"Before there were meetings, planning processes, or any other techniques, there was conversation--people sitting around, interested in each other, talking together," writes Margaret Wheatley (2002). It has been through simple conversations that authoritative leadership roles traditionally held by those at central office in Rockwood…

For administrators at the secondary level, not many school days go according to plan or script, but few things are more disruptive than a student threat of violence. When threats are made--or if there is a rumor of a serious student threat--it can take both time and resources to investigate, interview, and analyze multiple pieces of information in…

Describes foundation and development of a performance-based teacher evaluation method developed in Missouri which makes mastery learning the basis for outcomes of instruction. Eight discrete parts of the teaching act characterizing successful teaching, four criteria important in performance-based evaluation development, and four definable phases…

A step-by-step outline of recommended procedures is presented for a performance based evaluation system for teachers in Missouri. Four general performance areas form the basis for the system: (1) instructional processes; (2) classroom management; (3) interpersonal relationships; and (4) professional responsibilities. Nineteen specific,…

After a failed tax levy in 2004, the Ladue School District in Missouri realized that it had to significantly change its communication methods. A new superintendent was hired in July 2004 to work with the Board of Education to reestablish relationships and increase effective communications with parents and community members. As such, we are the…

A series of articles explores the role and activities of school librarians, especially focusing on evaluation procedures. The topics discussed include librarians' and evaluators' perceptions of important evaluative criteria and a description of a performance based evaluation model. The last article describes working in an international school…

Performance indicators used for state funding, past and present, of public colleges in Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Washington are reviewed to explore their intent and implications and to provide information for policymakers considering introducing or revising…

This document is a comprehensive admissions model that has been constructed to assist secondary school personnel in the state of Missouri with the admission and selection of students for vocational programs. The model is presented in flowchart form with an accompanying outline that describes the various steps, followed by the forms necessary to…

This handbook is intended to help Missouri school districts develop and implement quality family and consumer sciences programs that will prepare students of all ages to be critical, ethical thinkers and successful family, career, and community leaders. The handbook begins with a bibliography listing 27 resources. The following are among the…

A survey of 59 Missouri school boards that selected new superintendents for the 1984-85 school year revealed that the factors most significantly influencing selection decisions involved the candidates' self-presentation skills, the candidates' backgrounds as confirmed by references, and the candidates' interests in student achievement and district…

This paper details the procedures and sequential process followed by the state of Missouri in the referral, identification, and placement of students into special education programs. Definitions for four key terms (compliance plan, prereferral intervention strategies, referral, and screening survey) are provided. Guidelines are then presented as…

One of the goals of the Outstanding Schools Act of 1993 is to expand the use of technology in Missouri's public schools by authorizing grants to help in the acquisition of new technology and by earmarking funds for professional development activities. The aim of this guide is to assist school districts that are in various stages of providing…

This handbook is a complete guide for developing and administering cooperative vocational education programs in Missouri. The 11 sections of the handbook provide information in the following areas: (1) overview of the cooperative education program; (2) role of the teacher-coordinator; (3) program development; (4) the instructional program; (5)…

These guidelines help professional development chairs, administrators, and teachers collaboratively plan for the ongoing skill development and content acquisition of staff members. Section 1, "Missions, Mandates, and Regulations for Professional Development," describes the mission of professional development as supporting teachers in…

This guide is intended to provide persons involved in the transition of handicapped youth from school to work with a systematic means of implementing transition and disseminating information about resources that may assist the process. The guide is organized in six sections. The first section provides an overview of transition, while the second…