The article describes a model of paraprofessional placement in special education. The process involves four steps: (1) assessing needs and skills; (2) comparing role expectations; (3) resolving differences in perceptions of teacher and paraprofessional; and (4) writing individualized job descriptions. A list of resource materials for training…

A survey of 190 public and community residential facilities indicate that staff in community and public residential facilities must be prepared to deal with maladaptive behavior, that behaviorally oriented response strategies appear to be most effective, and that there is a need for greater attention to training direct-care residential staff in…

The advantages of using a computer to analyze needs assessment data for continuing education are (1) it allows the expression of organizational needs, (2) all learners are able to declare their own needs, and (3) it provides rapid access to large amounts of information. (SK)

Describes the implementation of a master teacher program in the Webster Groves School District, St. Louis County, Missouri, in which teachers systematically identified as excellent in instructional practice were given specialized training and support to enable them to become in-service leaders and workshop directors in staff development…

Dexter, Kansas, uses a four-day school week that is improving classroom instruction and cutting energy bills. There is evidence that four-day schedules improve student achievement, increase attendance, allow more class time, raise teacher morale, and provide more staff development time. (MD)

Describes a Texas educational program that uses interactive instructional television to teach fully accredited high school classes, staff development workshops, and preservice and inservice education classes. (MD)

Contains a partial inventory of sales training strategies and video techniques that heighten viewer involvement and promote transfer of learning to performance situations such as selling. These strategies have been used by Monroe Systems for Business, a manufacturer and distributor of business calculating equipment which recently expanded its…

Most school systems fail to provide appropriate conditions for training employees. Individualizing staff development is an effective approach, although it requires a strong commitment by both teachers and school districts. Options of a program, the time involved, and cost are discussed. (MT)

A survey of over 200 English comprehensive schools revealed that nearly half the schools had either implemented or were about to implement staff appraisal schemes. The survey emphasizes the definitional problem of appraisal; some styles of appraisal were the same as staff development. (MLF)

Outlines the characteristics and components of clinical supervision and presents 10 suggestions for implementing the process. (MD)

Communication assistants can fulfill an important role in assessment of language and hearing problems as well as in direct therapy. Four model preservice training programs are summarized and results of efficacy studies noted. (CL)

Outlines a fictitious but ideal school in which staff work cooperatively and are encouraged to develop their talents. (MD)

Special education teachers and administrators from each of 17 small rural school districts (N=34) were interviewed on staff development needs. A lack of staff development activities was identified as a critical problem in such districts in New Mexico. Training in instructional technology was the most frequently mentioned inservice need. (Author/CL)

Indicates that staff development is a fundamental part of adult basic education. Describes a staff development program used in New Mexico and makes recommendations for other programs. (JOW)

Quality Circles are a participative management technique allowing employees opportunities to participate in decisionmaking and problem-solving processes at work. A Wisconsin vocational school successfully implemented Quality Circles with management and nonmanagement staff participating. (MD)