The purpose of this study was to examine teacher perceptions of professional learning communities in three middle schools. This research examined the perceived impact of professional learning communities on teaching and on student learning. One question guided this research. "What are the teachers' perceptions of seventh grade learning…

Professional development (PD) is key to improving mathematics teaching and learning in the middle grades. Many PD projects and initiatives have been undertaken across the United States. Yet, we know very little about what teachers learn in and through such PD, nor about what those who conduct the PD might be learning as well. This knowledge gap…

This action research study examines targeted instruction and its effect on academic referrals to elementary intervention and referral service committees. The West Harvard School District was not effectively utilizing targeted instruction, and there was a distinct lack of a differentiated vision throughout the district. This lack of differentiation…

Creating a quality induction program can create positive changes in the school district. "Thoughtful preparation combined with dedicated and ongoing support can yield real improvements in the classroom" (K. Wiebke & J. Bardin, 2009, p. 37). Current research indicates that there is a need to support new teachers during the early…

This is a literature review of studies and articles surrounding the issue of literacy strategies for adolescents in high school who continue to struggle with reading. It is also a review of research about where literacy interventions should take place and what obstacles may keep the strategies from either being effective or serving the best…

The titles of professional books on the topic of coaching are numerous, coaching professional development offerings are widespread and schools across the country are hiring teachers to serve in coaching roles. There is great interest around the topic of coaching and much is being written about the support that is needed for coaches as well.…

Physics Education researchers have been working to understanding how students learn physics, which has led to the creation of a body of research-based curricula. It is equally important to study novice instructors, graduate teaching assistants (TAs), who often teach these students. The study of TAs has similarities to how students have been…

This dissertation investigates the mathematical work and knowledge demands of this work to teach mathematics to teachers. The last 20 years have seen progress in the study of the specialized knowledge of mathematics needed for the work of teaching, as well as much discussion about the importance of strengthening teachers' mathematical preparation.…

Graduate preparatory programs in student affairs usually include a graduate-assistantship experience. This experience is intended to expose students to valuable work experiences that will afford them the opportunity to apply theory to practice, as well as build professional competence. The underlying assumption is that this is primarily an…

One of the many challenges confronting community colleges is the reality that a majority of community college presidents are approaching retirement. This situation has become critical and two-year colleges face an unprecedented leadership crisis. There is a call for community colleges to identify new leaders and provide them with opportunities to…

This case study examined the impact of classroom interventions for struggling readers as changed/improved by teachers who participated in ongoing professional development on brain research studies. It investigated how teachers' knowledge of brain research impacted their instruction and the interventions they implemented in elementary classrooms.…

If teachers want to create positive change in the lives of their students, then they must first be able to create positive change in their own lives. This book describes a powerful professional development approach that merges the scholarship of critical pedagogy with the Theatre of the Oppressed. Participants "act up" in order to explore…

When Alabama Governor Bob Riley established the Governor's Congress on School Leadership in 2004, few people in the state fully anticipated the resulting transformation in the state's philosophical and conceptual framework for educational leadership. The Governor's Congress on School Leadership resulted in an unmistakable statewide paradigm shift…

Race to the Top (RTTT) provides states with an historic opportunity to accelerate their efforts to graduate all high school students prepared for college and careers. Internationally-benchmarked college and career readiness expectations will be the foundation for all strategies undertaken with Race to the Top funding. In fact, serious work towards…

"Examining and Facilitating Reflection to Improve Professional Practice" is specifically designed and organized to be used throughout a teacher-education program from an introductory foundations course, continuing through content-specific methods classes to graduate-level theory seminars, and, ultimately onto professional development workshops.…