Cited by 537Teacher Education and Leadership StudiesEarly Childhood Education and DevelopmentHuman Resource Development and Performance Evaluation

Professional development in early childhood programs: Process issues and research needs

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Sheridan, Susan M., Edwards, Carolyn Pope, Marvin, Christine A., Knoche, Lisa L.·2009·Early Education and Development

Abstract

In light of the current policy context, early childhood educators are being asked to have a complex understanding of child development and early education issues and provide rich, meaningful educational experiences for all children and families in their care. Accountability for outcomes is high, and resources for professional support are limited. As such, the early education field needs well-conducted empirical studies on which to base professional development practices. In this paper, we offer research directions associated with the processes underlying professional development, including areas in need of investigation that can inform the early childhood education field in terms of how professional development efforts exert their influence and produce meaningful change in practitioners' skills, behaviors, and dispositions. The paper highlights representative research from the professional development literature on its various forms/approaches and offers an agenda for research on the professional development process. Broad issues associated with the conduct of research on professional development, including considerations of professional development processes, participant characteristics, relationships, and sustainability are discussed.

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Research works printed but not linked: 8

  1. Abramson S Co-inquiry meetings for facilitated professional exchange Young Children: Beyond the Journal, Voices of Practitioner 2008 1 10 Available from http://journal.naeyc.org/btj/vp/pdf/Voices_Abramson_Co-Inquiry.pdf
  2. Bennett WE Small group instructional diagnosis: A dialogic approach to instructional improvement for tenured faculty Journal of Staff, Program, and Organizational Development 1987 5 100 104
  3. Greene K Professional development in inclusive early childhood settings: Can we create communities of practice through lesson study? 2004 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Unpublished doctoral dissertation
  4. Harvard Family Research Project Family involvement in early childhood education 2006 Spring Cambridge, MA Author
  5. Himley M Carini PF Another angle: Children’s strengths and school standards 2000 New York Teachers College Press
  6. Project Zero, Cambridgeport Children's Center, Cambridgeport School, Ezra H. Baker School, & John Simpkins School Making teaching visible: Documenting individual and group learning as professional development 2003 Cambridge, MA Project Zero
  7. Rhodes SM Hennessy E The impact of training on workers in early childhood education: An evaluation of the Foundation Course in Playgroup Practice Early Childhood Research Quarterly 2000 15 559 576
  8. Stremmel A The value of teacher research: Nurturing professional and personal growth through inquiry 2008 Available from http://journal.naeyc.org/btj/vp/pdf/Voices-Stremmel.pdf

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Authors
Sheridan, S. M., Edwards, C. P., Marvin, C. A., & Knoche, L. L.
Affiliations
University of Nebraska–Lincoln (US)
Venue
Early Education and Development
Published
2009-06
Volume
20
Issue
3
Pages
377-401
ISSN
  • 1040-9289 (ISSN-L)
  • 1556-6935
OpenAlex
W2015550424
Cited by
537
References
67
Citations by year
2026: 27 · 2025: 31 · 2024: 36 · 2023: 37 · 2022: 43 · 2021: 45 · 2020: 44 · 2019: 47 · 2018: 34 · 2017: 37 · 2016: 39 · 2015: 35 · 2014: 23 · 2013: 20 · 2012: 18
FWCI
54.79
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Early Education and Development (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • Lincoln (University of Nebraska) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
  • U.S. Department of Education
  • National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
  • Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (R01HD046135)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Education › Teacher Education and Leadership Studies
  • Social Sciences › Education › Early Childhood Education and Development
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Human Resource Development and Performance Evaluation
Keywords
professional development, early childhood educators, early childhood programs, research agenda, accountability, sustainability of professional development, participant characteristics

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