Making the Most of Professional Development: How Teacher-Led Professional Development Influences Teaching Practices

• In Event: 69.056 - Roundtable Session 31
  In Roundtable Session: 69.056-12 - Teacher Development Across Content Areas: Utilizing Knowledge to Improve Teaching and Learning

Abstract

Research suggests teacher professional development (PD) is effective when it is hands-on, ongoing, tailored to classrooms, and integrated into school improvement plans. In this time of tight budgets and intense focus on teacher effectiveness, how can districts provide this type of training? This evaluation examined an approach to PD in which teachers in a grant-funded graduate program provide PD to colleagues. Through surveys and interviews, the study found that teacher leaders conveyed their learning to colleagues through a variety of activities that colleagues found influenced their teaching. Furthermore, when teachers participated in more PD, and when this PD was integrated into the overall school improvement plan, participants were more likely to report that it was influential.

Authors

• Elizabeth Gandhi, Education Northwest

• Caitlin Scott, Education Northwest

• Lisa Marie Dillman, Education Northwest