Professional Development for Mathematics and Science Teachers

Author(s): Banilower, Eric R.; Shimkus, Elizabeth S.
Publication Date: June 2004

Using data from LSC professional development observations conducted from 1997 thorugh 2003, this study utilized hierarchical linear modeling to explore the following questions: "Has LSC professional development improved as projects mature?"; "Is providing professional development around the instructional materials teachers are expected to implement a promising strategy?"; "Does the type of professional development provider (e.g., scientist/mathematician, teacher leader, university education faculty) predict session quality?"; "What professional development strategies (e.g., lecture/discussion, engaging participants in problem-solving) appear to be most effective?"; and "Are seminars/study-groups/mentoring more effective than workshops?".