In their full essay for "Reach the Highest Standard in Professional Learning: Resources," the authors note that more rigorous instructional requirements combined with tighter budgets challenge school systems to think more deliberately about where and how they invest in teaching effectiveness. They write that forward-thinking school…

When school district leaders attend instructional sessions about professional learning, they might take away a few ideas and strategies they want to try. But when experts provide those districts with ongoing coaching, the educators are more likely to gain the ability to create strong professional learning systems that benefit all educators. That…

In this article the authors describe a three-step instructional coaching cycle that can helps coaches become more effective. The article provides the steps and related components to: (1) Identify; (2) Learn; and (3) Improve. While the instructional coaching cycle is only one effective coaching program, coaches also need professional learning that…

The major challenge with time is finding it. Current school-day schedules and school-year calendars are leaner than ever because of budget reductions. States and districts have implemented furlough days to balance lean-and-mean budgets that show no sign of improving. Few are willing to take the leap toward reducing instructional time to improve…

Education policy in the province of Alberta is set by Alberta Education, a ministry led by the province's minister of education. There are two key policies or ministerial orders that guide professional learning in Alberta. The Teaching Quality Standard outlines the knowledge, skills, and attributes that teachers are expected to possess. The…

The idea of teachers working together to improve teaching and learning seems so sensible that few would argue against it. However, some schools do not provide regular and ample opportunities for teachers to collaborate on their practice mainly because they do not know how to find new ways of using existing resources, such as time and personnel. In…

If principals expect to reap the full benefits of having teacher leaders in coaching positions, they should create working conditions that encourage positive relationships, reduce risks, and provide leadership development. To take full advantage of school-based coaches, principals must provide them with appropriate support. This paper discusses…

The author had been a high school English teacher for 15 years when her district transformed two traditional high schools into 10 small schools of choice. In this article, the author shares how the staff of one small school, with the help of professional development and a true sense of empowerment, created a small school culture and aligned the…

Current high school reform often focuses on small schools, small learning communities, and alternative paths to post-secondary education. While these reforms are necessary, recent evaluations of improving high-poverty high schools in urban districts (American Institutes for Research & SRI International, 2004 & 2005) suggest these changes are not…

Rural teachers generally have a long-term commitment to teaching, personal ties with and credibility in the community, and a small work-place conducive to promoting necessary staff interaction. A cooperative staff development program is described that is based on the unique circumstances of rural schools. (JD)

In Colorado, a project was developed to teach participants a collaborative planning process for staff development and to assist in the design of a system of personnel development. Areas covered included: (1) selection of cadre members; (2) participation; (3) program design; and (4) consultants' reflections. (JN)

Traditional needs assessments strategies are inadequate today. Today's needs assessment involves determining problems, priorities, opportunities, and learning needs before making decisions about professional development. Four questions to guide discussions on needs assessment include whether it was planned collaboratively, whether multiple sources…

The Norfolk, Va., Public Schools began to close the gap with powerful learning, new instruction, and support.

Describes the benefits of teaching students using research lessons, focusing on Japan's use of research lessons to teach elementary school science. Research lessons are planned collaboratively and bring to life in a lesson a particular goal or vision of education. The paper notes how research lessons impact teachers' instruction and describes…

A model of inservice training for teachers of mainstreamed students focuses on the development of a multidisciplinary staff support team which provides consultation to the staff members of a school. The establishment of building-based teams, types of assistance, administrative support, and accessibility of service are detailed. (JN)