The paper focuses on the need for trained mentors in developing new hires in any profession and outlines a developmental theoretical framework as a basis for mentor training. To illustrate the success of trained developmental mentoring, a unique mentoring program called the Kansas Early Career/Mentor Teacher Academy is reviewed. The paper shares…

The George Washington University's Urban Initiative Professional Development School (UI-PDS) partnership used interviews, surveys, focus groups, and observations to research its effectiveness in preparing urban educators. The research conducted with UI-PDS preservice teachers and first year graduates, indicates they were well equipped to meet the…

This study describes the results of an evaluation of the Individualized Learning Intervention, a mentoring program for early childhood educators. This mentoring program includes 3 components: Mentor Teacher Seminar, Mentor teachers supporting professional development of Protege teachers throughout the school year, and Mentor coordinator meetings…

This book presents case studies of schools' journeys towards effective CPD practice as part of a TDA national project. It tells the story of the goals set and achieved, and the challenges and successes along the way. Each case study makes specific reference to the nine factors or approaches to CPD identified in the book as underpinning effective…

The purpose of this study was to develop a model for evaluating a professional development school program to enact an evidence-based model for a continuous cycle of program improvement. Guided by the logic model for program evaluation, we developed three survey instruments based on the professional development school standards of the National…

Investigating University-School Partnerships: A Volume in Professional Development School Research, the fourth book in the PDS Research Series developed by the same editors, includes a collection of organized papers that represent the best and latest examples of practitioner thinking, research, and program design and evaluation in the field at the…

Although mentoring enhances teachers' and trainees' professional development, there is little consensus regarding best management practices or universal applications. This paper considers mentoring and associated dimensions, using the literature to inform various aspects of the mentoring process: selection and training practices; mentor-student…

The Academy for Educational Development (AED) sent a research team to Montclair State University (MSU) on September 25-26, 2008 to conduct interviews with individuals who play important roles in the university's teacher preparation program. These interviews, along with additional documentation provided by MSU and identified by the AED research…

The Florida Beginning Teacher Program specifies that a portfolio be maintained for each beginning teacher, and that it include a Professional Development Plan (PDP) and formative information to justify and execute the plan. Chapter 1 of this report describes the study that was undertaken to determine whether the beginning teacher portfolios…

This paper evaluates the use of subject-based collegial mentors in an initial teacher development programme for new lecturers in a research-intensive UK university. The use of mentors is common in such programmes but their status tends to be that of critical friend and they have little formal influence in the programme. In the programme reported,…

The Academy for Educational Development (AED) sent a research team to the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) on October 23-24, 2008, to conduct interviews with individuals who play important roles in the university's teacher preparation program. These interviews, along with additional documentation provided by UNCG and identified by…

This two-volume evaluation report of the Initiation to Teaching Project of Alberta Education, Canada, presents detailed information on the project, which provided employment as interns to nearly 900 recent graduates of teacher preparation programs. The report includes many elements: (1) a literature review; (2) a collection of information about…

This report presents the results of the evaluation of the 2-year Initiation to Teaching Project, implemented in schools in Alberta, Canada in 1985. The project provided employment in teaching for recently graduated teachers and supported their transition into full-time teaching with professional assistance. The report is divided into six sections:…

This study describes and contrasts the activities and attitudes of 33 prospective secondary teachers in a graduate level, master's degree initial teacher certification program incorporating a year-long, three-phased internship in the public schools. The three phases of the internship were: teacher assistant, teacher associate, and…

This monograph reflects the perspective that programs for beginning teachers should include some broader goal of enhancing the status and image of the entire profession. This approach links goals and activities for beginning teachers with goals and activities for other individuals, organizations, and institutions. Chapter 1 discusses interactions…