This guide summarizes information and procedures from recent research on staff development and provides examples of staff development practices in Georgia school systems. Section 1 describes a new vision for staff development, with a focus on student development as a strategy for organizational change. Section 2 looks at the expanding role of the staff developer and the competencies that are important for effective performance. The third section examines the factors of change, considerations for personnel development, strategies for whole-school development, and key themes in successful change. Information to help staff development educators deal with diverse and ambiguous situations involved in initiating staff development programs is offered in section 4. Issues and practices in implementation and institutionalization are discussed in the fifth and sixth sections. Section 7 provides information on staff development programming in Georgia, with a focus on its history, legislative guidelines, and pertinent forms. Section 8 offers a range of resources, including references, professional associations, a glossary, and information on distance learning and the Georgia Education Leadership Academy. A detailed school-focused staff development guide is provided in the final section. Three figures and a 5.5-page bibliography are included. (LMI)