What professional development do assessment professionals need to succeed in higher education? To meet the rising demands in the field, assessment professionals seek ways to improve their skill sets. The current study utilized survey responses from over 200 higher education assessment professionals across the United States to assess the amount of…

By prioritizing engagement opportunities, faculty development programs have the potential to help participants build relationships with available support systems, consider the perspectives and needs of their students, and interact with a community of practice. This article considers the engagement strategies that remain core to a professional…

Pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) has been widely recognised as an important aspect of the expertise for teaching. However, the extent to which teachers' own teaching practice can be a learning resource for them to develop PCK has not been systematically explored. This empirical study aimed to explore the unique contribution of the work of…

All teachers need high-quality, relevant, ongoing professional development, but it is particularly hard to come by in rural areas. The Kentucky Valley Educational Cooperative (KVEC), an educational service agency serving some of the most economically distressed rural counties in America, has been leading one promising model for delivering…

Facilitated networking, integrated into professional development programs, allows faculty participants to foster opportunities for engagement while strengthening collaborative relationships that help to humanize digital learning. This article considers the networking that is central to a professional development program that credentials faculty at…

This practical guide shows leaders how to implement and sustain a robust microcredentialing program in their school or district. Teachers require rigorous professional learning that ensures mastery rather than simply marking time served. Microcredentials offer a competency-based approach to professional learning that can be tailored to…

Given the complex roles of special educators, it is important that they be offered tailored professional development (PD) opportunities. Unfortunately, most PD tends to occur in "sit-and-get" formats, with generalized content that may or may not meet the needs of attendees. Districts are starting to investigate the use of…

In this report, the authors provide a preliminary look at the Improving Pre-Engineering and Computer Science Education Through Micro-Credentialing project to develop and implement micro-credentials as a means of providing scalable, competency-based certification of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teaching skills in…

There are few areas where American teachers are as united as they are in their dissatisfaction with their professional learning and advancement opportunities. The lack of meaningful offerings affects states' ability to attract, develop, and retain strong teachers, which in turn impedes schools' ability to help students fulfill their potential.…

In recent years, opportunities for student affairs educators to pursue professional development have increased. These opportunities include pursuing additional degrees or learning experiences sponsored by professional associations. However, these opportunities come with physical and financial costs that need to be collectively assessed and…

Computer science, cybersecurity education, and microcredentials are becoming more pervasive in all levels of the educational system. The purpose of this study was partnering with precollegiate teachers: (1) to investigate the self-efficacy of 30 precollegiate teacher participants towards computer science before, during, and after three iterations…

For more than three decades, the inclusion of children with disabilities in early childhood education settings has been developing worldwide in educational research, policy, and real-world practice. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a Special Needs Inclusive Practices Credential Program with early educators working in the…

The impact of the pandemic has revealed just how important teachers are to a nation's economic productivity and to the very social fabric and well-being of any society. It has also revealed more starkly the socio-economic and digital divides that teachers continue to address daily to support student learning. How then, to best support teachers own…

California has a two-tiered credential structure for education administrators. The first tier is the Preliminary Administrative Services Credential. An individual who has completed all requirements for a preliminary credential but does not have an offer of employment in an administrative position may apply for a Certificate of Eligibility, which…

Digital badges promise greater transparency and granularity in documenting the professional learning and knowledge base of teachers compared to traditional credentials like certificates of attendance, resumes, and transcripts. Yet before they gain widespread acceptance, educational leaders must understand what they are, how to use them, and how to…