An induction system for beginning teachers should provide continued support in the instructional area and also induct the newcomer into the general operational and social milieu of the individual school. The following areas of concern in the process of teacher orientation are discussed: (1) What information is provided regarding the decision…

Recent studies of the perceptions of teachers and supervisors about the benefits of teacher supervision show clear disagreement between the two groups. Supervisors see their efforts as helpful to teachers, whereas teachers consider supervision ineffectual. This document reports on research conducted to test the theory that positive…

This monograph is a discussion of the nature of master teacher/career ladder programs and related issues and implications for principals. Delineated in the principal's role in career ladder/master teacher programs against the following framework of issues: (1) the clarity of the school board's plan and its resolve to implement the program; (2) the…

In an effort to support the contention that the levels of student achievement and discipline depend more on administrative style and school ethos than on inner city location and/or social class, race, or IQ of students, an investigation was conducted of a single midwestern urban high school. The procedure consisted of observation and interviews of…

This speech reviews school effectiveness research over the past 5 years, presenting the most important conclusions: schools make a difference in how much children learn, and principals make a difference in school effectiveness. The characteristics of better schools listed are: 1) clear sense of purpose, (2) well-formulated instructional goals, (3)…

This study, initiated by the Scarborough (Ontario) Board of Education, examines principals' perceptions of their role in curriculum implementation, the difficulties inherent in this role and the support systems available to assist principals, and the leadership component of the principals' role in curriculum implementation. Interviews, based on a…

Too little emphasis is placed on instructional supervision in special language programs for limited-English-proficient students. Such supervision can provide a mechanism to promote the growth of instructional staff, improve the instructional program, and lead to curriculum development. Many supervisors are undertrained and unable to provide…

Five questions relating to the management of incompetent teachers are answered: (1) What is incompetence? (2) How can the administrator help the incompetent teacher? (3) How can principals prove incompetence during dismissal hearings? (4) What kinds of resources are needed? and (5) Why is managing incompetent teachers worth the effort? (PGD)

Research about the American experience with school reform has underscored time as the major obstacle to change. This book presents a psychosocial perspective of time and the problems it presents for teachers and administrators in an era of time scarcity. Specifically, it explores the effects of five major concepts (time investment portfolios,…

This book offers a plan for improved classroom practice through the supervisory process. It includes hands-on practices for developing a personalized supervision strategy, research-based and empirically tested strategies, field-tested tools and techniques for qualitative and quantitative observation, a comprehensive resource of traditional and…

Suggests an eight-step approach to student teacher observations to increase students' professional growth including simulation, peer-reaction, video review, practice teaching, audio review, real teaching, tape review, and post-observation conference. (RC)

The Nampa (Idaho) school board has strong written policies on administrative accountability; teacher recruitment, supervision, and evaluation; the district instructional model; and inservice training for administrators and teachers. (Author/MLF)

This article focuses on one element of staff development, and applies to classroom observation an interactive process between staff developer and teacher that leads to a better understanding and acceptance of individual teaching styles. The emphasis is on professional growth rather than on institutional regulation. (Author/KC)

Schon's conception of reflection is conceptualized in a context relative to other work on reflection. Three perspectives are used to conceptualize reflection as instrumentally mediating action, as deliberating among competing views of teaching, and as reconstructing experiences. (SI)

Discusses the lack of teacher training provided for teaching assistants in history departments. Argues that emphasis on research and publication is misplaced because most new Ph.D.s will be teaching rather than publishing. Urges teacher training to prepare graduate students for their chosen profession and to improve undergraduate education. (DK)