Semester

Spring

Date of Graduation

2012

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Type

EdD

College

College of Education and Human Services

Department

Learning Sciences and Human Development

Committee Chair

Patricia Obenauf

Committee Co-Chair

David Callejo

Committee Member

Kim Rotruck

Committee Member

Sarah Selmer

Committee Member

Eva Toth

Abstract

Research indicates a strong need to incorporate professional development into a well-orchestrated reform effort. The Coalition of Essential Schools (CES) reform model for this failing school was selected by the county administration and a few select teachers as East Elementary School. The sustainability of the professional development provided by CES is the focus of this study.;This study concluded that East Elementary School was perceived by teachers as having sustainable professional-development components. Major findings included the following: (a) the teachers played a key role in sustaining professional development at this school, (b) professional development changed how teachers communicated with students at this school, (c) professional development changed how teachers established relationships at this school, and (d) the professional-development efforts were sustainable as a result of teacher commitment at this school.;This research adds to the sustainability of professional development as a form of supporting a failing school, by exploring the perceptions of a group of teachers at one Title I school. Implications for practice include allowing teachers to take part in decision making related to professional development activities and developing classrooms that sustain teacher motivation toward reorganization efforts.

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