This quantitative study investigates the aspects of professional development that have the greatest impact on teachers' perception of and implementation of professional learning. This study explores the extent to which release time and financial compensation influence teachers' perceptions of the resources available to support their professional…

Collaborative time for teachers to undertake and sustain school improvement may be more important than equipment, facilities, or even staff development. Although some schools have managed to include pupil-free workdays in their annual calendars, others must find low-cost alternatives. This article presents 15 examples involving creative scheduling…

The East Lansing Public Schools, Michigan, have improved faculty morale, improved instruction, and helped establish positive contacts with community members through a professional reading and discussion program for teachers. (Author/MT)

Recent survey of time usage in restructuring schools disclosed five time-management strategies, including freed-up time (temporary interventions freeing teachers from scheduling constraints), restructured or rescheduled time, common time (for teacher planning and preparation), better-used time (to replace faculty meetings and professional…

The California Mentor Teacher Program is one of many efforts to improve teacher supply and quality, provide professional support, and offer alternative motivators and reward systems. This paper explores teacher leadership issues offered by this program. Using data from a 1985 joint study of the mentor initiative (by California State Department of…

Discusses four relevant contrasts in education and training between Britain and Germany. Attempts to explain the sources of international differences in productivity, arguing that more comparative research into education and training system outputs is needed, particularly at the intermediate vocational level. Includes eight notes and six…

Describes two avenues for students in public schools to participate in religious activities and presents a brief legal history of religion in the public domain. Suggests that students may form extracurricular religious groups or take advantage of school release time programs sponsored by local churches to further their religious education. (MAB)

Argues that administrations might better support teachers if they provided: (1) up-to-date technology, such as Xerox machines; (2) "guilt-free" time for curriculum work or special projects; and (3) more opportunities for teacher participation in school decision making. (KH)

Discusses the problems and possibilities in computerized education. Presents the culturally responsive perspective for change, which emphasizes teacher "ownership" of the innovation and creates a self-renewing environment in the schools. (MD)

Gives examples of schools altering traditional school schedules and teacher contracts to find more time for teachers and administrators to meet, discuss, and develop ideas and practices that will make school reform succeed. (MLF)

In Britain, the Code of Practice on the Identification and Assessment of Special Educational Needs (1994) places new implementation and management responsibility on special needs coordinators. Interview data from several coordinators suggest that the code brings benefits (enhanced status and more effective provision for students) and drawbacks…

This paper discusses how experienced teachers can keep their teaching fresh. Though professional development can help teachers stay current with educational techniques and practices, it is often not prioritized. Instructional changes that can recharge teachers so they provide students with optimal learning include: providing regular teacher…

At a 1992 meeting, 30 national leaders put aside differences and agreed on 6 character traits that should be taught in school, including trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, justice and fairness, caring, and citizenship. Students are adrift because schools have abandoned the teaching of absolute moral values. Legal alternatives for…

Research reveals that parental involvement in their children's education improves attendance, increases academic achievement, improves student behavior and study habits, and generates positive attitudes toward schools. The demands of work and family can act as barriers to involvement. Some parents are discouraged by a fear of incompetence and…