Effective teacher professional development: new theory and a meta-analytic test

Sam Sims (), Harry Fletcher-Wood (), Alison O'Mara-Eves (), Sarah Cottingham (), Claire Stansfield (), Josh Goodrich (), Jo Van Herwegen () and Jake Anders
Additional contact information
Sam Sims: UCL Centre for Education Policy & Equalising Opportunities
Harry Fletcher-Wood: Ambition Institute
Alison O'Mara-Eves: UCL Institute of Education
Sarah Cottingham: Ambition Institute
Claire Stansfield: UCL Institute of Education
Josh Goodrich: StepLab
Jo Van Herwegen: UCL Institute of Education

No 22-02, CEPEO Working Paper Series from UCL Centre for Education Policy and Equalising Opportunities

Abstract: Multiple meta-analyses have now documented small positive effects of teacher professional development (PD) on pupil test scores. However, the field lacks any validated explanatory account of what differentiates more from less effective in-service training. As a result, researchers have little in the way of advice for those tasked with designing or commissioning better PD. We set out to remedy this by developing a new theory of effective PD based on combinations of causally active components targeted at developing teachers' insights, goals, techniques, and practice. We test two important implications of the theory using a systematic review and meta-analysis of 104 randomised controlled trials, finding qualified support for our framework. While further research is required to test and refine the theory, we argue that it presents an important step forward in being able to offer actionable advice to those responsible for improving teacher PD.

Keywords: professional development; teachers; theory; meta-analysis. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 53 pages
Date: 2022-01, Revised 2022-01
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ure
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ucl:cepeow:22-02

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