Research

ACER has undertaken a major national research project to investigate links between teacher professional development and student learning outcomes. The Department of Education, Science and Training, Canberra, through the Quality Teacher Program (QTP) commissioned the project, within its Commonwealth quality teacher initiative, Teachers for the 21 st Century. The project has examined relationships between teacher learning and improvements in student learning outcomes. Ten professional development programs were selected for intensive study. The effects of each program were followed in about eight schools during 2002.

A comprehensive review of relevant research literature was conducted to provide a theoretical framework for the study. The review focused on studies linking teacher learning to classroom practices and evidence of student learning outcomes, broadly defined.  It led to a set of propositions about the conditions that need to be in place if teacher learning through professional development programs is to lead to improved opportunities for student learning. These propositions have been tested across the programs and schools included in the study.

Commonwealth Department of Education, Science and Training

Marion Meiers

Download the report Investigating the links between teacher professional development and student learning outcomes by Marion Meiers and Lawrence Ingvarson from the DEST website.