Professional development and linkages to enhanced ….docx

Characteristics of professional development linked to enhanced pedagogy and children’s learning in early childhood settings:Best Evidence SynthesisJuly 2003Characteristics of professional development linked toenhanced pedagogy and children’s learning in earlychildhood settings:Best Evidence SynthesisOctober 2003This report is one of a series of best evidence syntheses commissioned by the Ministry of Education. It is part of a commitment to strengthen the evidence base that informs education policy and practice in New Zealand. It aims to contribute to an ongoing evidence-based discourse amongst policy makers, educators and researchers.The best evidence synthesis approach is being developed in collaboration with researchers. It draws together in a systematic way the available evidence about what works to improve education outcomes, and what can make a bigger difference for the education of all our children and young people.Prepared for the Ministry of EducationAuthors Linda Mitchell and Pam CubeyCopyright ? Ministry of EducationPO Box 1666WellingtonISBN 0-478-18773-4Web ISBN ISBN 0-478-18774-2t.nzCharacteristics of professional development linked to enhanced pedagogy and children’s learning in early childhood settingsBest Evidence SynthesisReport prepared for theNew Zealand Ministry of EducationLinda Mitchell and Pam CubeyJuly 2003New Zealand Council for Educational ResearchP O Box 3237WellingtonNew ZelaandCONTENTSACKNOWLEDGMENTSvexecutive SummaryviiEnhancing pedagogyviiContributing to child outcomesixBuilding linkages between early childhood settings and other settingsxEight characteristicsof effective professional developmentxStructural features of effective professional developmentxiiProfessional development programmesxiiParticipantsxiiProfessional development adviserxiiiOrganisation of the servicexiiiFurther investigationxivLinkages to outcomes for childrenxivPartnershipsxivStructural featuresxvService featuresxvResearch accessibilityxvintroduction1Approach to