While professional development is a requirement for all educators, many teachers have a negative opinion of PD. Districts have attempted to use professional learning communities and the presence of instructional coaches as an answer to the concerns of irrelevant professional development. This study examined educators' opinions of an opt-in…

Educators are demanding learning specific to their needs, and there are more options than ever for school systems to personalize learning. Sometimes these personalized learning options go hand-in-hand with teacher effectiveness systems that districts use to identify areas for educator growth. At the same time, schools and teams set collective…

This study explored teachers' perceptions of implementing personalized learning in several urban elementary school classrooms. Additionally, this study examined teachers' readiness for change through the lens of Ely's (1990) Eight Conditions of Change Model. The study participants included five elementary school teachers and the school principal.…

This report describes the implementation of professional development (PD) reforms and efforts to use teacher effectiveness (TE) data to inform PD through the third year of the initiative for all seven sites: Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS), Shelby County Schools (SCS, formerly Memphis City Schools), Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS), and…

This author states her belief that there must be an answer to devising an effective and credible way to link compensation to professional development and improved teaching. Such a model would need to be transparent, equitable, and financially manageable for the school. It would need to marry objectivity with the art of teaching, and have buy-in…

This article examines how inclusive education activities can be facilitated through coaching as a means of professional development. A review of literature on effective professional development practices is discussed, and a recent study focused on individualized peer coaching is examined.

Research highlights the importance of individualized approaches and coaching to ongoing professional learning (Darling-Hammond, Wei, Andree, Richardson, & Orphanos, 2009). The purpose of this article is to describe an initiative that set out to help all students become proficient readers by 3rd grade. It demonstrates how coaching can support…

Mentors' perceptions of factors associated with educational change were identified following an individualized mentoring program about constructivist curriculum for early childhood educators. A qualitative case study analysis of the mentors' journals of six classrooms was conducted to review their perceptions of change. Classroom environment…

The purpose of this study was to develop a model for professional development based upon the views of in-service (practicing) music educators regarding their own professional development experiences and preferences. Toward this end, a survey was developed that gathered data from in-service music educators who were all members of the North Jersey…

Providing appropriate programs for young children with disabilities is a priority of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1990 (IDEA), recently reauthorized as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) of 2004. The IDEIA requires that programs be provided in natural or least restrictive environments, and…

The article discusses micro-training needs and various possible solutions, including existing programs, self-study programs, special assignments, field trips, coaching, seminars and workshops, university programs, and professional conventions and conferences. (MF)

Academic advising with adults in individualized college programs requires the development of new faculty skills. The paper provides a bibliography, a brief section on advising in traditional programs, a major focus on specific requirements of emerging faculty roles, and a concluding section on implications for faculty development and evaluation.…

The development and implementation of clinical inservice for the Collier County Master Inservice Plan is described. Clinical inservice is a learning situation where the consultant and teacher are together with the pupil who is the ultimate recipient of the benefits derived from the anticipated newly acquired skills or knowledge. Clinical inservice…

The purpose of this study was to determine the degree of relationship between the effectiveness of the Instruction and Research Unit in the areas of instructional program (reading and mathematics), organizational operations (procedural and substantive), school-community relations, and staff development to several measures of student affective…

The results of a three-year study in which consultants worked with faculty members and, using data from student evaluations, helped them implement the instructional improvement ideas of teachers rated highly by students are reported. (MSE)