An enhancement program was implemented whose overall goal was to improve the teaching of life science and biology as an inquiry-oriented and socially relevant discipline in rural Minnesota schools. Teams of elementary, middle, and high school teachers from selected districts spent 6 weeks in a residential workshop program during the summer,…

This study identified and described appropriate training activities to help educators develop the skills necessary to participate in a team setting. The qualitative research paradigm allowed researchers to collect data in the contextual setting. Researchers conducted interviews and reviewed documents related to team building activities, noting…

Chapters in this guide provide practical guidance and useful information and resources relating to important aspects of faculty development, from setting up a faculty development program to assessing teaching practices. The chapters are: (1) "Faculty, Instructional, and Organizational Development: Options and Choices" (Robert M. Diamond); (2) "Ten…

This study identified policies to increase states' role in teacher professional development in Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. It examined which elements defined each state's professional development policy and the extent to which policies were consistent with research on effective professional…

This report presents feedback on the University of Guam's Faculty Development Day (FDD) (January 19, 2001), which focused on collegial faculty governance and highlighted interactions between the Senate, faculty, and administration. Feedback came from feedback surveys designed to gauge the success of the workshop. The surveys asked about…

Technology can be a tremendous asset in preparing professionals to work with young children and a number of technological applications can serve to enhance early childhood teacher preparation. Among these applications are: slide show presentations; use of the internet; introduction of students to software to assist in the development of…

To meet the need for innovative approaches for sharing exemplary assessment resources, to facilitate new assessments, and to increase understanding of how the use of standards-based performance assessment can advance educational reform, SRI International is developing Performance Assessment Links in Science (PALS), an on-line, standards-based,…

Nation-wide dissemination of the Iowa Chautauqua Model for inservice professional development of K-12 science teachers has led to new professional development programs in many states. The Collier Chautauqua Program (CCP) implemented the Iowa Chautauqua model at the district level in Collier County, Florida. A formative evaluation of the…

This paper documents the journey of a professional developer engaged and trained to support the implementation of a literacy innovation in an urban school district. The innovation, First Steps, is a systematic organization of best practices linking assessment and instruction, supported by an ongoing program of school-based professional…

The Advisory Board of the Literacy Coaching Clearinghouse suggests six characteristics that define effective literacy coaching. These characteristics can guide districts and schools to think carefully about the qualifications of the literacy coaches they hire, the realistic roles for coaches to fill, and the support systems that coaches need to be…

This brief offers a preliminary framework for understanding and implementing evaluations of out-of-school time (OST) programs professional development initiatives. In so doing, it draws on research from early childhood and elementary education and highlights the evaluation methods and results of recent OST professional development initiatives at…

There is growing consensus among education reformers that professional development is at the center of education reform and instructional improvement. Teachers need to keep up with the changes in their subject field and developments in current practices and policies. Community colleges can meet the needs of new professional development strategies…

This volume emphasizes that TESOL professionals can accomplish a great deal as members of inquisitive, cooperative communities. The contributors tell stories of their struggles and achievements, describing teacher learning communities and exploring how teachers might cultivate more collaborative communities in their lives. [Additional Volumes from…

Among the strategies for teacher improvement at Des Moines Area Community College (IA) are workshops, internships, industrial work experience, cross training, and industrial visitation. (SK)

Discusses the pros and cons of presenting a collegewide, 14-week seminar for faculty development in writing across the curriculum. (AEA)