Professional development programs are based on different theories of how students learn and different theories of how teachers learn. Reviewers often sort programs according to design features such as program duration, intensity, or the use of specific techniques such as coaches or online lessons, but these categories do not illuminate the…

This study used a systematic process modeled after the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) study review process to answer the question: What does the causal research say are effective math professional development interventions for K-12 teachers aimed at improving student achievement? The study identified and screened 910 research studies in a…

This report gives a brief account of the history and policies of teacher organizations in the United States. It provides profiles of several local, state, and national independent education organizations, notes the services they offer for teachers, and discusses their strengths and weaknesses. The first two sections on the National Education…

Writing instruction must provide structured experiences that expose students to every step in the composition process and use insights gained from current research. Teachers must themselves become writers, and concentrate on encouraging fluency rather than grammatical correctness. Strategies for training teachers are suggested, and those used in…

D. M. Kagan's (1992) developmental learning-to-teach model reflects her emphasis on mastery of procedural routines and highlights only one sector of the teacher education community. Kagan's claim that research supports a developmental model misrepresents the full body of research on professional growth among preservice teachers. (RLC)

Reviews 40 learning-to-teach naturalistic and qualitative studies between 1987 and 1991. Preservice and first-year teaching constitutes one developmental stage during which novices acquire student knowledge, modify/reconstruct their personal self-images as teachers, and develop standard procedural routines that integrate classroom management and…

This study, begun in October 1987, was conducted to explore the effect of particular contexts of schooling on educational outcomes and to provide a comprehensive look at what and how context conditions affect teaching and learning. The study design integrates 3 years of field research in 16 public and private high schools in 2 states and analyses…

This publication reviews what is known about professional development in elementary and secondary education including its organization, costs, effects on practice, and principles for guiding future professional development programs. Recent reform efforts that have put higher standards in place are examined for their effect on the practice of…

Self-evaluation is becoming an essential component of both formative and summative teacher evaluation systems. This paper defines self-evaluation as the process of judging one's own performance for purposes of self-improvement. Teachers use both formal and informal methods to assess their students' classroom performance; however, when they attend…

This paper consists of an examination of current thinking on the factors influencing teacher training effectiveness and of a report of preliminary findings from a study of inservice teacher education. Previous research identifies five major components of training common to most inservice programs as presentation of theory, demonstration or…

Methods of attracting, preparing, and retaining a solid cadre of dedicated, effective teachers in Wisconsin's schools are considered. Ideas and programs are offered for local school boards, the state legislature, teachers and administrators, and the general public. Specific recommendations are made on: (1) attracting competent individuals to…

This book examines U.S. progress in revitalizing teacher education and reforming K-12 education via Professional Development Schools (PDS's). The book discusses whether PDS's are: improving K-12 curriculum and instruction through faculty development; making substantive, positive differences in students' learning levels; addressing the needs of…