Outlines a 10-step model of performance management from corporate and government practices for use in teaching appraisal. Performance management emphasizes each teacher's uniqueness while recognizing the need to support school system goals. Steps include: build rapport, identify key results areas, jointly determine specific objectives, and…

Summarizes a survey of 239 New Zealand elementary school educators. New Zealand's experience shows that national policymaking, which largely excludes school staff, still substantially influences everyday school operations. When site-based management occurs in a vacuum, devoid of interest, support, initiatives, and well-grounded information, school…

The Comprehensive Instructional Management System (CIMS) is a partnership between the state of New York and local school districts. Regional teams integrate curriculum, assessment, instructional support, and staff development for local schools by focusing on student outcomes. (MD)

Describes three networks of British schools that are successfully banding together to assist one another with restructuring, school-based management, curriculum changes, staff development, and record keeping. Networks varied in size and scope, but all three were committed to dialog, cooperation, and solidarity in the interest of improving…

The skills acquired in a Job-Alike Workshop can go a long way toward reducing the "I don't get no respect" syndrome compounded by high student/supervisor ratios. When support personnel learn student management strategies, their daily tasks are easier, and the positive effects are noticeable throughout the entire school. (MLH)

In its 1982 long-range school improvement plan, the Muhlenberg (Pennsylvania) School District targeted mathematical computation skills, focusing on (1) developing a management information system to document student achievement; (2) redesigning the curriculum; (3) aligning regular and remedial mathematics programs; and (4) implementing a…

Interest in staff development for principals bodes well for teachers and students. By engaging in and modeling learning, principals can create a community of learners. (MLF)

A school administrator describes her experience in developing her administrative skills at the National Association of Secondary School Principals Assessment Center. (JM)

Based on extensive policy and procedure reviews and on interviews with district administrators and staff development personnel in four school districts, this article identifies some promising procedures for managing school-based improvements within a district. This process, with specific administrative assignments, is discussed in detail. Includes…

Lawrence (Kansas) Public Schools has discovered that four components--clear expectations, focus on results, effective support systems, and good modeling--have substantially helped staff keep pace with constant societal and educational changes. The program's success may be attributed to six components: a professional development council,…

Educational improvements should not depend on "heroic" efforts. Administrators need to develop ways to support innovation systematically. Four conditions are important for facilitating improvement: (1)available time, (2) cushions against interference, (3) encouragement, and (4) recognition of the need for incorporation. (MD)

Intensive Assistance is presented as a routine to be used in helping marginal teachers improve. It is a systems team approach and provides a vehicle for developing human resources. (MD)

After an I/D/E/A conference on 4MAT learning styles, a Colorado school district developed a site-based staff development program with numerous spinoff offerings and applications. Teachers are using the 4MAT process to restructure curriculum and assess student learning in innovative ways. (MLH)

Although teachers can gain as much as students from practicing conflict resolution procedures, they often remain unconvinced about benefits unless they actually try them. Drawing on experimental programs in Pittsburgh and New York City, this article describes the basics of moving adults from conflict to collaboration. Morton Deutsch's sidebar…

Decreasing teacher turnover, public criticism of the school, and other factors are leading to new efforts in the area of staff development--many occurring at the local building level. (Author)