Teacher Education Curriculum, Professional Development

Each reform initiative, each advance in knowledge of teaching and learning in U.S. education, and every plan for school improvement brings related professional development initiatives. Professional development, also known previously as inservice education and staff development, has been defined by Thomas Guskey as activities designed to [Page 856]enhance the professional knowledge, skills, and attitudes of educators as a way to improve the learning of students. These initiatives have been undertaken routinely by various groups, including federal agencies, states, local school districts, schools, subject matter associations, universities, and private for-profit entities, though they have been funded often at relatively low levels, with some estimates indicating that less than one-half of 1% of school district budgets are earmarked for professional development. This decentralized, entrepreneurial array of professional ...