Handbook of Professional Development in Education : Successful Models and Practices, PreK-12

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.

Linda E. Martin, EdD, is Professor of Elementary Education at Teachers College, Ball State University, where she serves as Director of Doctoral Programs for the Department of Elementary Education. For over two decades, she has worked with teachers across grades to develop effective literacy practices. Dr. Martin served for 7 years as a professional development liaison for Ball State, and helped to implement two large grants focused on teachers' literacy instruction in urban schools in the Midwest.

Sherry Kragler, PhD, is Associate Professor of Childhood Education and Literacy Studies at the University of South Florida. She was previously a classroom teacher, curriculum specialist, and Title I reading teacher/coordinator. Dr. Kragler has worked with primary-grades teachers to improve their reading instruction and has conducted professional development programs on content-area reading, comprehension instruction, portfolio assessment, and other areas.

Diana J. Quatroche, PhD, is Professor and Chair of the Department of Elementary, Early, and Special Education in the Bayh College of Education at Indiana State University. In addition to her classroom teaching experience, she has supervised school reading programs and coordinated Title I reading programs. She served for 6 years as a professional development liaison for Indiana State University, and developed the first professional development school while a faculty member at Southeast Missouri State University.

Kathryn L. Bauserman, PhD, is Associate Professor in the Department of Elementary, Early, and Special Education in the Bayh College of Education at Indiana State University. She has cowritten and codirected five different 2-year grant projects in Indiana that focus on graduate-level teacher professional development through workshops for teachers.