Provides an overview of 1999-200 Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS) data and describes selected findings on school safety, class size, school programs, teacher salaries, prior teaching experience of principals, professional development, and school library media specialists. The SASS is the most extensive survey of elementary and secondary schools…

Details a strategy for district improvement that establishes discernible parameters and then provides each school with the autonomy to chart its own course and lists four steps toward team engagement. Also former Principal Rebecca Burnette DuFour discusses how the central office can best promote learning communities. (MLF)

Instructional leadership is a thoughtful journey that builds and sustains learning cultures. School leaders must confront negative norms and values head-on and recognize and celebrate a learning environment. Offers ideas for shaping and reinforcing a positive learning culture and lists brief case studies. (MLF)

This article examines the changing demands and qualities for school leadership and outlines a new leadership program, Collaborative Educational Programs for the Americas. Through CEPA, graduate students design their own individualized programs for professional development. (Contains 22 references.) (WFA)

Wyoming governor offers several recommendations for improving the quality of teachers based on reports from the National Commission on Mathematics and Science, the Education Commission of the States, and the National Commission on Teaching and America's Future. Involves cooperation of schools of education, teachers, administrators, state…

Describes an EdVisions Cooperative made up of eight small charter schools in Minnesota. EdVisions, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, provides charter schools with guidelines to develop teacher-driven professional accountability systems linked to project-based learning for students. (PKP)

Explores the theoretical basis for a mentoring model of professional development addressing technology integration into classroom teaching and learning. Describes the Capital Area Technology and Inquiry in Education (CATIE) Program for elementary schools and discusses situative theories of knowledge and learning, technology planning, access to…

Examines ways to use effectively the technology involved in teaching and learning online as they pertain to training child caregivers. Provides guidelines for early childhood administrators to prepare themselves to teach an online or web-enhanced course or training program. Identifies challenges and barriers confronting online learners. Lists…

Reflects on the study of literary themes in a reform to develop "thinking based curricula" for lower income urban youth. Mentions the need to broaden students' worlds and discusses implications for middle grades teacher education. Suggests the need for preservice teachers to have plenty of ongoing workshop practice in shaping and critiquing…

Discusses how connecting instruction, professional development, and student learning can make the difference between successful and unsuccessful data use. Uses a case-study approach to show that by acknowledging that implementation occurs over time, schools can safeguard against discarding new instructional practices prematurely. (Contains one…

Challenges librarians to create midlife leaves that will inspire professional growth and renewal and help define future career directions. Presents a framework for developing a successful leave based on experiences at Concordia University (Montreal) and offers examples of specific options, including internships, exchanges, conferences, community…

Provides overview of purposes and formats for student portfolio development. Highlights history of the portfolio process at the University of Dayton (UD), illustrates how UD education faculty prepare middle school teachers to collect evidence using National Middle School Association guidelines and the PRAXIS III framework, to be used for assessing…

Replicated Everett's (1980) survey of Approved Supervisors of American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). Found significant differences in today's supervision including increase in female supervisors, shift toward systemic theoretical orientation, more supervisors in formal training settings, increase in video recording usage,…

Discusses the concept of reflective practice developed by Donald Schon in 1983. Presents the questions explored in the five articles contained in this issue. Introduces each article and discusses the topics and recommendations provided by each article. (JS)

The pyramid training model was evaluated as a means to teach six supervisors and aides working with profoundly retarded adults the training skills of increasing assistance prompt hierarchy and specific praise in developing clients' daily living skills. Providing training to supervisors resulted in improved training skills for them and subsequently…