Handbook of Professional Development in Education

Synthesizing the best current knowledge on teacher professional development, this handbook describes effective, innovative practices that are being used in schools today.

Leading authorities present professional development approaches that are instructive, reflective, active, collaborative, and substantive. Lynne Miller and SCOPE senior scholar Ann Lieberman open the publication with a chapter on "Teachers as Professionals: Evolving Definitions of Staff Development." Ann Jaquith, SCOPE associate director, further explores professional development with a chapter on "Changing the Relationship between Professional Development Policy and the Practitioner's Role."

The book discusses the relationship of professional development to adult learning theory, school leadership, district and state policy, the growth of professional learning communities, and the Common Core State Standards. Practical issues in implementing professional development are addressed, as are strategies for measuring and sustaining successful programs. Each chapter concludes with thought-provoking discussion questions. The appendix provides eight illuminating case studies of professional development initiatives in diverse schools.