Using the Head Start On-Site Program Review Instrument (OSPRI) To Train Principals in Developmentally Appropriate Classroom Practices.

This practicum was designed to help principals who supervise school district prekindergarten classes become more knowledgeable about developmentally appropriate educational practices by using the Head Start On-Site Program Review Instrument (OSPRI). Inservice training was designed and presented in three segments and included an independent follow-up activity which encouraged participants to apply learning. A total of 9 of the 21 school principals who supervise prekindergarten classes were familiarized with research about high-quality early childhood programs, with the local program configuration, with Head Start Education Performance Standards and developmentally appropriate classroom practices, and with the Head Start review instrument, the OSPRI. Qualitative data indicated that those principals who participated in the training showed increased knowledge about developmentally appropriate practices. Five appendixes provide copies of the prekindergarten administrator's inservice evaluation form, the objectives and agenda of the three inservice training sessions, and samples of the principals' responses on the inservice evaluation forms. (MDM)