Date of Award

Spring 5-2009

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Education

First Advisor

Dr. Terry Reid

Second Advisor

Dr. Jay Anderson

Third Advisor

Dr. Kevin Kopp

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to discover the relationship between high quality professional development and student achievement in the state of Missouri as measured by the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP). The ultimate goal of high quality professional development is to provide tools for educators which increase student achievement. In the state of Missouri, the Regional Professional Development Centers are primary providers of high quality professional development. This study specifically focuses on the relationship between the high quality professional development activities offered by the Missouri Regional Professional Development Centers and its relationship to student achievement. The Missouri Assessment Program results of the school districts served by the Missouri Regional Professional Development Centers were compared to the percentage of teachers who participated in high quality professional development activities offered through the Missouri Regional Professional Development Centers. The purpose of these comparisons were to determine if a statistical significance exists supporting a relationship between the percentage of teachers who have participated in high quality professional development activities offered through the Missouri Regional Professional Development Centers and student achievement as measured by the MAP. The data in this study was analyzed using an Excel© spreadsheet. A Pearson Product Moment Correlation was used to determine the degree of association between high quality professional development activities offered through the Missouri RPDC regions and MAP indices in the areas of Communication Arts, Math, and combined indices of Communication Arts and Math. The results were analyzed and compared by individual Missouri RPDC regions to determine no significant relationship exists between high quality professional development activities offered through the Missouri Regional Professional Development Centers and student achievement as measured by the MAP.

Rights

Copyright 2009

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