Reports a survey of three small school systems in Ontario, Canada, which asked whether term appointments to secondary school department headships would improve staff morale, opportunities for professional growth, and school curriculum. (SR)

A conceptual model of an elementary school based on proposed educational reforms is described. A feature of the model is that it merges general and special education so that all general education teachers will be prepared to instruct an intellectually and culturally heterogeneous population. (MSE)

Reviews the research literature on continuing professional education for teachers and administrators in rural areas. Discusses conceptual contradictions in rural writings, describes research needs for rural staff development, suggests appropriate methodology for rural school studies, and calls for a national research agenda for rural education.…

Surveys freshman English directors in order to help define the role of the writing center director. Discusses how writing center directors are viewed within English departments. Appends the questionnaire used. (MS)

The qualities that school boards and others expect in superintendents are not being met. Solutions include (1) better training, with enrollment in management courses; (2) internships; (3) first-year support groups; (4) inservice training; and (5) personal development. (MLF)

Foremost policy watcher at the Center for the Study of Teaching, Linda Darling-Hammond analyzes the effects of state and district policies on teachers in classrooms, favors full partnership for teachers in decision-making, and points out the importance of the knowledge base for the professionalization of teaching. (TE)

The National Head Injury Foundation was established to address financial and personal issues involved with brain injury. The Foundation's action agenda emphasizes prevention, public awareness, public policy, public attitudes, social-political action, professional growth, information/referral, guidance on research needs, and a forum for diverse…

A six-step process defines and validates the role of worksite health promotion directors: developing expert opinion consensus, examining current job descriptions, reviewing literature, reviewing independent role delineations, developing competency statements, and validating statements to reduce the number to 80. The competencies are categorized as…

This first article in a five-part professional development course designed for educators using technology focuses on how to gain access to the appropriate technology. Highlights include the minimum level of resources needed; planning; setting goals; professional growth; administrator support; and obstacles to using technology successfully. (LRW)

Describes efforts to reform K-4 mathematics instruction in Kentucky. Discusses the establishment of collaborative groups within Kentucky's mathematics education community, the Kentucky Education Reform Act of 1990, and reform efforts in the areas of assessment, curriculum, professional development for teachers, preservice teacher education, and…

The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics'"Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics" (1989) and "Professional Standards for School Mathematics" (1991) need principals' help to be implemented. Secondary principals should become familiar with standards, provide teachers with long-term professional…

The Holmes Group of leading teacher educators has suggested colleges of education make urgent changes or shut down. It faults teacher education for a poorly designed curriculum, inadequate minority recruitment, and overuse of part-time and graduate student instructors. A professional development school modeled after a teaching hospital is…

Describes a 1994 survey about an introductory class in online communications at Wright State University. Discussion includes a profile of respondents, prior online experience, personal development, impact on personal and professional knowledge and skills, impact on communication, and barriers and limitations to the effective use of…

Discusses the professional development school (PDS), a collaborative effort between universities and schools designed to reform classroom teacher education. Indicates that the restructured practicum experience allows students to utilize their theories about teaching and problem solving with a live audience before they start teaching. Describes one…

Reflects on one person's efforts to develop a collaborative action research methodology for evaluating professional development. Focuses on the development of an inside methodology for teachers. Sets out a range of issues and identifies some tentative principles of procedure. (CFR)