Access Type

Open Access Dissertation

Date of Award

January 2013

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Department

Curriculum and Instruction

First Advisor

Marc H. Rosa

Abstract

ABSTRACT

AN INVESTIGATION OF TRADITIONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT VERSUS REFORM PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIES, CURRICULUM AND CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT BY PRE- KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS

by

HELEN OLIVER-BROOKS

May 2013

Advisor: Dr. Marc Rosa

Major: Curriculum and Instruction

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy

The purpose of this study is to investigate differences between traditional conventional professional development and high quality reflective professional development and curriculum implementation of classroom practices. This study examined the extent to which professional development activities were associated with increased levels of curriculum implementation. Differences in curriculum implementation, teacher knowledge, and changes to teaching practice based upon the type of professional development that teachers have experienced were a focus of this study.

A sample of 132 prekindergarten teachers engaged in implementation of a newly adopted curriculum, High Scope, participated in the study. Professional development was provided for two consecutive academic years (2010-2011 and 2011-2012). Traditional professional development (lecture, large group, lower frequency, and no active participation) was provided during the first year. The second year, teachers participated in reform professional development programs (smaller groups, one location, consistent presenter, immediate on-going feedback/support, cohort/team approach, interaction, and a higher frequency of training sessions). Teachers completed a survey of the final day of the reform professional development session at the end of the 2012 school year. The findings were consistent with studies of significant professional development and the teachers' conclusions about how effective specific types of training influenced their understanding and implementing of the curriculum. The findings further supported the significance of immediate feedback and consequently the on-going classroom, phone, text, email, and other means of support for promoting the High Scope curriculum implementation in the prekindergarten classroom.

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