This handbook for educators offers guidance on ways to understand parents, parent-teacher communication, the process of reinforcing classwork at home, ways to support family communication, and resources. Contents offer: (1) practical tips and strategies designed to help educators develop communication skills for use in working with families; (2)…

This document is the Wichita (Kansas) High School West multicultural education plan for 1991-92. Wichita High School West is part of the Wichita Public School system. The plan was developed by a committee of 1 administrator and 12 teachers. The plan opens with definitions of the mission of the plan and the meaning of multicultural education for…

While the concept of the teaching portfolio is variously defined, portfolios generally provide the opportunity to display teaching abilities and accomplishments, as well as reflect on one's teaching. In using teaching portfolios, the departmental chairperson must create a climate in which faculty understand that putting together a portfolio will…

The dismissal of public school teachers in Oregon is governed by the Fair Dismissal Law. The statutory requirements of the law involve (1) a notice from the superintendent of intent to dismiss, (2) school board approval of dismissal, (3) the teacher's right to appeal to the Fair Dismissal Appeals Board (FDAB), and (4) the school board's and…

Rural education trends in the 1980s--influenced by decreased federal, state, and local funding and demands for higher academic standards and greater accountability--will have a significant impact on staff development in small and rural schools. Along with ebbing support for compensatory education and increased focus on math and science…

The Collegial Evaluation Program leads to improved teaching by systematizing a way for teachers to obtain frequent, focused feedback from themselves, their students, and their colleagues. The process can be used by a single pair of teachers, a teaching team, a department, or an entire faculty. The purpose of this manual is to introduce the idea of…

This guide provides assistance to New Mexico school districts in implementing a state-sponsored teacher performance evaluation plan (Provision III of the New Mexico Staff Accountability Plan, adopted by the State Board of Education). This plan involves five basic procedures: (1) determine specific definitions of the six essential teaching…

Designed for use as a textbook for prospective vocational instructors or a handbook for practicing instructors, this guide provides information on the non-teaching responsibilities of the vocational instructor. Hundreds of hints, suggestions, strategies, techniques, and approaches for improving effectiveness, and numerous illustrations and sample…

This guide is designed to help teachers gain an insight into the background and culture of Chinese American students. Three articles describing the Chinatown community in San Francisco focus on problems which are characteristic of Chinese American communities throughout the United States. The appendices that follow provide statistics about…

This guide helps parents understand the issues of teacher quality, suggesting ways they can strengthen teacher quality in their children's schools. In order to ensure that students meet new, higher standards, teachers must be better prepared to promote high levels of learning for all students. Research has shown that many teachers do not feel…

This book and its accompanying video highlights three interpersonal approaches to instructional improvement, observation skills, and the complete reflective clinical supervision process. Based on the principles of reflective practice, the kit is a professional development tool for educational leaders and staff members. Chapter 1, "Cycles of…

This research report offers a theoretical frame for examining recent instructional improvement efforts. First, it develops a theoretical view of instruction and an analysis of the environments of instruction. It analyzes the relations between instruction and its environments and the circumstances under which intervenors must operate. The report…

Written for practitioners who must supervise early childhood staff from a wide variety of educational and cultural backgrounds, this book provides guidelines and practical suggestions for staff training and development in early childhood settings. Part 1 challenges myths regarding supervision to ease the burden under which supervisors carry out…

Research shows that distance learning (DL) works well for staff development. This article examines current DL technologies (satellite systems, interactive television, and computer-based interactive systems), noting issues to consider when using these technologies (audience characteristics, expectations, cost recovery, and interagency…

For urban schools, concerns over curriculum standards come second. First must come a plan to stop teaching values that reinforce a curriculum for unemployment. This paper presents three methods to counteract the impact of anti-work curricula: teacher development, student development (via a school-to-work curriculum), and shaping a curriculum that…