Analysis of Professional Development Plan Research Paper

Analysis of Professional Development Plan - Research Paper Example This paper entails a critical analysis of professional development plan being followed by Jamestown Public School and its detailed comparison with plans developed by other few district schools. Critical evaluation This plan is intended to generate certain planned outcomes such as assisting students in making radical progress in yearly academic curriculums and triggering improvements in students’ reading and mathematical abilities. This in turn shall be influenced by enhancing skills and knowledge of teachers and nurturing them personally and professionally. Thus, the district uses extensive amount of data, collected from several assessment tests taken by students, to evaluate achievements of students, and utilizes information pertaining to teachers, collected through different surveying tools, to identify their needs for professional training and continuing education. These collection methods are very effective as this vital information is helpful in shaping objectives of the plan. One of the essential achievements of this plan is the participation of the entire faculty members in training sessions that enable them to develop coaching and mentoring tactics. This plan is also fruitful as it lays great emphasis on integrating technology into teaching methods so that the tutors stay updated with the latest technologies being globally adopted in educational fields. This plan covers a timeline of one complete year and schedules various constructive activities for teachers’ continuous development including training sessions on instructional techniques and workshops on best global practices. It is mandatory for all teachers to establish atleast one professional goal per annum that they shall achieve during the year. The district has allocated 5 days per year per certified teacher for professional development sessions, which seems inadequate for covering all aspects of development including reading, mathematics and technology. Financial aid for the plan s tems from three different sources including Federal Title IA, Title IIA and general funding. District hires various mentors and specialists to conduct workshops sessions and train teachers on modern teaching methodologies. A very useful scheme has been recently launched by the district whereby teachers have opportunities to spend one complete year with the specialized mentors to grow professionally. The plan, on the whole, is highly effective as it presents some valuable goals and strategies (North Dakota Professional Development Plan, 2013). Comparative analysis We also consider another development prepared by Maryland State Board of Education which primarily focuses on enhancing students’ learning, fulfilling teachers’ needs and complying with Maryland Teacher Professional Development Standards. Although, the objectives are similar to Jamestown’s, this plan highlights a pivotal point that the trainings must be tailored according to differing needs and intellec tual levels of teachers. A generalized training session becomes source of demoralization, frustration and wastage of resources as in the case of Jamestown. This plan emphasizes on developing analytical skills of teachers rather than instructional and communication proficiencies. While North Dakota has to offer a highly effective mentoring program for its teachers, Maryland only has generally accepted standards to follow and a state-approved curriculum that could be voluntarily

You are required to compar and contrast qualitative and quantitative Essay

You are required to compar and contrast qualitative and quantitative research methods - Essay Example It is the hope of this author that such a level of discussion and analysis will be beneficial with respect to providing a basis through which the reader can more effectively comprehend the differential between these two and seek to apply the approach that suits their needs and research goals to the highest degree. Finally, the two different research methods themselves will be illustrated by a short analysis and review of respective articles that illustrate how they can be leveraged within the field of nursing practice and inquiry. Firstly, before delving into the nuances and differentials the these two forms of research and methodologies, a discussion and analysis of the definitions of both qualitative and quantitative research will be performed. As such, qualitative research is ultimately a site exploratory research. As such, is often used to help understand or to find underlying reasons, motivations, or opinions with regard to specific topic. Moreover, it helps to generate insights into the specific issue and help to develop ideas or answers/hypotheses or further quantitative research as such, qualitative research oftentimes forms an introductory level of scope and analysis which further researchers can then focus on specific details or attributes of a given issue as a means of seeking to draw inference. Further, by providing trends and delving deeper into issues, qualitative research performs functions quite unlike quantitative research in that it can construct models of understanding concerning human feel ings, emotions, reactions, and thoughts. Whereas it is true that quantitative research can perform many of these same functions, the underlying nuances and differentials that it is oftentimes able to capture are greatly reduced as compared to qualitative research. Whereas an exhaustive listing of qualitative research methods is not