Coordination in Planning and Implementing Professional Development Programs for Teachers: A Much-needed Component in Rural Areas

Coordination among stakeholders has been considered as a significant influential factor in providing teachers with quality Professional Development (PD) opportunities. The importance of coordination intensifies when a variety of PD providers work on the capacity building of teachers in the same region such as in some rural areas of Pakistan. The current research explored the nature of coordination among various stakeholders while designing and implementing PD programs for teachers in rural Pakistan. To achieve this aim, qualitative case study approach was used and data were generated through focused group interviews from PD providers, education managers, school leaders, and teachers. The results indicated a limited coordination among the stakeholders leading to a variety of issues such as overlapping programs, conflicting expectations from teachers, and selection of irrelevant teachers for PD. Drawing on the experience of the stakeholders who participated in this research, the paper suggests a model of coordination which the educational reformers, especially the PD providers and education managers, should consider while designing and implementing the capacity building programs for teachers.

Analyzing Assessments Practices for Indigenous Students

The purpose of this article is to review common assessment practices for Indigenous students. We start by presenting positionalities—our personal and professional background identities. Then we explain common terms associated with Indigeneity and Indigenous and Western worldviews. We describe the meaning of document analysis, the chosen qualitative research design, and we explicate the delimitations and limitations of the paper. The review of the literature revealed four main themes. First, assessment is subjugated by a Western worldview. Next, many linguistic assessment practices disadvantage Indigenous students, and language-specific and culture-laden standardized tests are often discriminatory. Last, there is a pervasive focus on cognitive assessment. We discuss how to improve assessment for Indigenous students. For example, school divisions and educators need quality professional development and knowledge about hands-on assessment, multiple intelligences, and Western versus Indigenous assessment inconsistencies. Within the past 20 years, assessment tactics for Indigenous students has remained, more or less, the same. We end with a short discussion addressing this point.

eCoaching in Rural Secondary Settings When Teaching Students With Intellectual and Other Developmental Disabilities in Rural Settings

Special education teachers in rural settings face unique challenges related to providing transition services to secondary students with intellectual and other developmental disabilities (IDD). Geographically isolated school districts tend to have limited collaborative partnership opportunities and access to quality professional development to offer teachers and paraeducators, including classroom-based coaching. Fortunately, advances in technology have shown eCoaching with Bug-in-Ear (BIE) technology to be a viable method for providing performance feedback (PF) to both teachers and paraeducators in real time without requiring the physical presence of the eCoach. This article examines literature specific to applying eCoaching procedures when teaching transition-age youth with IDD. Correspondingly, three related practice recommendations for using BIE in rural settings are offered. Our recommendations support practical application of eCoaching with BIE technology in rural settings for the purpose of improving transition-focused instruction and optimal student outcomes in secondary students with IDD.

Contemporary trends in professional development of teachers: importance of recognising the context

PurposeWhereas the achievement of students has closely been linked with the quality of teachers and there is a bulk of literature supporting the need of teachers' preparation in enhancing their quality, professional development (PD) of teachers has been a central focus of reform initiatives in education across the globe. This paper aims at analysing the existing literature on PD of teachers to reflect on the models and characteristics of effective PD, and to highlight the importance of context in PD of teachers.Design/methodology/approachTo respond to the aim of the paper, a search in the field of pedagogy in Education Resource Information Centre (ERIC) was undertaken. The search strings used were “models of teachers' professional development”, “characteristics of teachers professional development” and “context in professional development” restricted to time period from 2000 to 2020.FindingsThe major argument this paper presents is that the models and characteristics of PD are relative and there is no uniform model to be implemented across contexts. Instead of debating the models and characteristics of effective PD, academics and practitioners have to be watchful to the context and the real needs of teachers in a particular context.Originality/valueThe paper critiques the generalisation of Western generated PD models to the developing world especially Pakistan which the existing research and literature is silent about.

Innovative Instructional Methods Integrating 21st-Century Competencies

Innovative instructional methods integrating 21st century competencies need to be taught strategically by educators in virtual, hybrid, and traditional classroom settings. Several challenges with engaging students in virtual and hybrid environments have emerged. However, findings have indicated that implementing innovative technology tools and teaching methods can enhance student engagement. Addressing students' social-emotional needs before expecting them to master the 21st-century competencies is crucial; therefore, understanding synchronous and asynchronous instructional tools is necessary to enhance student engagement. Because the digital divide among students living in poverty continues to grow during the pandemic, developing global connections is critical. Therefore, high-quality professional development is essential to supporting teachers to become innovators.

Expanding the Boundaries of TPSR and Empowering Others to Make Their Own Contributions

Purpose: The purpose of this article was to examine the geographical spread of teaching personal and social responsibility (TPSR), the extensive range of new populations and cultures that TPSR has been implemented with, and to consider the resulting challenges of this growth. Method: Information was gathered from published articles, dissertations, professional articles, and program descriptions and systematically analyzed for program fidelity. Results: A total of 31 countries were identified as having some level of TPSR presence, and there was a great deal of diversity in how, where, and to whom the programs are implemented. Discussion: The proliferation of TPSR will continue, and as this occurs, there will be increasing challenges in maintaining fidelity to the model. Conclusion: To meet this challenge, ongoing research, quality professional development, and the growth of communities of TPSR practice will be crucial.

Expanding the Boundaries of TPSR and Empowering Others to Make Their Own Contributions

Purpose: The purpose of this article was to examine the geographical spread of teaching personal and social responsibility (TPSR), the extensive range of new populations and cultures that TPSR has been implemented with, and to consider the resulting challenges of this growth. Method: Information was gathered from published articles, dissertations, professional articles, and program descriptions and systematically analyzed for program fidelity. Results: A total of 31 countries were identified as having some level of TPSR presence, and there was a great deal of diversity in how, where, and to whom the programs are implemented. Discussion: The proliferation of TPSR will continue, and as this occurs, there will be increasing challenges in maintaining fidelity to the model. Conclusion: To meet this challenge, ongoing research, quality professional development, and the growth of communities of TPSR practice will be crucial.

Expanding the Boundaries of TPSR and Empowering Others to Make Their Own Contributions

Purpose: The purpose of this article was to examine the geographical spread of teaching personal and social responsibility (TPSR), the extensive range of new populations and cultures that TPSR has been implemented with, and to consider the resulting challenges of this growth. Method: Information was gathered from published articles, dissertations, professional articles, and program descriptions and systematically analyzed for program fidelity. Results: A total of 31 countries were identified as having some level of TPSR presence, and there was a great deal of diversity in how, where, and to whom the programs are implemented. Discussion: The proliferation of TPSR will continue, and as this occurs, there will be increasing challenges in maintaining fidelity to the model. Conclusion: To meet this challenge, ongoing research, quality professional development, and the growth of communities of TPSR practice will be crucial.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors: A University and K-12 School Partnership

Partnerships between schools and universities can be beneficial for all parties involved, particularly when their interests and goals for the partnership overlap. The Gifted Education Research and Resource Institute (GER2I) and Tippecanoe School Corporation (TSC) formalized a collaborative effort to improve identification procedures for students with gifts and talents, provide high-quality professional development for teachers, create services and resources for families, and develop evidence-based practices through research opportunities for graduate students and faculty. Suggestions for practitioners and university partners are discussed, along with future directions for the existing partnership.