Professional Development Schools offers a close-up, comprehensive look at the state of professional development schools in the United States today. The vision of an ideal professional development school (PDS) is drawn from the best-known P-12 practices and optimum sites for preparing novice teachers. This "ideal" PDS would continually generate, test, and refine new knowledge and organizational structures. Abdal-Haqq poses the following questions regarding whether the PDS is performing its intended role: Is the PDS improving the curriculum, instruction, and structure of P-12 schools through professional development of educators? and Is it making substantive, positive differences in students' learning levels? To find answers, the author examines substantial amounts of evidence from various sources: student interviews and follow-up studies with teacher education graduates; surveys with preservice teachers on attitudes, beliefs, and self-efficacy; and reviews in student journals. Abdal-Haqq also investigates the important questions of time and money. She explores the kinds of additional fiscal and human resources necessary to start up and sustain a PDS.

Professional Development Schools: Researching Lessons from the Field provides a comprehensive analysis of PDS research that can aid PDS stakeholders in designing and sustaining meaningful research in their partnerships. Breault and Breault used an extensive qualitative meta-synthesis to examine the research over the past 20 years. Their comprehensive review of 300 studies provides a.deep understanding of the challenges and potential within PDSs. The authors offer analysis regarding key elements of PDSs and highlight strong studies including a large-scale, multi-site study and studies using mixed methods and action research effectively. They also highlight exemplary studies showing how pilot studies are effective ways to research new partnerships, how theory can lead to greater abstraction, and how metaphor can clarify complex relationships. This book is an essential resource for all stakeholders involved in professional development schools.

This fascinating and vital book seeks to challenge the effectiveness of current practices in professional development by urging educators to rethink professional learning for teachers and teaching assistants. It importantly brings together ideas about teacher professionalism and how to build creative and trusting cultures in which high expectations are not compromised. Throughout, teachers describe significant professional learning and growth, often through dynamic partnerships with others, that allows them to inspire imaginative possibilities; different and creative ways to ignite hope and opportunity for children. Four key themes guide the reader through the collection of chapters: professional capital, learning communities, teachers as researchers and subject-specific professional development. They explore: The types of professional development approaches that support teachers to make meaningful changes within their practices. The conditions and school cultures that are needed for teachers to meaningfully prosper from professional development. The impact that unintended consequences of system accountability drivers and funding have on teachers’ experiences of professional development. The ways in which the development of curriculum and pedagogy can be integrated with models of professional development, particular in the creative arts. Packed with innovative ideas and practical suggestions and co-written by researchers and practitioners, this book highlights the importance of using research evidence to develop teachers’ practice within the realities of their own classrooms and schools. This will be a key read for teachers, school leaders, teaching assistants and student teachers.

"Roberts and Pruitt offer practical advice to educators who seek to address one of the greatest obstacles to creating effective schools: how to get school staff to collaborate and learn from each other. Their insights and suggestions are smart, useful, and demonstrate a genuine understanding of how schools work."--Pedro A. Noguera, Executive DirectorMetropolitan Center for Urban Education, New York UniversityYour one-stop sourcebook for building a professional learning community in your school More and more educational leaders are turning to the collaborative learning community model to create school change and improvement. This practical resource offers research-based activities and strategies for providing professional learning opportunities that lead to the building of community in schools as well as improved learning outcomes for both teachers and students. Ideal for school leaders and staff developers, this updated bestseller examines the knowledge and skills needed to become a successful leader of learners and provides helpful tips, real-life classroom vignettes, and insights into effective teamwork. The authors help administrators lead staff in: Learning through study groups, shared leadership, and professional portfoliosPerforming collaborative student assessments and classroom observationReexamining their beliefs and assumptions through reflective activitiesWith the latest information on e-portfolios, coaching, emotional intelligence, and more, this proven professional development approach gives leaders the tools they need to implement a culture of collaboration that can transform entire schools

This classic book, edited by Linda Darling-Hammond, explains the function, structure, and philosophy of the professional development school. The text includes case studies, taken from urban and suburban settings, that illustrate the accomplishments of these schools as well as the challenges they face as they strive to create a new and viable vision for the improvement of the American educational system.

Featuring scholarly descriptions, teacher leader reflections, and thoughtful questions, this thoughtful collection will immerse readers in deep exploration of teacher leadership and student learning; definitions, structures, and cultures that promote teacher leadership; and teacher leader preparation and development.

This comprehensive handbook synthesizes the best current knowledge on teacher professional development (PD) and addresses practical issues in implementation. Leading authorities describe innovative practices that are being used in schools, emphasizing the value of PD that is instructive, reflective, active, collaborative, and substantive. Strategies for creating, measuring, and sustaining successful programs are presented. The book explores the relationship of PD to adult learning theory, school leadership, district and state policy, the growth of professional learning communities, and the Common Core State Standards. Each chapter concludes with thought-provoking discussion questions. The appendix provides eight illuminating case studies of PD initiatives in diverse schools.