services are to be provided? (3) In what ways can these services best be developed? (4) What kind of resources and staff development are needed for the job? and (5)…

Described is the staff training program at an early childhood diagnostic and training center for aurally handicapped children in an inner city setting. Focused upon is the community training in which a new staff member learns about the life style in inner city neighborhoods before beginning to work with parents or children. A community knowledge…

Advisory committees have been used in limited numbers because school personnel have not been aware of procedures for establishing such committees or how to use them effectively. The purpose of this project was to develop an instructional packet that would contain information concerning the establishment, orientation, development, and use of…

Court-ordered desegregation of a midwestern junior high school was quickly achieved because of staff commitment to the plan, which included a uniform discipline code and staff resolution of ongoing problems. (CJH)

Making sure positive information about the schools is promoted within the community is the job of news liaison persons in each school in a successful network that gets balanced news coverage for schools in Virginia. (MD)

This article outlines a plan for involving the community in the orientation of beginning teachers. Better rapport and a reduced number of first-year teacher dropouts are two of the plan's benefits. (Editor)

New faculty members participated in a seminar that provided them with opportunities to meet peers and more experienced faculty, become acquainted with their institution's philosophy of education, learn about effective methods of instruction, and improve their teaching effectiveness. (WM)

Eleven articles focus on issues surrounding employer investment in training in Britain. Topics include employee induction, flexible lifelong learning, workplace learning partnerships, retention through training, management development, cooperation with competitors, technician career paths to management, online learning in small businesses, and…

A new position always requires an adjustment period. No matter how much assistance staff members provide to the new principal, it helps to have a guide book that includes budget information, memos, charts, descriptions, staff information, grade-reporting procedures, data-processing calendars, disciplinary procedures, and any other information…

Describes an adventure-based initial tutor training program designed to promote effective teamwork and enhance organizational ability. Notes that an added advantage of the outdoor activity is that it renews the importance of principles that have always made writing centers effective by metaphorically echoing the mental challenges of writing…

Discusses the need for reference desk orientation for newly hired or reassigned librarians and presents an outline of a suggested orientation program. Orientation conducted by a supervisor is discussed, practical and philosophical aspects of reference service are addressed, and written materials that support the training are recommended. (nine…

Today's school administrators face an increasing array of duties. Potentially one of the most serious responsibilities is student health services. It is estimated that 20% to 30% of all school-aged children in the U.S. have a health condition that may require monitoring. A survey of 60 new teachers in a medium-sized school district in California…