After the Race to the Top: State and District Capacity to Sustain Professional Development Innovation in Florida

2021 ◽  
pp. 089590482110156
Author(s):  
Motoko Akiba ◽  
Cassandra Howard

The Race to the Top (RTTT) program incentivized states to use innovation for systemwide improvement of student outcomes, but little is known about how RTTT-funded innovation was sustained after the RTTT program ended. This mixed-methods study examined state and district approaches to sustaining an international innovation called lesson study, a teacher-driven, collaborative, inquiry-based teacher learning process imported from Japan and promoted statewide in Florida. While the state’s role in sustaining lesson study was limited, we found that districts that integrated lesson study into the district instructional system through a clear expectation and strategic adaptation, supported school and teacher ownership of lesson study practice, and provided necessary support and funding were more likely to sustain lesson study. In contrast, the districts that focused on implementation fidelity and district-led facilitation eventually phased out lesson study. Policy implications for sustaining federally funded professional development innovations are discussed.

2021 ◽  
pp. 251512742098851
Author(s):  
Alexandra Jackson ◽  
Cara Mawson ◽  
Cheryl A. Bodnar

Entrepreneurial mindset (EM) has recently been adapted and integrated into various engineering classes and programs globally. Studies have shown that this integration can be effective and lead to beneficial student outcomes. To ensure broader integration of EM, faculty need to be trained on this construct and how it can be implemented within class-based environments. This study examines faculty motivation to attend professional development opportunities focused on EM offered by the Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network (KEEN). Through this mixed methods study it was found that faculty are often motivated by the value the workshop holds for them personally and for their career, and its usefulness in their courses. They are also motivated by their personal interests and enjoyment of professional development opportunities. The faculty in our study indicated being enabled by the workshop content's relevance to their teaching, especially in terms of course development, and its effectiveness in helping them become better instructors. Depending on the circumstances, faculty were either enabled or dissuaded by the timing of the workshop and the available funding for them to attend. The results of this study can help future workshop designers tailor their workshops to meet the needs of engineering faculty both nationwide and globally.


SAGE Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 215824402110237
Author(s):  
İlknur Bayram ◽  
Fatma Bıkmaz

This qualitative case study carried out at a Turkish university with four English language teachers aims to explore what teachers experience in the planning, implementation, analysis, and reporting phases of the lessons study process and what the implications of lesson study for teacher professional development can be. Data in this four-month study were gathered through observations, interviews, whole group discussions, and reflective reports. Findings revealed that lesson study had potential challenges and benefits for the professional development of teachers. The model poses challenges in finding a topic and research question, determining the lesson design and teaching style, making student thinking observable and analyzing qualitative data. On the other hand, it benefited teachers in terms of increasing their pedagogical content knowledge, reflectivity, research skills, collaboration, and collegiality. This study suggests that lesson study might be a good starting point for institutions wishing to adopt a more teacher-led, inquiry-driven and collaborative perspective for professional development.


Author(s):  
Maitree Inprasitha ◽  
Masami Isoda ◽  
Patsy Wang-Iverson ◽  
Ban Har Yeap

Author(s):  
Mark Patrick Ryan

The Japanese Lesson Study Model (JLSM) became a focus of much research after the publication of the Third International Math and Science Study (TIMSS). The JLSM has various possible manifestations, but most forms of the model include three key elements – collaborative planning of one or more lessons that will be taught by all participants, delivery of the lesson with fellow teacher observers in the room or with videotaping, and collaborative analysis by participants of students work and the lesson delivery. This study presents quantitative and qualitative data from approximately 400 teachers who participated in a form of lesson study. The history and research basis of lesson study is presented, followed by the researcher's adaptation of the model for use in the university classroom and professional development courses, followed by an analysis of the impacts of the model on teacher participants.


Author(s):  
Christina M. Curran ◽  
Becky Wilson Hawbaker

Significant disparities in educational outcome, opportunity, and achievement endure for students with disabilities and those from culturally and linguistically diverse groups. A need for effective, responsive, and inclusive practices in schools is imperative. Educators are at the heart of providing the challenging, responsive education that each child and adolescent deserves. Professional development is the lever of change, but can or help or hinder educators in improving instructional and school practices that result in improved outcomes for all students. This chapter examines the evidence base surrounding professional development and inclusive practice. Four approaches to professional development supporting more transformative professional learning and change are featured: inquiry groups (teacher study groups and lesson study); coaching, Professional Learning Communities; and Professional Development Schools. Snapshots to practice are included with each approach to provide integrated descriptive examples of varied inclusive professional development practices.


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