The majority of states have laws in place that require teacher evaluations and many states are tying teacher evaluations and teacher effectiveness to tenure and dismissal policies. Historically, the teacher evaluation process has been conducted by the school principal and has commonly been disconnected from the teacher development processes that…

This capstone project investigates professional development perceptions from the lens of three different participant groups: district administrators, school administrators, and teachers. A literature review identifies PD changes, legislative mandates, and the roles each must play to support teacher growth. The mixed-methods study assesses the…

This capstone project investigates professional development perceptions from the lens of three different participant groups: district administrators, school administrators, and teachers. A literature review identifies PD changes, legislative mandates, and the roles each must play to support teacher growth. The mixed-methods study assesses the…

This capstone project investigates professional development perceptions from the lens of three different participant groups: district administrators, school administrators, and teachers. A literature review identifies PD changes, legislative mandates, and the roles each must play to support teacher growth. The mixed-methods study assesses the…

Teacher shortages, especially in high-need subjects and schools, are a long-standing issue in many districts, and teacher turnover is a key driver. In this article, we examine the association between Urban Advantage (UA), a professional development-focused science initiative, and middle school science teacher retention in the nation's largest…

As beginning teachers face challenges and seek support, many never receive the guidance needed to help them become effective teachers. Lack of support can build obstacles that lead to job dissatisfaction and failure to retain teachers. Nationwide, states have adopted legislation to require induction programs for new teachers to improve teacher…

Teachers' assessment practices greatly influence student learning. However, the level of assessment literacy among teachers is inadequate relative to classroom assessment standards and expectations. Assessment literacy includes interpreting results of various assessments, creating assessments that are aligned to learning targets, using assessment…

Drawing on evidence from a series of projects that explored the value of professional development in promoting inclusive practices in Latin American countries, this paper concludes that there is untapped potential in schools that can be mobilised. It points to a series of promising approaches that builds on this potential. The paper also throws…

In this qualitative case study of a district-led, school leader preparation program in Tennessee during the 2021-2022 school year, I sought to reveal district stakeholder perceptions using an open-ended questionnaire, on the design, possible benefits, and possible challenges of the district's Associate Principal Program. For this study,…

Approximately 50% of new teachers leave the profession of education within their first five years (Burton & Johnson, 2010; McCoy, 2019; Ingersoll & Smith, 2004; Steinke & Putnam, 2011). With such a mass exodus of teachers, schools should develop programs to promote new teacher retention (Callahan, 2016; Kent et al., 2012). Induction…

READ 180 was adopted by a school district in Southern Alabama (SDSA) in response to students' low state reading and comprehension scores statewide. However, after years of implementation, it is unclear whether the READ 180 curriculum and the instructional practices characteristics of the READ 180 have been implemented with fidelity across district…

School districts choose programs based on limited data, word of mouth, or cost-effectiveness. STEM-based schools often choose project-based learning (PBL) programs to deliver curricula through limited research and word of mouth effectiveness. This study evaluated one PBL program implementation in the context of a suburban Texas middle school by…

The public school system is charged with the task of ensuring that every student reaches grade level standards. However, students enter the school system with varying levels of prerequisite skills and knowledge, which creates a challenge for educators in enriching high-performing students while providing additional support to the students who…

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the implementation of the "Phonics First"® program within one district to inform district level curriculum team decisions and program planning moving forward. As a level 4 Directed State Support district, the studied district was looking for ways to close the achievement gap and raise overall…

This report describes the results from the Student Teacher Survey and the Cooperating Teacher Survey. Findings indicated most student teachers had a positive experience in the Student Teaching Program. Additionally, most cooperating teachers would recommend their student teacher for employment suggesting the Student Teaching Program can serve as…