Surveys 86 teachers from five Florida counties to determine their perceptions of their principals' effectiveness as evaluators. Finds four areas teachers consider essential for effective teacher evaluation: Principal initiated interaction with teachers, consistent evaluation process, principal commitment to effective evaluations, and principal…

A systematic approach to the selection, training, and support of principals is essential to school improvement. Graduate level preparation alone is insufficient. The Brevard County (Florida) Human Resource Management and Development plan matches school needs to candidates' strengths when selecting new principals. (MLH)

To obtain information for planning school goals and activities, Armwood Senior High School (Seffner, Florida) decided to interview graduating seniors concerning the curricular program. This article reviews survey questions and significant responses. (MLH)

In Florida, 19 competencies that distinguish behaviors of highly and moderately performing principals now serve as a basis for selecting, certifying, and appraising school managers. This article discusses certain assumptions, describes a six-stage competency acquisition process, and outlines Florida's principal competencies. Includes six…

Local interagency transition councils have been deemed the appropriate vehicle for planning and implementing transition services for students with disabilities. A recent evaluation of Florida's system disclosed that students and businesses are underrepresented on transition councils. Districts developing transition programs without interagency…

In 1986 the Center for Policy Research in Education began a five-year study of state educational reform implementations and effects in six states (California, Arizona, Texas, Minnesota, Florida, and Georgia) chosen for their diverse approaches. Most efforts (not all successful) concentrated on increased academics, teacher professionalism, and…

The two models in Florida's Educational Quality Benchmark System represent a new way of thinking about developing schools' work culture. The Quality Performance System Model identifies nine dimensions of work within a quality system. The Change Process Model provides a theoretical framework for changing existing beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors…

Describes the Florida Educational Accountability Act of 1976. The purpose of the act is to validate the high school diploma, thereby improving the quality of public education and eliminating the continued need for social promotion. (Author/MLF)

In the late 1980s, a committee of Pasco County, Florida, administrators, teachers, and community members began exploring how schools might change to enable students to graduate successfully and become productive citizens. The committee is now transforming schools through an interactive process of continuous study, design, professional development,…

In Florida, the Learn & Serve America program has fostered evolutionary, perhaps revolutionary, changes in teaching and learning. Data from 1995-96 Florida Learn & Serve grantees mirror the positive results of the previous academic year. By heavy majorities (62% to 82%), participating students showed improvements in attendance, conduct,…

Schools can no longer act alone as surrogate parents. First appearing in Florida's innovative legislation, the full-service school concept is catching on in several other states. Full-service schools integrate education, medical, social, and/or human services to meet families' needs in easily accessible locations. Primary health centers are key…