A meta-analysis of inservice teacher education research determines the significance of the following factors for learning effectiveness: training objectives, training duration, training group characteristics, location and scheduling, sponsorship, participant incentives, structure, and instructional technique. Suggestions to help staff developers…

This article is a response to Ruth Wade's meta-analysis of inservice teacher education research in the same issue of "Educational Leadership" (EA 518 308). Factors making a difference in inservice education are identified, but more work needs to be done in understanding the specific, practical details, allowing application. (DCS)

Ruth Wade replies to an article written by Georgea Sparks in the same issue of "Educational Leadership" (EA 518 309) as a response to Wade's meta-analysis of inservice teacher education also appearing in this issue (EA 518 308). A closer look at the major findings is needed. (DCS)

While schools cannot--should not--attempt to provide answers to controversial questions, they do need to teach children to pose those questions themselves and to examine them objectively. Regular forums in public schools in which various social issues are analyzed and discussed from a variety of viewpoints are one possibility. (Author/DCS)

With parent and community input, the school board can develop policies that will prevent unnecessary conflicts and help resolve others involving controversial issues in the curriculum. (Author/DCS)

Change in the way social issues are addressed depends on our recognizing the value of using issues to improve thinking and decision-making skills and to develop historicalmindedness and a global perspective rather than learning the content of particular topics or the "right" answer about an issue. (Author/DCS)

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction defused a potentially explosive situation involving the teaching of biological origins by involving members of the educational community in statewide committees that produced two documents focusing on the distinction between science and religion and providing technical assistance. (DCS)

This article offers guidelines drawn from the last 200 years of ethical theory to aid educators in discerning between "uncontroversial" questions to which they can assume the correct answer is known and legitimately "controversial" questions requiring great care to be fair to the various points of view. (Author/DCS)

To help educators deal with controversial issues, the references in this list of resources address the types of objections frequently raised about instructional materials, ideas for school policy, the position statement of a professional organization on the teaching of controversial issues, teaching suggestions, and related legal considerations.…

The "skills trace" is a textbook evaluation process by which an evaluator isolates one skill and reads every reference listed in the index of the teacher's manual. The evaluator then observes how that skill is introduced, taught, practiced, and tested throughout the grades. (Author/DCS)

School systems can promote computer literacy among teachers by starting at the administrative level, making inservice comprehensive and long-term, providing concrete support, and offering opportunities for participation. (Author)

As a response to Joyce Killian's article in the same issue of "Educational Leadership" (EA 513 318), this article discusses the increased staff development responsibility placed on administrators as a result of the necessity for an appropriate environment and opportunities for promoting voluntary technological growth. (Author/DCS)

Describes a districtwide thinking skills program developed by teachers in an Illinois elementary school. (MD)

Describes a classroom project for middle school students where developmental theory was translated into instruction promoting cognitive development. (MD)

Discusses the development of the thinking function and factors influencing that development, and presents strategies for teaching thinking. (MD)