Staff Development: Identifying Positive Relationship Roles between Higher Education and Public Education.

Overview & Synopsis

In the last few years, a significant change in staff development has occurred, which has led to a surge toward collaboration between professionals in higher education and public education. Educators tend to have problems with this joint venture as it relates to role identification, because it requres that specific duties or responsibilities assigned to designated administrators and/or faculty in both higher education and public education to clarify consultant versus particpant obligations. This role identification could fall into the categories of information exchange, relevant programming, and protection of expertise. These categories are the major areas of concern in staff development today. Guidelines developed by Barnes and Murphy for increasing interaction programs non-judgmental; when possible, include administrators; reduce scheduling difficulties; and allow coaching teams to remain together for at least 2 years. Dimensions for enhancing morale suggested by Gross and Herriott include: display a sense of pride in the workplace; enjoy the work assignments; and work cooperatively with fellow educators. The collaboration of staff development between higher education and public education can make a major change in promoting excellence in education for the 1990s, leading to a more secure future for later generations. Contains 4 references. (SM)