The effects of continuing professional development (CPD) though sprint on teacher classroom practices and student learning outcomes
Date
2011-05-19
Authors
Mazala, Chileya Mbasilu
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Abstract
This study looked at the effects of Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
through School Programmes for In -Service for the Term (SPRINT) on teacher classroom practices and student learning outcomes. The purpose of the study was to find out if SPRINT had any effect on teacher classroom practice and student learning outcomes. The target population was all Ndola high schools. The sample consisted of 196 respondents that is, five head teachers, five deputy heads, fifteen heads of
department, five School In- Service Providers (SIP), five Zone INSET Providers
(ZIP) and twelve teachers from each of the five schools and one Resource Centre
Coordinator. The sample also included one hundred grade twelve pupils, twenty randomly picked from each of the five schools Purposive sampling was used to select the schools, head teachers, heads of department, INSET providers and the subject coordinator. Teachers and pupils were selected using simple random sampling. Questionnaires, observations, interviews, Focus Group Discussions and documentary evidence were the research instruments used to gather
information. A review of relevant literature and its implication for CPD was undertaken to provide interrogation framework for this study. Guskey's five levels of evaluation
were used to structure the framework
Data were analyzed by identifying and categorizing significant themes relevant to
research objectives. The data were presented in form of tables, percentages,graphs and charts. Qualitative data from interviews were coded and emerging themes grouped into categories The themes and categories of initial data were compared with those of subsequent interviews. Categories were then regrouped to get the most significant categories and themes.The findings from this study indicated that teachers at all career stages expressed the desire to take part in Continuing Professional Development through SPRINT.Research findings also showed that SPRINT activities did impact on teacher
classroom practice basing on the twelve observable skills recommended by The
Ministry of Education. The findings from this study further revealed that SPRINT
had an impact on student learning outcomes as shown by the average scores of students whose teachers took part in CPD and those whose teachers did not.Average scores for the latter were lower than the former category of students.The findings further revealed that although there was evidence of the effect of CPD through SPRINT on teacher classroom practices and student learning
outcomes, this programme was hindered by weak organisational support.The results of the study showed that teachers were not enthusiastic about continuing with the CPD programme as it lacked adequate funding and support from both local administrators and the Ministry of Education. Teachers were not
involved in identifying training needs and as such did not feel they were the owners of CPD Teachers also felt that this kind of CPD did not help in career progression as the credit system was not effective.
At organizational level, this study found that policies and guidelines on how to
organize and manage CPD were lacking.CPD leaders also did not have adequate
training to prepare them for their roles. Because of this lack of training, CPD
leaders could not carry out assessment of the effects of CPD through SPRINT on
teacher classroom practices and student learning outcomes.On the basis of these findings, it is recommended that teachers should be in charge of their own CPD and be involved in needs assessment .Secondly, CPD
leaders should be properly trained for their role and they should have clear job
specifications. In addition, adequate funding for the programme should be made
available by both the Government and the School Administration. The Ministry of
Education also needs to formulate national policies and guidelines on management and evaluation of SPRINT .A standardized accreditation system which would enable teachers to experience career progression through SPRINT
should also be put in place. Lastly, CPD through SPRINT should be made research based with teachers having access to INTERNET and good library facilities.
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Keywords
Continuing professional Development-zambia