High School Administrators' Perception of the Effectiveness of Professional Development PDF Download

Author: Rodney J. Williams
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Electronic dissertations
Languages : en
Pages : 114

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Book Description
Author's abstract: The importance of professional development has been emphasized in recent legislation and accountability acts. As Georgia competes for Race to the Top Funds, high school administrators are being required to attend various professional development activities. These may address the new teacher evaluation system, common core, and techniques on how to close the gap between high-achieving students and students with a learning disability. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative study was to understand high school administrators' perceptions of the effectiveness of professional development. This qualitative study used a case study design with purposive sampling. Participants included twelve high school administrators currently serving in a rural Georgia school system. The participants completed a survey and participated in face-to face interviews. Surveys were used to collect demographic information and information about professional development activities the participants experienced. Face-to-face interviews were recorded and transcribed by the researcher. The audio-recorded interviews were transcribed and coded for patterns in responses, from which major themes evolved. The goal of this study was to provide district level profession development coordinators, county officials, and administrators with findings regarding administrator's perceptions of professional development activities. This study provided high school administrators an opportunity to reflect on professional development activities in which they have participated and to report on their perceptions of the effectiveness of various professional development activities. By reviewing the data provided from the survey and face-to-face interviews, district level professional development coordinators may consider new ideas on the content and delivery methods of professional development activities that could impact day-to-day activities of high school administrators.

Author: Robert L. Walker
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Follow-up in teacher training
Languages : en
Pages : 134

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Book Description
The need for systemic academic improvements may significantly impact the way professional development is perceived and practiced in high schools today. The purpose of the present qualitative case study was to examine the perceptions of teachers and administrators in five high schools in south central Pennsylvania regarding staff development. This study examined how novice and veteran teachers and administrators perceived the (a) context, (b) process, and (c) content vital to the process of staff development. Furthermore, this study sought to find the interconnectedness between the current body of research and the perceptions of novice and veteran administrators as well as novice and veteran teachers regarding the impact of collaborative professional learning experiences in order to improve professional practice. Finally, this study investigated the perceived change in classroom practice as a result of implementing new practices gained from professional development experiences. These perceptions were gathered through (a) surveys, (b) interviews, and (c) group interviews. This study used five suburban high schools in two counties in South Central Pennsylvania. The most prevalent themes that established a connection to change in teacher behavior as a result of professional development activities identified in this study were (a) collaboration with other teachers, (b) personal value, (c) limited objectives, and (d) connections to evaluation. This study could serve school districts as a resource to evaluate and improve current professional development systems within their schools with intent of improving the efficiency and effectiveness professional development activities.

Author: Anna Theresa Perry
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Teacher effectiveness
Languages : en
Pages : 169

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Book Description
The value of professional development continues to be emphasized on educational and governmental levels. Even as this study was being conducted, the U.S. Department of Education launched a $4.35 billion dollar grant that includes improving teacher effectiveness as a core component of the grant's purpose. While the importance of the professional development of educators is clear, what is less clear is the type of professional development that transforms teaching practices and positively impacts student outcomes. Evaluations of professional development programs are critical in identifying ways to impact teacher practice and ultimately student outcomes. Guskey (2000) provides a model for evaluating professional development that includes five stages of information collection. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a professional development initiative in one large school system in North Carolina by applying Guskey's model to examining specific elements of the initiative, surveying teacher and administrator perceptions of the initiative, and analyzing trends in student outcomes that occurred during the six year period the initiative was implemented. A mixed methodology approach combining quantitative and qualitative methods was used. Electronic survey responses from 2,309 teachers and administrators were analyzed quantitatively using frequency distribution statistics, as well as the Fisher's exact test to analyze the relationship of responses between teachers and administrators. Additionally, trends in proficiency student outcome data as well as trends in AYP status were examined during the period the professional development initiative was implemented in the school district. For the qualitative data, open-ended survey responses from 77 principals were analyzed using frequency distribution statistics. This study corroborated the finding from other research studies in the professional literature that indicate the difficulty of linking professional development to student outcomes. The results of this study also support the literature suggesting that specific elements must be present in order for the professional development to be translated into teaching practice. This study has many implications for school leaders as they plan professional development initiatives. Recommendations for planning, implementing, and evaluating, professional development initiatives are included.

Author: Thomas R. Guskey
Publisher: Corwin Press
ISBN: 9780761975618
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 332

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Book Description
Explains how to better evaluate professional development in order to ensure that it increases student learning, providing questions for accurate measurement of professional development and showing how to demonstrate results and accountability.

Author: Teresa L. Ohrt
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : School administrators
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
This study was a qualitative case study with a phenomenological approach that included interviews with two district administrators, three building administrators and nine teachers. The analysis determined the district's professional development system, what administrators' intended, what professional development aspects teachers deemed as most effective, and what teachers perceived as the impact of the professional development on their practice.

Author: Imelda R. Castaňeda
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 266

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Book Description
This study sought to test whether multidimensional professional development programs are preferable to a traditional one, which, typically, consists of taking a graduate course. It compared teachers' perceptions about the effects of three programs for professional development on their teaching practice and student performance. Two of the programs, the Arts Integration Program and Job Shadowing Institute, were multidimensional models of professional development. The third was Technology Training, a traditional model of professional development. The purpose of the study was to contribute to the body of knowledge about teachers' perceptions of the effect of professional development on their teaching practice and their students' learning. The study included elementary, middle, and high school teachers as participants and survey respondents. It spanned three years. Descriptive data were collected to provide an accurate description of the three programs. Participant observations of professional development sessions, informal and formal interviews of teachers, administrators, and facilitators were among the data collection tools used during the first two years of the study to provide a detailed description of the actual programs. The main focus of the study was a survey of participants' perceptions of the effect of professional development on their teaching and their students' learning. Survey results indicated that teachers perceived that professional development could be most effective for improving their teaching practice and student learning when the professional development programs are intentional, on going, and systemic. The non-traditional, multidimensional professional development was found to be more effective than the traditional model. However, the results of the study also indicated that even a traditional model of professional development was perceived as having an impact on students' learning when applications were made to curricular content and when there was support for further training. Based on these findings, a model or 'scaffold' towards effective professional development was conceptualized using constructs and characteristics that might influence teaching practice and student learning. Results are discussed in the light of the limitations of the study, implications for education, and suggestions for future research.

Author: Kristi T. Sayers
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : High school teachers
Languages : en
Pages : 167

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Book Description
This qualitative multiple case study explored what district leaders, high school administrators, and high school teachers in a large southeastern school district in the United States thought about participating in Professional Learning Communities (PLC)s as a form of professional learning for teachers. One common method of professional development over the last decade is the Professional Learning Communities. Learning communities are popular as a way to support student achievement; however, there is limited research to show how teachers learn as a result of participating in professional learning communities. There is also limited research to support this type of professional development as effective professional development in the high school setting. My study helped to fill the gap by looking at whether this method of professional development supports adult learning and creates a change in classroom practice. The study was conducted in one school system that had created a strategic plan for continuous school improvement involving the mandatory use of professional learning communities in its schools. The system had a sustained 7-year effort and provided time and resources for the professional learning communities. The participants included four district leaders, five administrators, and three focus groups consisting of 25 total teachers. Data analysis was conducted at two different levels, within each individual case and across the three cases. Individual case analysis was conducted for three cases: (1) district leaders; (2) high school administrators; and (3) high school teachers. For each case, themes and subthemes emerged. A cross-case analysis of the three cases revealed similarities and differences among the three individual cases. Four themes emerged from the cross-case analysis: (1) administrator responsibility; (2) attitude; (3) collaboration; and (4) authentic learning. The four themes presented a description of how professional learning communities support adult learning. Because of this qualitative study, school districts and administrators may have a better understanding of how to structure their professional learning communities to support adult learning for their teachers.

Author: Douglas B. Reeves
Publisher: ASCD
ISBN: 1416609490
Category : Follow-up in teacher training
Languages : en
Pages : 171

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Book Description
If you're tired of professional development that takes up too much time and delivers too little, then you'll appreciate this guide to effective and sustainable practices that help educators make a measurable difference for their schools and their students.

Author: Marsha Speck
Publisher: Corwin Press
ISBN: 1483304221
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 185

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Book Description
"In Why Can′t We Get It Right? Second Edition, Marsha Speck and Caroll Knipe provide a thorough overview of what is known about the nature of professional development that produces high levels of learning and performance for teachers and their students. They admirably achieve their goal of showing how well-designed professional development with a clear focus on improved student learning can make a difference in teaching and student success." —From the Foreword by Dennis Sparks, Executive Director National Staff Development Council How can we use professional development to provide the best teaching and learning opportunities for all students? To increase student achievement and prepare all students to meet standards, educators must be well prepared. Teachers who know their content and strategies can open a virtual toolbox and take out what they need to help all students become successful. This thoroughly revised and updated edition of Why Can′t We Get It Right? explains how educational leaders can design, deliver, and evaluate collaborative standards-based professional development. In this unique and indispensable guide, Marsha Speck and Caroll Knipe provide professional development designs, challenging teachers to make a difference for students and resulting in dramatically improved schools. This excellent resource contains: Essential questions about high-quality professional development Information on creating the culture for a learning community Conditions and processes for professional development Suggestions on designing your own model Tools for evaluating and rethinking professional development and learning Strategies for deepening a leader′s impact on a standards-based system If we are to improve learning and achievement in our schools, we must also nourish the growth of educators and foster a learner-centered environment!

Author: Ramina Issac
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Teachers
Languages : en
Pages : 86

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Book Description
Exceptional educators help create outstanding learners. Research suggests that knowledgeable educators are vital factors to the schools and influencing student success. Therefore it is imperative to consider how the educators are trained and support both new and experienced teachers. The purpose of this study was to define the effects of professional development on educators and their perception of staff development in one selected school district, studying the effectiveness of professional development. This study attempted to find the connection between participating in any professional development and teacher effectiveness. Moreover it analyzed whether educators participating in professional development had more knowledge and skills after trainings and retain what they had learned. Furthermore this study measured how teachers perceived the effectiveness of their trainers and their skills to transfer the extended talents to their classroom. A qualitative research method was used in two educational facilities in one school district. Thirty educators representing two schools responded to the survey. The educators were given the opportunity to participate in a survey that asked them a variety of questions pertaining to professional development. The outcomes of this analysis reinforced the research literature and provide multiple recommendations for all educators that participate in staff development. Proposals and suggestions for strategies and practices are incorporated.