Argues that school improvement efforts have not been examined carefully, comprehensibly, sensibly, and sensitively enough. Describes Canada's reform attempts which abandon isolated inservice education efforts, recognize that problems in implementing school reforms need to be addressed, and recognize that the school must be the focal point of…

Discussion of quality issues in Ireland's preservice and inservice teacher education examines the 1992 Green Paper on Irish Education, which highlighted several proposals regarding establishment of a system of quality assurance in higher education institutions to offer students the best possible education and ensure high standards of quality in…

Describes a long-term inservice program aimed at restructuring one elementary school's literacy program. Focuses on observed changes that occurred as teachers became active participants in staff development sessions designed around effective change principles. (SR)

Comparison of 1983-84 state survey of mandated staff development with a current study shows that, although state support for education has significantly increased, funding for staff development has not. No correlation was found between per-pupil expenditures and funding for mandatory staff development. (SK)

Proposes a framework for designing staff development to implement technology in schools, focusing on needs assessment to ensure the transfer of knowledge and skills into regular teaching practice. Components of the model provide teachers with instruction, modeling, coaching, and empowerment. The article offers examples of cognitive apprenticeship…

Discusses the use of electronic portfolios and their assessment and describes the development of an electronic teaching portfolio Web site that can facilitate teacher development alone or in conjunction with an accompanying traditional inservice training course. Examines the educational reform movement and the new emphasis on student-centered…

Presents a study that assesses the implementation of a problem-solving model among teachers involved in an alternative in-service format. Teachers (N=13) participate in a year-long program that focuses on instructional methodology. Contains 60 references. (DDR)

Examines what elementary school teachers believe will improve the quality of literacy assessment for children. Finds that three of the top five belief statements, to which teachers most strongly agreed, focused on the importance of inservice education for teachers. Suggests directions for both teacher educators and policy makers. (RS)

Expresses opinions about administrative attitudes, teacher preparation, and teacher support concerning attempts at reading improvement programs in schools. Suggests professional development efforts lack planning and proper support. Suggests too few are accepting their responsibility while too many students are still not learning to read. (RS)

A study involving 1 urban site and 5 rural sites investigated the effectiveness of the Mustard Seed Project in training teachers to differentiate curricula for gifted students. The majority of the teachers (n=74) at each site made changes. Participants cited staff-development activities, leadership, mentoring, resources, and project support as…

Introduces a series of articles that examine difficulties related to teaching in urban schools and how to improve the education of students from urban schools. The paper focuses on problems associated with underachievement of students in urban schools, improving the education of children in urban schools, and implications for teachers'…

According to this author, professional development in most school districts usually is not what teachers call worthwhile. Most is mandatory and tied to the latest literacy "fix," new district systems, text adoptions and occasionally, a speaker who has something new to share. She contends that meaningful professional development should be an…

Teachers are likely to create authentic learning environments for their students only if such contexts exist for them. However, it is more important than ever to look closely at professional development spaces that have been sustained over time in order to bolster teachers' agency, giving them the courage to teach against the grain. In this…

In an effort to increase the knowledge about professional development programs that promote strong instructional leaders, the Wallace Foundation recently commissioned a study of innovative principal professional development programs and the policy and funding mechanisms that support them. In fall 2003, the foundation awarded a grant to a team of…

Exploratory and descriptive research was conducted in a secondary school to reveal the realities and difficulties of the implementation process that awaits teachers under Quebec's Educational Reform. A team of teachers agreed to be observed while simulating implementation one year ahead of other schools. Results underscore the importance of…