Description: 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.
Review Quotes: "Have you set a goal to do some professional reading this summer? Before heading to your favorite chair, pick up the...Handbook of Professional Development in Education....This handbook offers a synthesis of current knowledge of effective practices in professional learning for teachers....The editors and most of the fifty contributing authors are researchers and faculty members of preservice higher education programs. Over the years, I have studied the work of several of the participating authors and admire their commitment to improving professional development through research, publications, and their outreach to educational leaders and practitioners....The scope of the handbook is comprehensive, and highly relevant topics receive in-depth treatment. It is well organized; each chapter begins with a list of key points and ends with questions for discussions....Characteristics of successful professional development are identified in the preface and elaborated upon throughout the handbook....Should prove to be a tremendous resource to state leaders who are wrestling with the complexities of many of the issues discussed in the handbook."-- "CCSSO State Consortium on Educator Effectiveness website" (5/27/2014 12:00:00 AM)