Professional Development Partnerships Research Articles

Assessing the Approaches and Challenges Encountered by Primary School Teachers in Managing Inclusive Classrooms

This study assessed how primary education teachers who handle inclusive classrooms utilized the teaching approaches and the challenges they experienced. This descriptive correlation study had 30 purposively selected teacher respondents who answered the researcher-made survey questionnaire containing ten indicators for the teaching approaches used and the ten challenges encountered. The data gathered were treated using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings revealed that the respondents’ perceptions of their teaching approaches in managing the mainstream classroom in terms of: managing teacher-student interaction were generally positive opinion of the teaching methodologies used to manage teacher-student interaction; classroom conduct and demeanor was diverse; fostering logical development was favorable tendency towards it; and there was a general alignment with constructivist teaching methods but emphasizing opportunities for improvement. The respondents’ perception of the challenges encountered in fulfilling their role in an inclusive education setting highlighted the need for better teacher preparation, curricular adaptation, and inclusive and collaborative education. Targeted professional development, curriculum reform, and stronger parent partnerships could improve inclusive education and help all students succeed academically and socially. There was no significant relationship between teacher-student interactions and fostering logical development, and challenges experienced by the teachers. There was a significant relationship between the classroom conduct and demeanor, implementing a constructivist teaching approach and the challenges experienced by the teachers. It is recommended that educational institutions and policymakers should prioritize inclusive education teacher competency through focused professional development and collaboration among all stakeholders.

Centering community and collaboration in a multi-year literacy professional development initiative between a university and school district

PurposeThis paper shares findings from a multi-year literacy professional development partnership between a school district and university (2014–2019). We share this case of a Literacy Cohort initiative as an example of cross-institutional professional development situated within several of NAPDS’ nine essentials, including professional learning and leading, boundary-spanning roles and reflection and innovation (NAPDS, 2021).Design/methodology/approachWe asked, “In what ways did the Cohort initiative create conditions for community and collaboration in the service of meaningful literacy reforms?” Drawing on social design methodology (Gutiérrez & Vossoughi, 2010), we sought to generate and examine the educational change associated with this multi-year initiative. Our data set included programmatic data, interviews (N = 30) and artifacts of literacy teaching, learning and leading.FindingsOur findings reflect the emphasis areas that are important to educators in the partnership: diversity by design, building relationships through collaboration and rooting literacy reforms in teacher leadership. Our discussion explores threads of reciprocity, simultaneous renewal and boundary-spanning leadership and their role in sustaining partnerships over time.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to our understanding of building and sustaining a cohort model of multi-year professional development through the voices, perspectives and experiences of teachers, faculty and district administrators.

Enhancing Environmental Literacy through English Language Education in Maritime Institutions

This research study addresses the critical imperative of integrating environmental perspectives into maritime education, with a primary focus on enhancing reading competencies and instilling environmental literacy among maritime cadets. Recognising the profound impact of the maritime sector on global trade and the environment, this study explores the role of language education, specifically English language instruction, as a conduit for environmental education. Through a comprehensive literature analysis, the research highlights the importance of developing curricula that seamlessly weave environmental content into the fabric of maritime education.The findings underscore the synergistic relationship between language proficiency and environmental literacy, emphasising that language instruction can serve as a powerful vehicle for environmental awareness. The research illuminates the challenges and opportunities in languageintegrated environmental education, proposing tailored language instruction, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the use of real-world materials as effective strategies. It further elucidates the profound implications of environmental literacy for the maritime industry, advocating for proactive policy changes, professional development, and industry partnerships. The recommendations emanating from this research encompass curriculum enhancement, awareness campaigns, international collaboration, and the advocacy of environmental literacy in maritime education. By following these recommendations, maritime education can evolve to produce professionals who are proficient in English, environmentally literate, and fully prepared to navigate the complex environmental challenges and responsibilities inherent to the maritime sector.

Professional development partnership between urban middle school science teachers and informal science institutions

ABSTRACT Background This study explored science teachers’ participation in a professional development partnership with informal science institutions (ISIs) designed for urban middle school science teachers, known as the Urban Advantage Science Initiative. The teacher training involved a whole school focused approach, providing teaching strategies, collaborative situated experiences, and specific classroom resources for implementing and guiding science explorations both at ISIs and in the formal classroom. The conceptual framework for the study incorporated a situated perspective model with situated, social, and distributed cognition. Purpose This long-term situated learning model engaged teachers in over 100 hours of training over five years, with an option to continue in select educational activities in subsequent years. Training was held at eight ISIs in New York City. The purpose of the study was to analyze impacts on teachers’ pedagogical philosophies and practices. Sample The ways teachers translated program principles into their practice was investigated through interviews with nine teachers and three administrators (N = 12) to provide broadened perspectives. The teacher sample was drawn from a larger group of 253 teachers with at least four years of experience in the program. Design/Methods The data of this phenomenological qualitative study were examined and integrated with the a priori conceptual framework to create an emergent explanatory framework for changing pedagogical practice and teacher motivation through a schoolwide professional development partnership with ISIs. This framework included two major components: 1) improved teacher motivation, and 2) pedagogical change. Results Teacher motivation was heightened because of their situated learning experiences at ISIs, the positive changes in their science pedagogy, and their involvement in a professional community of like-minded science educators. Conclusion As a result of this whole-school focused program that included specific roles for teachers and administrators, the long term, sustained ISI-based professional development model improved teachers’ and administrators’ perceptions of science teaching practices.

The Reality of Evaluating Teacher Performance in the Sultanate of Oman in Light of Global Models

The aim of the research is to reveal the reality of teacher performance evaluation in the Sultanate of Oman in light of some global models. The study followed a qualitative descriptive research design. Seven forms of teacher formative and summative assessments were analyzed. Besides, an analytical template was developed, consisting of six areas related to the teaching performance of teachers. These included: lesson planning and preparation, learning environment, education, professional development, student academic, and community and parental partnership. The study reached a number of results; the most notable is the lack of change of forms for more than a decade despite the rapid development of the educational system in the sultanate in areas close to the teacher. It has also found that the formative evaluation focuses only on his/her rile in the classroom, such as lesson planning, preparation and learning environment. Further, it does not focus on his/her role outside the classroom, such as professional development, and community and parental partnership. Additionally, this evaluation is not based on any professional standards. Therefore, its tools, standards, and assessment need to be improved. The study has also shown that the final evaluation needs do not have sufficient standards. Additionally, both types of assessments do not relate to each other. Based on these results, the study has recommended to improve teacher performance evaluation in the Sultanate of Oman.

Integrated STEM education in the thai secondary schools: challenge and addressing of challenges

In response to the development of technology and to advance global competitiveness, many nations now face a shortage of a suitably trained STEM workforce. To develop the STEM workforce, STEM education has been integrated into the curriculum, which presents a range of challenges for teachers. Thailand is also in the process of integrating STEM education into their educational system. This paper aims to review the integration of STEM education in Thailand, focusing on the challenges of this implementation. Results from the literature reviewed suggest the challenges of STEM integration in Thailand consists of students’ low engagement in learning in the STEM disciplines, challenges in integrating engineering, and teachers’ knowledge and skills in teaching STEM integration. It also provides a review of possible solutions to each including engaging students by using questioning techniques, using the engineering design process (EDP) as a method to integrate engineering, and support teachers in professional development and collaborative partnerships.

Outstanding Educator Performance: Professional Development in Early Childhood Education

Early childhood education as the main foundation of one's education is determined by the quality of teachers who can be seen through the performance of teachers and teachers, so the discourse of professional development is important. This study aims to determine how the performance of superior early childhood teachers and performance measurement as performance standards for outstanding teachers. Qualitative research is carried out with a psychological approach that is carried out directly on the object under study, to obtain data relating to aspects of teacher performance so that increased performance becomes an example for other teachers. Research data collection techniques using interviews, documentation, and observation. The results showed that the performance of outstanding early childhood teachers always tried to hone and control themselves by participating in outstanding teacher competitions to monitor their professional condition and performance. Early childhood teachers who have extraordinary grades also have strong scientific insight, understand learning, have broad social insights, are positive about their work, and show work performance according to the required performance criteria. The teacher's performance in the extraordinary category is the success and ability of the teacher in carrying out various learning tasks. Measuring the performance of early childhood teachers with achievement has two tasks as measurement standards, tasks related to the learning process and tasks related to structuring and planning learning tasks. Referring to these two tasks, there are three main criteria related to teacher performance in early childhood teacher professional development literacy, namely processes, teacher characteristics, and outcomes or products (changes in student attitudes). In the learning process, the performance of early childhood teachers who excel can be seen from the quality of work carried out related to professional teacher learning activities.
 Keywords: Early Childhood Education, Outstanding Educator Performance, Professional Development

Factors Leading Educators to Pursue a Doctorate Degree to Meet Professional Development Needs

Aim/Purpose: This study investigates the professional development needs of educators with a Master’s degree and seeking or having a doctoral degree in education. Background: Understanding the professional development needs of educators is important for meeting these needs. The literature focuses on post-bachelor education but does not address professional development and doctoral degree needs. Methodology: Educators with a Master’s degree in education seeking or having completed a doctoral degree participated in one 30 minute semi-structured interview. Contribution: This research can be used as a guide for how to support Master’s-level educators seeking doctoral degrees. Findings: Master’s level students earning a doctorate degree in education found professional development satisfied through their programs when experiential learning opportunities were provided and in-depth institutional support. Recommendations for Practitioners: Educators seeking a doctorate degree in education to meet their professional development needs should seek out higher education opportunities that include mentorships and experiential learning opportunities. Recommendation for Researchers: Further research is necessary to understand how additional professional development needs can be met in higher education and in the creation of successful professional development partnerships. Impact on Society: Required teacher professional development can increase classroom performance if necessary educator needs are met. Future Research: Additional research on professional development successes in schools partnering with higher education institutions potentially for a dual purpose of obtaining doctorate degrees may provide an invaluable increase in classroom performance.

Partnering for Professional Development in the Galápagos Islands.

Nurses living in the Galápagos Islands face barriers to accessing continuing professional development (CPD), particularly in their native language and appropriate for their unique island culture due to their remote location, 1,000 km off the coast of Ecuador. This article reviews the evidence on providing professional development from high-resource countries to low-resource countries; describes a case example of the process of developing, implementing, and evaluating the first professional development program targeting nurses in the Galápagos; and presents recommendations to sustain a culturally relevant international professional nursing development partnership that can be a model for nurses in other remote locations with limited educational access. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2019;50(9):417-422.].

Longitudinal literacy professional development in an urban elementary charter school

The authors describe a school-university professional development partnership in a high-needs urban elementary charter school. University and school partners collaborated to build instructional capacity to develop teachers’ understanding and implementation of effective literacy instruction. Design-based research revealed increased understanding and implementation of effective literacy practices among school leaders and teachers. Findings revealed the importance of administrative stability; coaching support; and a focused, school-wide instructional vision.

Exploring Professional Knowing, Being and Becoming through Inclusive Pedagogical Approach in Action (IPAA) Framework

Despite extensive changes in early childhood inclusive education policy and practice, various barriers continue to inhibit access and participation of children with special needs in inclusive schools. Often mentioned barriers include negative beliefs, lack of understanding of inclusive pedagogy and the effectiveness of professional development to improve teacher knowledge to reduce these barriers. This study reports on a Thai Bureau of Special Education professional development partnership program with an Australian inclusive school in which 16 early childhood teachers from Thailand participated. This community of practice inquiry project generated qualitative data from pre- and post-professional workshops semi-structured interviews and analysis of teachers' professional learning journals during the inquiry phases of the project. Thematic analysis of the data showed that the international professional learning immersion program exerted an influential impact on the teachers who participated suggesting; teachers developed better understandings of children with special education needs by creating a mindset for change.

Facilitating democratic professional development: exploring the double role of being an academic action researcher

This article focuses on the double role of the academic action researcher working as facilitator and researcher in democratic professional development projects. The inquiry is based on three partnership projects: ‘research circles’ in Sweden, ‘dialogue conferences’ in Norway and ‘tailored professional development’ in Finland. In a self-study and through the lens of practice architectures, we, as action researchers, explore how our practices are enabled and constrained in, as well as are enabling and constraining, professional development partnerships with teachers and educational leaders. A critical perspective is provided on how and what democratic practices evolve. The inquiry opens up understandings about how the academic action researcher’s practices entails multi-faceted ways of working to be able to accomplish different and somehow contradictory objectives, yet at the same time enacting democratic working methods. Furthermore, the act of recognition as a connecting aspect between prefiguring arrangements and evolving practices will be elaborated on to supplement perspectives offered by the theory of practice architectures.

Iterative and Event-Based Frameworks for University and School District Technology Professional Development Partnerships

Forming technology partnerships between universities and public schools in an era of competition and economic difficulty is a challenge. However, when these partnerships are formed and sustained, the benefits for both are extremely valuable. For a university instructional technology graduate program and school partnership to be successful, the partnership must be based on mutual needs and value. This article examines how the needs of university instructional technology graduate programs and local public schools may be jointly addressed by two different partnership models—one based on a curricular event framework, and the other through an iterative service-learning model.

Research and Practice Partnerships for Professional Development in Early Childhood: Lessons From ExCELL-e

This article describes how a research–practice partnership has informed the iterative development of a web-mediated early childhood language and literacy professional development (PD) intervention. Funded through the Investing in Innovation (i3) program, this new PD model is based on an effective in-situ intervention. As we translated the face-to-face model into a largely web-mediated approach, we partnered with educators to ensure that the resulting intervention was feasible and effective in real-world classrooms serving children at risk. Specifically, an educator advisory board provided ongoing input about the PD. Further, pilot teachers completed the training and provided feedback through a survey about the usability and effectiveness of the training modules, coaching, and instructional strategies in classroom settings. Findings suggest that research–practice partnerships that gather teachers’ situated, comprehensive, and insightful perspectives can be invaluable in developing PD interventions. Collaboration between school districts and university researchers is essential in this iterative development process.

Business fills a gap between teacher and student

Today’s classrooms emphasize helping students learn not just for the sake of learning but to become prepared to join the workforce. While teachers across the U.S. know students must be ready for college and career, many may not be sure exactly which skills, competencies, and lessons they need to teach to prepare and animate students for the world of work. Meanwhile, employers look to schools to nurture and empower savvy job candidates of the future — young adults prepared with the skills and critical dispositions necessary for the jobs they have to offer. So how do we bridge this gap? Lesson2Life is a professional development partnership between the Arizona K12 Center at Northern Arizona University, Arizona Public Service, and local businesses and chambers of commerce throughout the state. It is designed to be an exemplar program that gives teachers real-world insight into today’s workforce. They can then give their students the skills and information necessary to be successful when they seek careers of their own.

Enhancing ‘ICT Teaching’ in English Schools: Vital Lessons

Despite substantial investments in digital technology in schools the impact has been less than advocates anticipated. This raises issues about the effectiveness of past approaches to the continuing professional development (CPD) of teachers. Vital was a £9.4million programme, funded by English governments between 2009 and 2013, to enhance the use of digital technology and the teaching of computing in schools. Vital, which was provided by the Open University (UK), developed an evolving range of professional development, informed by a review of the literature and extensive experience of supported open learning and developing online communities. Underpinning all of Vital’s provision was a view of teachers as experts, and practitioner research as incorporating all the key elements of effective CPD identified in the literature. The evolving models of CPD developed by Vital during three distinct phases of its operation are described. These include: supported online courses; community websites; TeachMeets and TeachShares; the In-house Professional Development Partnership; and the development and sharing of evidence through EdFutures.net. Based on Vital’s experiences some suggestions are made about what constitutes effective CPD.

Multiple Constituent Mentoring: A Policy for Capitalizing on Authentic Learning Contexts in University Curricula

In this article we propose a policy intended to alleviate the typical problems of student internships and improve the usefulness and relevancy of any partnership. We extend previous ideas about professional development schools or partnerships to eliminate the disconnect between K–12 schools and universities and add a component of multiple constituent mentoring necessary for effective music teacher and music teacher educator training. A partnership with multiple mentors—K–12 students, K–12 teachers, undergraduate students, graduate students, and university music education faculty—can provide the most benefits to the greatest number of people. The policy presented in this article will likely require the implementation of philosophical and curricular changes, but these efforts would be well worth the investment of time and resources.

How Can ESOL and Mainstream Teachers Make the Best of a Standards‐Based Curriculum in Order to Collaborate?

In this era of high‐stakes testing, teachers are often required to follow a standards‐based, standardized curriculum, which can be constraining for English to speakers of other languages (ESOL) and mainstream teachers who are trying to meet the needs of English language learners. Despite the challenges presented by such curricula, this study found that one advantage of a standardized, standards‐based curriculum is that it can support collaborative efforts between ESOL and mainstream teachers. This research emerged from a university–school district professional development partnership with 26 ESOL and mainstream teachers across 11 elementary schools. This study examined different ways that ESOL and mainstream teachers worked together using a standardized curriculum as a key tool for collaboration. Data collection involved surveys, interviews, and observations of collaborative teaching and coplanning and interviews with three focal teacher pairs before and after they cotaught lessons. The authors found that the ways the teachers used, adapted, and took ownership of the curriculum as a tool for collaboration may have been even more important than the curriculum itself. This study has implications for teachers, schools, and teacher educators considering tools or structures that may already be in place, or that need to be created, which could serve as a common touchstone for collaborative efforts.

Leading by learning, learning by leading

Data from a study of 81 exemplary secondary school teachers across the United States provide a portrait of how these teachers have become leaders whose influence and partnerships extend well beyond their classrooms and schools. Propelled by a deep personal desire to learn and a commitment to help students learn, the teachers are learners first, leaders second: their leadership occurs as a by-product of their learning. As teachers, they become pedagogical innovators in their quest to learn what helps students learn. They develop deep knowledge of students, curricula and pedagogy, in part by changing grade levels and schools, observing and learning from students, and consulting with parents. They seek specific professional development, internal and external colleagues and partnerships, professional organisations, and opportunities to team teach and observe peers. As they learn, they refine who they are as a person. Over time, the teachers find, accept or create ways to help colleagues by sharing innovations, ideas and insights. They contribute to and influence the profession by writing grants, serving as members or leaders of influential committees, providing professional development and leading change. Always focusing on learning, they quickly learn that leading opens many new possibilities for learning.

Global Partnerships for Professional Development: A Cambodian Exemplar

Nurses have been volunteering to provide direct patient care in developing countries for several decades. As a result, countries have begun to develop their health care workforce capacity and standards of care, but educational and professional development needs have emerged. Global partnerships involving volunteers can assist developing countries to fulfill these needs, but little literature focuses on maximizing volunteers' experiences. Through global partnerships and collaboration, the leadership and academic capacity of nurses and other health care professionals in developing countries can be enhanced. In Cambodia specifically, the Khmer Rouge executed many educated health care personnel in the late 1970s, effectively eliminating a generation of mentors and leaders that could facilitate the professional development of the current workforce. One outcome may be the dearth of baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs in Cambodia. Two teams of U.S. volunteers and one of their Cambodian partners, a nursing education coordinator at a nongovernmental children's hospital, offer their experiences in collaborating, including the mutual benefits to both of such a partnership and the lessons learned. The authors will delineate several exemplars from their experiences of teaching and professional development.