Systems of Large-Scale
Professional Development
Sean Smith
Horizon Research, Inc.
www.horizon-research.com
Features of High-Quality PD
•
•
•
•
Focuses on content knowledge
Emphasizes active learning
Promotes coherence
Provides a large amount of training sustained
over time
• Encourages collaboration among teachers
(Garet, M. S., Porter, A. C., Desimone, L., Birman, B. F., & Yoon, K. S. (2001). What makes
professional development effective? Results from a national sample of teachers. American
educational research journal, 38(4), 915–945.)
Question
About what percentage of elementary teachers
have participated in science-focused PD in the
last three years?
a. 30 percent
b. 40 percent
c. 50 percent
d. 60 percent
Teachers Participating in Science-Focused PD in
Last 3 Years
Percent of Teachers
100
82
85
Middle
High
80
60
59
40
20
0
Elementary
Science Teachers’ Time Spent on ScienceFocused PD in Last 3 years, by Grade Range
80
Percent of Teachers
65
60
40
30
22
20
8
36
24
27
20
23 20 21
4
0
Elementary
<6 hours
6–15 hours
Middle
16–35 hours
High
>35 hours
Science Teacher PD in Last 3 Years
100
Percent of Teachers
84
91 90
75 73
80
55
60
54
47
40
24
20
0
Workshop
Elementary
PLC
Middle
Feedback from
mentor
High
For More Information on the 2012
National Survey of Science and
Mathematics Education
www.horizon-research.com/2012nssme/
Going to Scale with High-Quality
Professional Development
Recommendations from the Field
Key Components of Strategic
Leadership Work
1.
2.
3.
4.
9
Designing and implementing PD programs
Garnering support from key stakeholders
Aligning policies
Scaling up PD programs
Advice from the Field
• Expect that there will not be as many teacher
leaders as you need.
• Expect teacher reluctance to take on these
roles.
• Expect burn-out, mobility, and attrition.
• Have a deliberate process for developing new
leaders.
10
Advice from the Field
• Devote time specifically to leadership
development.
• Acknowledge the tension between the urge to
scale up as quickly as possible and the amount
of time it takes to prepare professional
development providers.
• Build a system of quality control.
11
For More Information
http://www.horizon-research.com/handbookfor-enhancing-strategic-leadership-in-the-mathand-science-partnerships/