Through case-study reports, this paper examines the development of two induction-year teachers (years one to three) through their participation in a professional development community in the United States: the Invitational Summer Institute (ISI) of the National Writing Project. Typically, the ISI focuses its professional development efforts on…

The experience and reflection of participants of the Kansas Educational Leadership Institute (KELI) program are the focus of this article. Many Kansas superintendents face the challenge of working hundreds of miles from colleagues who wear similar hats and work in comparable roles. Often the closest professional mentors or peers live hours away,…

Despite the popularity of leadership education on college campuses, little is known about what individual participants learn and remember. This longitudinal study examines the impact of a leadership education retreat through the eyes of six undergraduate college men. Entry and exit interviews, along with intensive one and two year follow-up…

This paper explores the National Writing Project model as it relates to enhancing the professionalism of teachers. It traces the historical development of the National Writing Project (NWP). describes the practices of the NWP summer institutes, and provides an analysis of teachers' satisfaction with their experiences in the summer institutes.…

This report presents results of a study completed in fall 2004 by Inverness Research Associates on behalf of the National Writing Project (NWP). The study was designed to satisfy a U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) requirement that programs assess participants' satisfaction with their professional development experiences, and also assess the…

This paper describes techniques for creating a simplified form for evaluating the effectiveness of a distance learning event (i.e., a training or educational program occurring within 1 day) for which the development of comprehensive measures is often not feasible because the brevity of the event precludes the justification for a lengthy…

American University sponsored two summer institutes in urban affairs to expose college educators to major developments in the area and to give them training for developing or upgrading their own programs. The program's effectiveness is evaluated and institutes as a means of continuing education for educators are discussed. (JMD)

This study was conducted to ascertain the impact on the subsequent professional practices of institute directors and participants and to collect the opinions of these people regarding instruction, organization and administration of the 29 institutes. Mailed questionnaires were returned by 28 directors and 671 participants. Findings included: (1)…

In spring 1995, a study was conducted at William Rainey Harper College (WRHC) in Illinois to determine the characteristics and perceptions of students enrolled in WRHC's Institute for Supervisory and Management Development from fall 1993 through spring 1995. Surveys were completed by 27 currently enrolled estimated for this study used K. S.…

One of the greatest challenges we face as an early childhood professional community is providing short-term, affordable professional development that results in depth of understanding and change of practice. The University of Wyoming Early Childhood Summer Institute is a model for professional development that fosters reflection, inquiry, and…

This four-part report describes a federally funded program at the University of Alabama which provided postgraduate personal and professional development activities to women and minority group scholars. The goals of Project Growth are described: (1) to provide opportunities for advanced study and research of significant educational problems; (2)…

This report presents a summary and evaluation of the 8-day "Springboards to Learning" Institute, designed for involvement of both educator and community participants in a mutual effort to increase familiarity with and achieve competencies in the effective implementation of career education within the local schools and community. (Over…

The effectiveness of a four-week residential summer institute, developed by the Higher Education Resource Services (HERS, Mid-Atlantic), the University of Pennsylvania, and Bryn Mawr College, to train women for administrative positions in higher education was assessed in a 1978 study and will be evaluated in a longitudinal analysis. The institute…