This report summarizes the 2006-2007 evaluation that was focused toward investigating one primary question: What changes in tool-based, student-centered teaching happen as a result of the infusion of technology and professional development? The research methodology involved the use of trained external researchers from Florida EETT schools…

Given the lack of preparation incoming school district superintendents receive and the many challenges they face, this article reviews the approach of the few existing programs for new superintendents and describes the leadership development strategies that would be beneficial. With this background, the article presents the findings from an…

This paper provides an overview of Nebraska's K-12 Internet Evaluation Project, undertaken cooperatively between the University of Nebraska at Omaha and the Nebraska Consortium of Educational Service Units. The purpose of the project is to document the implementation model and effectiveness of its K-12 telecomputing activities as they impact upon…

In 1992, the 7-year-old Community Study Visits program was given a new organizational structure to coordinate its aims with those of three European Community programs: PETRA, FORCE, and EUROTECNET. A cooperative network of representatives of the Member States, the National Liaison Officers, was set up. The success of visits depended on the…

A study was conducted to examine the feasibility, problems, benefits, and implications of the use of the mastery learning strategy in secondary marketing programs implementing the MarkED Model Program. The MarkED Model Program, begun in 1982, is a professional development activity for secondary marketing educators that uses a competency-based,…

Second-year outcomes of the Oregon School Improvement and Professional Development Project, which included 54 new and 32 continuing program sites, are presented in this report. Interviews with 187 staff members from 24 sites generated information on program impacts on goal development, assessment activities, school-based management, and…

A reflective coaching program was implemented to improve the professional work culture of a school district with morale problems because of labor disputes and strikes. An underlying principle of the program emphasized the role of teachers as the key instructional decision-makers for the classroom. The guiding principle for the teacher-coach…

Beginning in September, 2001 when the Portland Public Schools received funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) through the Urban Systemic Program (USP) initiative, the district focused, accelerated and strengthened its efforts to improve mathematics and science education K-12. Since its inception the authors at Inverness Research…

This research literature on educational technology has identified important contextual factors that influence how technology is used in educational settings. In May of this year, EDC conducted the 2006 Instructional Practices and Classroom Use of Technology Survey with over a thousand teachers. This report first presents the overall survey…

This paper reports on a 3-year computer initiative implemented by a school district in a metropolitan area. The initiative began in 1996 and continued through 1998. The school district of 44,000 students funded 5 computers and an ink jet color printer in each elementary classroom in 34 schools. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact…

This final report discusses the activities and outcomes of a program at the University of Oregon designed to address the ongoing need for leadership personnel who are experts with infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children who are at risk or have disabilities and their families. The program was designed to prepare a minimum of 10 doctoral…

This study examined the effectiveness of teachers trained in a Professional Development School (PDS) versus a traditional program. The paper begins with data from earlier research which shows that PDSs prepare graduates better for teaching and managing classrooms than do traditional programs. This study used the North Carolina Teacher Performance…

In this article, the author discusses a partnership between Baylor University and the Waco public schools that embeds every teacher-candidate--from the freshman year on--into the K-12 system. To test whether professional-development schools, modeled after teaching hospitals, can be scaled up so that all of a college's teaching candidates--not just…

Professional development practices in schools have been changing recently, particularly with the mandates regarding professional development through No Child Left Behind. In 2001, the National Staff Development Council revised its standards of professional development to shift thinking in this area and reflect the changing needs of schools,…

A collaborative partnership provides school administrators and university researchers an opportunity to evaluate a school-based initiative. Richards Middle School (RMS) in Columbus, Georgia identified school improvement goals and involved university researchers in a collaborative evaluation with implications for strengthening leadership, training,…