Describes the planning cycle being used in the Lincoln, Nebraska, schools and explains the role of staff development in the total program improvement model. (Author/IRT)

Reports on a survey of incarcerated women (N=203) to determine program needs and to describe the inmate population. Results indicate that the typical inmate was a European American mother of two children. Most were multiple offenders with a history of abuse and addiction, and desired substance abuse education and treatment. (RJM)

A needs assessment of professionals in Nigerian social conservation clubs (n=37) and state environmental protection agencies (n=37) indicated that they are not adequately prepared to implement environmental education and public awareness programs. Specifically, they lack knowledge of major environmental problems, appropriate training methods, and…

Responses from 140 of 323 state agencies indicated the following: only 13% use formal needs assessment for 80% of their training; 39% survey employees about their needs; 31% depend on management mandates; group discussion and lecture were most often used methods; and 47% do not assess employees' job performance after training. (SK)

Responses from 59 of 67 Florida county extension directors identified professional development needs of extension specialists: (1) understanding client needs; (2) producing appropriate educational materials; (3) delivering inservice training to county extension agents; (4) evaluating state programs; and (5) increasing interaction at the local…

A survey of 73 extension professionals who coordinate inservice training found that only 16% of their audience is support staff. Responses from 305 extension employees indicated barriers to participation: time, scheduling conflicts, lack of relevance, and distance. Although 90% of employees were interested in distance deliver, only 22% of…

Through innovative leadership and effective prioritization, the school counselor's role can be shaped to make counselors available for kids whenever necessary. Suggests that by making themselves more visible, school counselors will ensure that the students know who they are and what they do. (GCP)

Offers a structured method, the management summit, to help administrators generate a true mission and vision and implement them in the organization. The method includes understanding needs, building futures scenarios, pointing out hurdles, and deciding on action items. (JOW)

Explains how trainers can assess their own competencies and learning needs, citing web resources useful for career development. (SK)

Data from a continuing education needs assessment survey of 342 forest resource managers were compared with attendance records from workshops. Findings showed that only a small percentage of survey respondents who indicate an interest in a topic will actually attend a program on that topic. Additional tools should be used to assess continuing…

Considers the practice of Instructional Systems Design (ISD) as it exists in the real world and how it is being modified and used to produce training solutions that are faster, better, and easier. Focuses on Web-based training and discusses needs assessment, content analysis, design strategies, revision strategies, and project management.…

Using a life course perspective, reports the findings from a needs assessment for midlife and older adults regarding family life education. A sample of 264 adults aged 50 and older indicated interest in 29 family life education topics. The highest rated topics were nutrition and health, fitness and exercise, and positive aspects of aging.…

Presents a rationale for conducting training needs assessment and discusses types of analyses: organizational, task, and individual. Compares advantages and disadvantages of the following assessment methods: surveys, interviews, performance appraisals, observations, tests, assessment centers, focus groups, document reviews, and advisory…