Implementation of the Study of Teaching in the DoDDs-Germany RegionIn 1989, Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS) implemented the Study of Teaching (TST), a staff development program for administrators and teachers to promote professional collegiality. A 3-year evaluation of program implementation in the Germany Region for the Office of Dependents Education was undertaken. This report documents evolving implementation strategy, participant perceptions, and whether schools changed in support of program goals. TST provides a framework for studying and observing teaching. It promotes teachers using increased awareness and knowledge to select strategies appropriate to the particular needs of their classrooms and students. TST implementation involves coursework and school-based interventions to develop schools into workplaces that encourage continued learning. The 3-year study involved 12 schools in the Germany pilot program. Data collection included 812 administrator and teacher interviews, 15 interviews with DoDDS-Germany regional and district officials, and 26 interviews with the TST coordinator and trainers for DoDDS-Germany. There were also teacher questionnaires, observation of TST-related activities, and relevant documentation from all levels of DoDDS. Results found that the program was a high priority for DoDDs. Most administrators and teachers viewed TST positively, though they had difficulty sustaining some TST-related activities over time. After 3 years, most schools were only somewhat conducive to TST goals. Program implementation was influenced by each school's receptivity to change. Eight recommendations are provided. Three appendixes present data on the number of school-based interviews, school-based interview questions, and teacher surveys. (Contains 10 tables and 12 figures.) (SM) |
Contents
DODDS AND THE STUDY OF TEACHING PROGRAM 336 | 3 |
STUDY APPROACH AND DATA COLLECTION | 11 |
IMPLEMENTATION IN THE GERMANY REGION | 17 |
Copyright | |
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12 pilot schools 12 schools administrators and teachers approach attendance Augsburg Böblingen changing the school Characteristics Influencing Program Cheerleader classroom observations curriculum Department of Defense described district drawdown Education Elementary School environment evaluation example Expectations for TST experience facilitators faculty feedback field interviews frequency of teachers Germany Region goals of TST implementation of TST improving in-service included Influencing Program Implementation initiatives instructional theories Kaiserslautern Kreuzberg leadership less conducive Ludwigsburg mixed pattern Munich district nontrained teachers observe other teachers organized participatory peer observations perceived percentage of schools principal's principals professional program goals promote TST promoting collegiality regional trainers resource teachers role scheduled School Characteristics school culture school level school-based activities Schwäbisch-Gmünd Schweinfurt sessions specific staff development program Study of Teaching study-group meetings take the TST talk teachers and administrators trained and nontrained trained teachers TST course TST program turnover Versus workplace