A survey of teachers and principals in North Cook County, Illinois, explored tenure issues related to teacher performance, professional image, job security, and teacher welfare. Although a majority of teachers and principals agreed that tenure inhibits dismissal of below-average teachers, 54 percent of teachers favored keeping tenure, and 69…

Considers various aspects of the future of technology in education, including learning through apprenticeship, equitable access to learning technology, business and industry needs and the relationship between workplace performance and academic credentials, and the commercial privatization of public education. (LRW)

Describes a five-step approach to performance management which includes (1) redefining tasks; (2) identifying skills; (3) determining what development tools are necessary; (4) prioritizing skills development; and (5) developing an action plan. Presents a hiring model that includes job analysis, job description, selection, goal setting, evaluation,…

Presents a literature review of 38 articles that discuss electronic performance support systems (EPSSs). Assesses and classifies each article's EPSS by its settings for use, initial reasons for development, and system features. Finds that the primary markets responding to the potentials of EPSSs are businesses and industry, with secondary markets…

Explores the use of common sense testing and measurement as a means of predicting real-world performance. The authors discuss practical versus book knowledge, examine several empirical studies of practical intelligence, describe tacit knowledge and the instruments used for testing it, and present findings from a tacit knowledge research program.…

Assessment of the role of training and development in the careers of 14 female administrators in federal agencies determined that training had limited impact on mobility. Women's mobility was restricted by low-ceiling jobs and organizational cultural values emphasizing hands-on instead of classroom-developed competencies in promotion decisions.…

Some workplace diversity programs have sown hostility as diversity training has become a full-fledged industry in the United States. The best approach may be to recognize commonalities and to be willing to capitalize on differences. (JOW)

The validity of the subtests and composites of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) for grades in 150 military technical schools was investigated with 88,724 Air Force recruits. Across all jobs, arithmetic reasoning was the most valid subtest, and the electronics composite was the most valid composite. (SLD)

Schools are operated at two levels: practicing teachers and administrators and nonteaching educationists. U.S. Education Secretary Lamar Alexander has no real relationship with teachers (school assembly-line workers) or parents more concerned about sex education, ethnic representation, and library contents than "world class" standards.…

A framework for identifying information regarding workplace communication requirements is presented that assumes communication involves sign systems as well as spoken and written language. Research with suburban supermarket checkout operators indicates that communication is deeply embedded in the social context. (Contains 18 references.) (LB)

A national survey of 464 directors of psychology or directors of residential services for public facilities for persons with mental retardation examined procedures used to reinforce work performance of direct-care staff. Managers most frequently used increased staff involvement in management decision making, performance feedback, recognition, and…

An effective administrator evaluation system builds in feedback opportunities, two-way communication, opportunities for improvement, enforcement of strengths, and a clear understanding of the system. The system must be valid, reliable, meaningful, useful, and feasible. Procedural answers to the why-what-when-where-what-who questions are discussed…

The Management Profile, developed at the Texas A & M University Principals' Center, has considerable potential as a comprehensive strategy for evaluating and developing educational administrators. This article reviews progress in refining the profile's use, including identification of performance criteria, standardization of decision rules for…

Training can be measured at four levels: trainee reactions, acquisition of intended skill or knowledge, use of new skill or knowledge on the job, and impact on the organization. Evaluation of training is meaningful only if it is conducted within the context of a performance improvement system. (SK)

Focuses on an innovative approach to instill professionalism in workers such as reactor operators and other nuclear power workers. It may be used by technology instructors to send a message to their students: regardless of the advanced state of technology, the human element provides the key to desirable outcomes. (Author/JOW)