Follow-Up, A Key Component of Successful Professional Development

Abstract

Inexperienced teachers\u27 perceived classroom effectiveness of their planning and preparation, classroom environment, instruction, and professional responsibilities domains were analyzed to determine the effects of active follow-up compared to information-based follow-up of classroom management training (N = 50). Inexperienced teachers enrolled in I Can Do It Classroom Management Training were randomly assigned to active follow-up to the training (n = 24) or information-based follow-up to the training (n = 26). As reflected by the pretest and posttest evaluation form measuring their perceived effectiveness in the domains of planning and preparation, classroom environment, instruction, and professional responsibilities, teachers participating in active follow-up of the training demonstrated statistically significant growth in each of the domains. Teachers participating in the information-based follow-up demonstrated little or no growth in each of the domains. Pretest-posttest and posttest-posttest analysis of perceptions of teachers engaged in active follow-up demonstrated significant growth in three of the domains identified in the professional development model and significantly higher classroom effectiveness scores than teachers engaged in information-based follow-up. The study\u27s results should encourage district officials to look at professional development and the type of follow-up included in staff development initiatives

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