The Influence of Teacher Leadership Capacity in a Professional Development School to Foster School Renewal

• In Event: 61.058 - Recommendations for Professional Development Schools Related to Preservice Teachers, Teacher Roles, and the Partnership

Abstract

This study draws upon complexity theory to share the results of a longitudinal, mixed methods study examining the role of teacher leadership capacity development in a professional development school (PDS) to support school renewal. The results show that teacher leadership capacity development as a part of the PDS model played a major role in the renewal of Hope Elementary, ultimately saving the school from closure or takeover from an outside agency. Six years worth of data revealed improvement in teacher retention, teacher practice, teacher leadership, professional development, school culture and climate, parent and student perceptions of the school, and student achievement as measured by state standardized test scores.

Authors

• Rebecca West Burns, University of South Florida

• Samantha Haraf, University of South Florida - Tampa

• Patricia T. Simmons, Hillsborough County Public School District

• Woodland Johnson, Mort Elementary School